Middlebury School in Cameroon

Our visits to Pixillia and moavis_construction gave our students valuable insight into Cameroonian entrepreneurship and innovation. MOAVIS, a construction company, and Pixillia, a media company, are both led entirely by young, dynamic Cameroonians who are shaping the future through creativity, leadership, and hard work.

These visits were inspiring opportunities for our students to engage directly with local entrepreneurs and better understand the realities and potential of entrepreneurship in Cameroon.

Our visit to the Peace Corps office in Cameroon last week was an excellent experience. Our students had the opportunity to learn directly from the Peace Corps Country Director, a former volunteer, as well as from the program directors in education, health, and agronomy.

The visit provided students with a valuable opportunity to ask questions about Peace Corps service, the application process, and the experience of volunteering abroad.

Thank you very much for welcoming us Peace Corps Cameroon

We had a rich and thought-provoking discussion in our Intercultural Communication class this week on two key concepts: cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation.

After examining the theoretical foundations and several real-world examples, a student asked a powerful question: "So how do we actually avoid appropriation? Is it even possible? Should we avoid contact altogether if intercultural encounters carry risks?"

I was grateful he voiced this concern, because it's a question many students studying abroad quietly hold.

My response was that there is no magic formula.
Intercultural engagement always requires humility, awareness, and intentionality. But avoiding contact is not the answer. What does make a difference is how we show up. I introduced the 3 Rs Framework: Respect, Reciprocity, and Responsibility, borrowed from Indigenous ethics frameworks, as a practical way to reflect on our actions, minimize potential harm, and engage communities ethically.

Meaningful intercultural learning is possible, and it can be transformative. But it calls on each of us to approach others with care and accountability.

It was an enriching and important discussion that reminded us of the vital role thoughtful engagement plays in any intercultural encounter.

We had a rich class discussion today on cultural adjustment 😊
Two insights from students stood out:
1. What felt difficult at the beginning of the semester now feels normal, a sign of growth and adaptation.
2. The concept of time varies significantly across cultures, what it means, how it’s used, and how it shapes daily life in Cameroon, the US, and the UK.

We also explored key frameworks that help make sense of these experiences, including:
- The W-Curve Model of Cultural Adjustment
- The Lebowski Shock (unexpected moments of learning abroad)
- The Pyramid of Hate
- And Young Yun Kim’s (2001) Communication Theory of Intercultural Adaptation, also known as The Stranger’s Model.

It is always fascinating to see how theory and lived experience intersect in the classroom.
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To deepen our understanding of the ongoing political crisis in Cameroon, we recently hosted a leading political analyst who offered valuable insights into the country’s political history and contemporary challenges.

It was an enriching opportunity to explore the complex and unique socio-economic and political fabric of Cameroon, and to revisit the contributions of scholars and activists who have long engaged with these critical issues.

✨ Our students are truly fortunate to collaborate with the Center for Gender, Peace and Security (CEGEPS) — a leading independent research center in Cameroon dedicated to advancing gender equality and peacebuilding.

Through this partnership, the Middlebury School in Cameroon students have the opportunity to conduct research on Gender and Conflict Transformation alongside CEGEPS researchers. Over an eight-week research placement, they explore critical issues, engage with local experts, and produce a final paper published on the CEGEPS website: https://cgeps.org/accueil/

It’s been a deeply rewarding and transformative experience for many of our students: connecting academic inquiry with real-world impact.✨

✨ Building Global Connections through Homestays ✨
One of the most rewarding parts of the Middlebury program in Cameroon is the deep human connections that form between our students and their host families. Here, proud homestay moms share a beautiful moment with their U.S. students; a bond built on care, learning, and cultural exchange.
Beyond academics, these relationships nurture empathy, understanding, and lifelong friendship, the true heart of international education. ✨