Campus Living

Because the Middlebury College campus is entirely given over to the college-level Language Schools, the Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy is housed on the campuses of Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont, and Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio.

Green Mountain College

Founded in 1834, GMC has a 155-acre campus with multiple attractions for students. Open to MMLA students, outside of class or during other scheduled times, these include:

• athletic fields, a gymnasium, indoor pool, tennis courts, and full workout facilities;
• a college theater, student center, art center, and library;
• a student-managed organic farm.

Middlebury College is a 40-minute drive up scenic Rte. 30, and Academy field trips include a visit to the corresponding language program at the Middlebury Language Schools.

Oberlin College

Founded in 1833, Oberlin was the first institution of higher education in America to adopt a policy to admit students of colors and the first college to award bachelor's degrees to women in a coeducational program. Oberlin's picturesque campus will provide world-class facilities for our program. Oberlin's picturesque campus features one of the top-five college art museums in the country, one of the nation's most extensive library collections, and a world-class Conservatory of Music. 

Oberlin is located 35 miles southwest of Cleveland, and Academy field trips will include visits to local language-specific events and attractions.

Cultural events

Culture and language are inseparable, so the special events featured each evening may include hands-on culinary adventures, films and live theater, and student-created movies, music, and performance—all, of course, in the target language. In this way, students learn language and culture as one.

Field trips

Each Academy will take 3 field trips over the course of the session—all in the language, of course. For students at GMC, one of these field trips will be to Middlebury College so that MMLA students may interact with their counterparts at the Middlebury Language Schools. The other two trips will be determined by each language director, and might include a visit to a national park or museum.

Living Arrangements

Students live in college residence halls and may be placed in a single, double, or quadruple room, as determined by the student body and the space available. Roommates are chosen by age, gender, and language. Students may request a roommate if they are coming with a friend. We do not, however, guarantee roommate assignments. Please also note that, in keeping with the language-immersion environment, we expect the target language to be maintained at all times, including in the dorms.

There is at least one residential advisor for every 12 students. Residential advisors are fluent in their students’ language. For additional support, some faculty may also live in the dormitories.

Meals

Most meals are provided at the college dining hall, where students eat with their peers and faculty in their language academy. Special dietary requirements can be accommodated. Please indicate any special requirements on your application and by contacting our administrative office as early as possible.

Programs also feature barbecues, picnics, and informal snacks. If students are away on a field trip during mealtime, their meals will be provided at an alternative site. In such cases, the Academy may have less ability to meet individual dietary requirements.

Health and Safety

Each program site is led by trained faculty and staff who are experienced in working with middle and high school students. They are backed up by an on-site health office and nurse, with a physician on call and a hospital, if necessary, less than a half-hour away.

Before employment, all of our faculty and staff undergo background checks conducted by a third-party organization that specializes in staffing for youth programs. Medical forms must be completed before a student attends the Academy. Please be specific with any conditions we should be aware of.

We will stay in touch with parents and guardians if a child needs special assistance during the session. And we welcome all parental advice.

Communication outside Campus

To protect and preserve the integrity of the Language Pledge® and the immersion experience, we ask that students leave their cell phones and laptop computers at home. Any phones or laptops brought to campus will be checked in to the Site Office and stored for the duration of the session. Students are permitted to use office phones and computers at designated times. Should parents need to contact their child by phone, arrangements can be made through the Site Office. Exceptions to the Language Pledge® are made for these communications.

The MMLA staff, both on campus and at the main office, are highly responsive to queries and communications from parents. We aim to return any telephone message within 24 hours.