Studying abroad in the US

Approximately 40 percent of University juniors study abroad to learn a language, enjoy a different country's culture and lifestyle, or simply get away. Presently, Maria Antonieta Palma, a senior at the Universidad de Chile is studying at Tufts for her year abroad. Palma faces the same cultural differences, language barriers, and homesickness that other study abroad students face, but from the other side, as a student abroad in the US.

Tufts Daily: What made you decide to come to Tufts?

MAP: I was applying to go to Australia, then I found out about Tufts University. I heard that it was a prestigious university here, that's why I decided to come.

TD: Why did you decide to study in the US?

MAP: Of course, I needed to practice my English. And also, I think that people outside [of the US] don't have a good opinion on Americans, so I wanted to see for myself. I discovered that they were wrong, all wrong.

TD: What are your impressions of Americans now?

MAP: People here are nicer than what people say. They're very polite. They're warm and welcoming to people outside, or at least that's what I've found. Especially at this university, there's many foreign people here.

TD: Many American students who study abroad choose to live near a major city to take full advantage of its cultural offerings. How do you like living near Boston?

MAP: I like Boston a lot, much more than Santiago, the city that I live in. [Boston] might look a boring city, I've heard that people say that, but it's not. I think I love it. I have fallen in love with it. It's not fast like New York, but it's not the country. It's traditional. I like it.

TD: You live in the Spanish House on campus. How has that helped you adjust?

MAP: All the people in this house speak Spanish. I don't feel different and I feel part of a community.

TD: Are there many other students who are like you, studying abroad at Tufts?

MAP: Yes. We're a group of more or less 12 students from Germany, France, Spain, Japan, all over. We're all here for the year and we're all friends.

TD: Do a lot of Chilean students study abroad?

MAP: I am the first person to come here from my school [Universidad de Chile]. I am the first to come study in Boston, other students have studied in California.

TD: What has been difficult for you in your adjustment?

MAP: Language is a very important thing. Most of my words were British words -- that's what I learned [in Chile]. Here, I've learned about language from my friend from Mexico, who has been helping me with language and with culture shock. Other things like food were very difficult to get used to. Everything here is fast. You get a burger and fries, it's fast. You eat quickly here. There, there's more homemade food. And the music. In the beginning I didn't like the music, but now I love it. I didn't like it at first because it wasn't Latin music.

TD: What are any other cultural differences you have observed or experienced?

MAP: In America in general, people are very hardworking. At least in my country, we're not that competitive. We don't always read everything [for class]. Here, I feel like I have to or I'd be the only one not to read, there, I'd be the only one who has actually read.

Also, here, people are much more independent and that was part of my getting used to life here... In Chile, I live at home. I have three sisters and my house is full of people, it's noisy. When I get home here, I am alone, and it's not like that at my house.

TD: Has the University provided you with any extra academic help?

MAP: I don't have many problems because all my classes are in English in Chile. My teachers there have all studied abroad or are native English speakers. I have had four and a half years of my classes being in English.

TD: What else has helped you adapt to life at Tufts?

MAP: I'm a TA of Spanish. Something that helped me adapt are the classes I'm giving, I'm always very busy. I don't have time to miss my family, my country, I don't have time to think about it. I have seven conversation groups now, last semester I had eight. I really enjoy [the conversation groups], I like it. I have such fun with them and I learn with them. I love to teach. It has helped me confirm what I want to do in the future.

TD: Do you have any advice for students, from here or elsewhere, who are thinking about going abroad?

MAP: They just have to. It's an experience that's priceless. It's something that helps you grow, learn... it's different in the beginning to get used to all the things you'll encounter there, but then you don't want to go back to your country... it'll be something that you'll value for the rest of your life. And of course learning the language. It's the only way to learn the language perfectly, well -- almost perfectly.

TD: What are you doing after Tufts?

MAP: Finish[ing] my studies there [in Chile] and [pursuing further studies]. I'm going into teaching, so I'm finishing linguistics and then beginning Education. I go back on May 15, I don't want to go. I do miss my family and I want to hug them all. But, I've met a lot of nice people. It will be hard to leave them, to say goodbye.

TD: Do you think you'll come back to the US again?

MAP: I hope so.

TD: What are your future plans?

MAP: I'd love to come to the States and work here as a teacher of Spanish, but with all the political problems in the country and the world, it's hard to get a visa. But it's part of my plans and I hope to make it part of my life.