Class of '11.5 weathers a chilly orientation

Author: Rachael Jennings

Think back to your first few weeks at Middlebury, when you were struggling to remember roughly 2,000 new names, find your way around campus, balance four new classes and learn to live with a stranger. Add to that the pressure of jumping into the College's social scene halfway through the school year, and you can see why some Feb admits could potentially feel overwhelmed. But talk to any member of the Class of 2011.5 - the newest new kids on the block - and you will likely find them confident and ready.

The 102 new faces on campus are excited, nervous, curious and sometimes lost. They are faces that have seen the world, captured new languages, converged with new cultures and probably still reflect tans from the climates of their past journeys.

Those adventures seemingly included every type of activity and spanned every corner of the globe - even the farthest reaches of the Southern Hemisphere, in a few cases. David Croitoru '11.5 did conservation work in New Zealand and then traveled alone in Australia, where he ended up meeting two other Febs completely by chance, until he ran out of money and headed home. After waiting tables in the fall, Phebe Meyers '11.5 spent seven weeks traveling in New Zealand, the Cook Islands and Fiji before doing an internship with biologists in Costa Rica, where she learned about tree species and tagged birds. Amanda Warren '11.5 also journeyed to both Australia and New Zealand before learning how to build her own sea kayak at boat-building school in Maine.

Another world traveler, R.J. Adler '11.5 improved his French in France, worked at a vineyard in Switzerland and taught English and Drama in South Africa. Before some relaxation in Hawaii and a stint at a therapeutic equestrian center in Maine, Kaitlynn Levine '11.5 honed her research skills in a lab where she studied the carcinogenic properties of lunar dust. Ross Brockway '11.5 also worked, spending his days at a thrift store called Thriftsmart and interning at his church, where he made videos and even wrote some sermons. Mike Gaskin '11.5 experienced a healthy balance of employment and travel, clocking hours at outdoor store R.E.I. in addition to visiting Ecuador, where he "climbed a big mountain and planted a lot of trees."

The excitement will only continue for these enthusiastic students, except this time the new locale will be a charming (if slightly less exotic) small town nestled between Vermont mountains, where no one needs stoplights and everyone knows each other. What do they think of this fresh escapade in comparison with their previous feats? If their orientation was any indicator, then it is safe to say that they will be happy with their newest location.

"Feb Orientation is the best thing that's ever happened to me," Gaskin said.

Gaskin's view was shared by many of his fellow Febs, who came to the consensus that a dry orientation helped them meet and befriend more people. Warren commented that their square dance during orientation was "wholesome" in comparison to that of the Class of 2011, which involved alcohol and streakers.

Besides the square dance, the Class of 2011.5 enjoyed snowboarding at the Snow Bowl, eating a family-style dinner together at the Lodge, dancing and laughing at a Doughboys concert and participating in a few fun mixers and "getting to know you" activities.

Levine described orientation as "one giant group therapy session" - in fact, the entire Feb class partook in a group hug in the middle of McCardell Bicentennial Hall.

"It might have been dorky, but we didn't think of that," Levine commented.

After group therapy sessions and a lot of fun, the new Febs are just itching to start the spring semester. However, there are feelings of anxiety and uncertainty as well. They are nervous about classes, prioritizing and juggling all of their options and the new life to which they must adjust.

"I sat in on one hour of college class - that's all I've ever seen of college," Gaskin said.

Nervousness aside, the Class of 2011.5 already seems to have a healthy dose of class pride.

"I love being a Feb," Adler said. "It's like entering a frat right when you get into college and people are so happy to see you. It's a big part of my identity that I'm happy to have all over campus."

Based on their fascinating "Febmesters," these new students all have interesting stories to tell. So, stop a member of the class of 11.5 to chat and let them know that you are as glad to have them on campus as they are to be here.