Nicolas Mendia ’16

nicolas

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Major/Minor: Psychology and History

Email: nmendia@middlebury.edu

On-campus Activities: Mchaka Mchaka, MCAB (Middlebury College Activities Board), Tour Guide Coordinator, Posse Scholar

Commons: Ross

Why did you choose Middlebury?

Have you ever inched your way up to a pool you just know is cold and hesitated going in before you realized the best way is to just jump? Yeah. I never had that feeling being on the Middlebury campus. It just always felt like a warm, comforting pool to me that I could dive on into without fear of freezing to death or drowning. It was a really positive feeling. I also tell people that I could have lived in New York or LA any time of my life, but that choosing Midd was really the only time I could ever see myself living in beautiful-middle-of-nowhere-Vermont (I say that fondly).

Did you study abroad? Or are you planning to go abroad?

Nope! Middlebury is my study abroad. 

Favorite study spot on campus?

Greenhouse in BiHall. This is especially ideal in the winter months when it’s 0 degrees outside and the greenhouse is at least 60 degrees.

Favorite class or professor at Middlebury (or both)?

I went through a Midd Life crisis after freshman year, and scrapped half of my classes for new ones in September. They were both History courses, and one was called the Middle East since 1453. Without really realizing exactly what I was getting into, I signed up and soon had an epiphany. I actually liked learning about History. This was, in part, because of Professor Febe Armanios, head of the Middle Eastern Studies Department at Middlebury. She taught the class, and by the end of the semester, I had signed up for two more History courses with her in the Spring! That class led me to take on a History Minor, which was extremely unexpected but very rewarding to do!

Your biggest challenge adjusting to Middlebury?

Middlebury is largely not an ethnically diverse place, but it is working on it. I have not encountered a place where I could be such an agent of change in this respect. Middlebury has the potential to change. While it is very hard to be a person of color on campus at Middlebury, I am happy to say that the school as a whole has done and is working to create better spaces and groups to support students through that challenge.

Best Proctor Dining Hall creation?

(1) Garlic and Herb Panini Wrap
(3) Sheets of American Cheese
(4) Tomatoes
Put it all together and pop it in the Panini maker!

Advice for a prospective student?

Consider the environment (school, town) you come from when deciding on a college. Being a Chicago native, I could have done a little more pondering on coming to Middle of Nowhere Vermont (I say that fondly) when applying to college. I absolutely love Middlebury the town and the college because it has given me access to things that I would never have dreamed of going to college anywhere else. Just take some time weighing in what you lose and what you gain in an new environment when applying!
Also, have fun on your essay. It’s your one chance to show colleges your personality. If you can hand it to someone and have them say, “I feel like I am having a conversation with you in person in this essay” or something similar, you’ve done your job.

 

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