Merengue and Salsa lessons, international food nights, and various speakers on campus have marked the annual Intercultural Festival, which endeavors to promote diversity and multiculturalism at Tufts. But the festival is not the only time signs of foreign cultures abound on campus. Historically known for matriculating students from all over the globe, Tufts continually attracts a diverse student body, and international cultures have become an integral part of student life.
Outside of Intercultural Week, there are a number of venues that allow students to experience different cultures. The International Center and the International Club (I-Club), along with numerous culture organizations and specialty culture houses on campus, serve as a focal point for cultural activities on campus. And through informal interactions, international students bring unique perspectives and experiences to Tufts.
"Many international students are proud of their culture and are very eager to share their culture with the Tufts community," said Janie Bess, the assistant director of the International Center. "In many ways, they serve as ambassadors from their countries to the community at Tufts."
Throughout the year, the International Center, the I-Club, and the Davies House, commonly known as the I-House, arrange various events to promote cross-cultural activity on campus.
"The single most important vehicle for bringing culture to campus would be the clubs and their communities - especially their social events," said Sean McDermott, president of the I-Club. "Dances and parties are probably the crucial venue for interaction and learning. Just the fact that there are so many different cultures and languages... lends a great deal of culture to our everyday life."
Many international students said that campus diversity is an important part of their Tufts experience, and that variety of cultures makes them feel more at home. "Normally you might think that, because we come from so many different places, we don't integrate into the school culture. We're really comfortable here. We like it because its so international," said freshman Mariyana Radeva, who is from Bulgaria.
Tufts attracts students from over 103 countries, and 12 percent of the undergraduate student population is composed of students that are either not US citizens or US citizens that have lived primarily overseas. The most well-represented regions include Asia, specifically Japan, Latin America, and European countries like the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, and France. There is also a notable increase this year in the amount of students matriculating from Eastern Europe.
Despite their domestic backgrounds, American students thrive in the University's multiculturalism. I-Club events are generally well attended by Americans, and there are typically a few Americans on its board every year.
Many American students say that they appreciate Tufts' diversity because it increases opportunities to learn from different cultures. Some are concerned that Tufts is not diverse enough. "I think the diversity at Tufts is really one of its assets," freshman Rebecca Anderson said. "It's great because people have come from such different backgrounds. You really get a chance to see different perspectives."
Freshman Anna Kaltenboeck agrees, but said she has mixed feelings about diversity on campus. "[Diversity] adds to your perspective about world issues and world affairs, and there are a lot of student groups, but they don't really hold together well," she said. "It's almost like small communities in and of themselves."
Organizations within Tufts have been making various efforts over the last few years to further diversify the campus. The Senate, for example, created a Cultural Coordinating Committee this year, and the Arts and Sciences Office of Diversity Education and Development, was formed in 1997.
While many students complain that there is not enough diversity on campus, and it is not always easy to interact with different cultures, most international students seem pleased with their Tufts experience.
"The international experience adds tremendously to my university life and to what I get out of this school. It is one of the reasons I came here," McDermott said. "But at the same time, it really isn't the same for each of us. I get many things out of life here that my best friend may not, and vice-versa. Like all students here, it is simply a matter of what you put into your life."
