Students come to study abroad in Somerville

Tufts is known in the academic world for its global perspective and opportunities. The student body itself contains hundreds of foreign students from a multitude of nations and 40 percent of students, nearly four times the national average, spend at least one semester abroad.

It is a little known fact that every Tufts-sponsored study abroad program has a reciprocal agreement through which foreign exchange students are sent to Medford. The program is small -- typically 20 students visit each year -- but they bring a unique perspective to the University, having already studied at an institution abroad.

This year's group represents nine different countries from Africa, Asia, and Europe. There is a diverse range of academic interests among the students, from philosophy to political science to economics. Many, as well, hope to improve their English skills.

"The college system here, I wouldn't get that anywhere else in the world," Camille de Sentenac, a student at the prestigious "Institut D'Etudes Politiques" in Paris, said.

The students in general agreed that it not the difficulty that sets Tufts apart from their home institutions, but it is the small class sizes, the personal attention from professors, and the depth of services offered that makes Tufts unique.

Most exchange students were surprised at the dedication of Tufts students to their academics, as well as the fact that classes have weekly assignments. At many of their home institutions, classes typically do not require regular coursework and attendance. Nevertheless, students have adjusted to the United States system.

"I'm more motivated to study here. I think it's the environment and the professors," Patricia Lam of the University of Hong Kong said.

Some students have specific reasons for coming to Tufts. Mario Santos-Sousa of Madrid was inspired by works on epistemology and other topics by faculty in the Philosophy department. Other students cite personal growth and development as the primary draw.

The number of activities and facilities available is an attractive attribute of the University as well.

"I really find it crazy because there are so many things to do on campus. The activities are amazing," said Sentenac, who is involved with the Model U.N. program, a choir group, and the Tufts Equestrian club.

Director of Tufts Programs Abroad Sheila Bayne affirmed the importance of extracurricular activities for exchange students. "For them, as for Americans who go overseas, what you to in the classroom is important and rich but what you do outside the classroom is even richer," Bayne said.

Taking that idea to heart, many of the visiting students have already traveled extensively, including a group-wide trip to New York that they organized themselves.

Others have traveled to California, Las Vegas, and Montreal and many are planning spring vacations to places such as Key West and Cancun. They report being eager to experience the "real American spring break" despite expressing aversion to the short, alcohol-based parties they have attended at fraternities and other houses.

"I was surprised at how the social life and alcohol here are so closely linked," Turpin said.

Turpin and others also expressed frustration at the United States' "draconian age" restrictions on drinking and entering bars and clubs. "They should definitely change the drinking age if they want more international students, especially [short term] exchange students," he said.

A more serious obstacle to successful participation in life at the University was the recent change in immigration policy following the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. During the absorption of the Immigration and Naturalization Service by the Department of Homeland Security and the creation of the new Citizenship and Immigration Service, there was a delay in the exchange programs' ability to update their procedures.

No current exchange students at Tufts were affected, but many of their friends at home cancelled plans to study in the United States.

Ritter was advised by university officials to look into study in Australia or Great Britain instead of the United States.

Exchange students are quick to point out that their experience here has not been marked by the xenophobia they were warned about prior to departure.

"[We're] kind of shielded from the real America because Tufts is so liberal," Eva Gottwald , who studies in Tubingen, Germany said. "You don't encounter all of the prejudices."