From its founding in 1800, Middlebury College has evolved into one of the premier American liberal arts colleges. Its demonstrated excellence is well known in the areas of writing and literary studies, language study and pedagogy, global understanding, and environmental awareness and study. With nearly 2/3 of the students spending at least one term off campus and 10 percent of the students coming from more than 70 countries other than the United States, the international perspective for which the College is famous, becomes fully integrated into the educational experience.