Student interest in Tufts' abroad programs is strong despite fears of attacks on Americans traveling in foreign countries following the Sept. 11 terrorists attacks. The majority of students studying at foreign institutions have chosen to remain overseas, and there is no decline in enrollment for abroad programs next year, according to the Office of Study Abroad.
All 280 students signed up for fall semester or yearlong programs abroad received an e-mail after the attacks offering them the option to cancel their plans without incurring a financial penalty. Residential Life guaranteed housing to any students who changed their plans, and officials in the study abroad office said they would ask professors to accommodate these students in their classes. The University also offered to help students enrolled in non-Tufts programs to abrogate their monetary obligations.
Of those who planned to study abroad, only six students chose to stay at Tufts, according to Sheila Bayne, associate dean of programs abroad. Four of those six students - two of which were enrolled in Tufts programs - cited fears about traveling as the reason they changed their minds. On average, two students cancel study abroad plans each year.
According to Bayne, the terrorist attacks have enhanced the importance of studying abroad, and few students are scared away. "We need to engage ourselves with the world, and understand what it is to think in a different way," she said. "Without this we can't learn to be responsible."
Tufts-in-London was the only program delayed by the tragedy. Fifty three students were scheduled to arrive in Britain for orientation on Sept. 13, but the starting date was rescheduled. All 53 are now attending class in London.
Some students have expressed concerns that an escalating US-led war in Afghanistan could endanger Americans travelling abroad. In evaluating student safety, Tufts follows the US State Department's travel advisories - if the government advised Americans to evacuate foreign regions, Tufts would work with that nation's embassy to facilitate an "orderly and safe departure," Bayne said.
The State Department has advised Americans to keep a low profile when traveling abroad, avoid tourist areas, and to not flaunt their American identity.
"Our students would not normally be identifiable as an American group if they are speaking the language, attending class at the university, and spending time with native speakers, which makes them virtually indistinguishable," Bayne said.
The Sept. 25 Study Abroad Fair was "by far the largest and best attended" to date, according to Bayne. Study abroad programs continue to expand, and new programs in China and Hong Kong will be inaugurated this spring. Tufts-in-Ghana is scheduled to reopen next fall.
As for the spring 2002 semester, students face a Nov. 30 deadline for submitting leave of absence forms. Until after the forms are due, it is impossible to say how many students are planning to study away from the Medford campus. Some have already said that their parents are concerned about their safety.
But according to Bayne, students are as safe abroad as they are at home. "Paris and Madrid are no less safe than Boston or Chicago," she said.
So far, most students seem to agree, and few are willing to derail their academic plans. "Sure, it made things a little more difficult, with general insecurities about other governments," said junior Amanda Schupak, who hopes to study in Kenya. "My parents are afraid of sending me to Africa when they don't really know what things will be like in three months." Despite her parents' concerns, however, Schupak says she will apply.
While students may not feel unsafe in foreign countries, many say they fear being isolated from family and friends in the event of another attack. "You can't live your life out of fear," said sophomore Jill Bier, who plans to study in Australia during her junior year. "Australia is so far away that I'd be safer there, but it would be harder to get back if I needed to be with my family."
Americans are the only ones afraid of terrorists. Many international students here say they felt safer at Tufts than in their native countries. "In the Philippines, we also have terrorism. I thought in the United States I'd be safer," said sophomore Myra Valenzuela.
Students considering abroad programs in Israel have generally been less optimistic. An average of 13 students study in Israel each year, according to Foreign Study Advisor Sally O'Leary. This fall, few students are considering study in Israel.
"I would love to go to Israel but my mom won't let me even consider it," Bier said.
