This fall, the Middlebury Institute welcomed 293 new students from 30 countries. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be featuring a series where freshmen share how they got to institute and where they want to go with their degree.
Climate change is a top priority for all international environmental policy students entering the Middlebury Institute, but there are different points of reference. Our planet is under great strain and stress. Freshmen at Middlebury Institute have had the opportunity to see it firsthand in different parts of the world.
Climate change concerns in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Benito Mutombo (Mbiacolo) MAIEP ’24, a Fulbright Scholar from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), said: “Climate change is a topic that the world is concerned about no matter where we come from, and there aren’t many experts where I come from,” she said.
Congo relies heavily on mining. He is home to the second largest forest in the world facing deforestation. There are also important fisheries under stress.
“People can’t fight if they don’t know where to start and how to negotiate,” she said. “We can diversify the economy.”
Changing conditions in Antarctica
Her classmate, Libby Mohn Mayep ’24, was recently thinking about another region: Antarctica. Over the summer she had the unique opportunity to travel there with her 2041 Foundation. The 2041 Foundation is named because the year will bring nations together to revisit the current moratorium on mining in Antarctica.
“One of my career goals is to be a part of these conversations,” Morn said.
At first, she was looking for graduate school “anywhere but the United States” until she found Institute.
“I got that emotional lift. An international school that focuses on intercultural competencies, and an environmental program that focuses on the social sciences, as well as a specific maritime focus, Monterey It’s the right place in
Read Libby’s thoughts on her trip to Antarctica.
