Taking a year's respite from Tufts and studying in Paris has broadened my horizons and given me perspective on my previous two years in Medford. Before you stop reading because of these banalities straight out of study abroad literature, take a second and think about what lessons you will remember from Tufts five, ten or 40 years down the road.
I know what I will remember, and it's not the structure of a white dwarf, the effect of inflation on bond prices, or even the third person pluperfect of "to be" in [required language of choice].
I have taken away priceless real world lessons from Tufts: experiences that will benefit me throughout the rest of my professional and personal life. I learned to lie, cheat and steal.
Sitting in my apartment in Paris, surrounded by stale baguette, coffee cups, and other token French items is an interesting place to come to this conclusion. However, while thinking about what I was learning here, I was forced to compare it to Tufts.
The university I am studying at is (in)famously reputed as the first step in a long line of competitions, courses and backstabbing to make it as a French politician.
Now we all know the standing jokes about politicians, let alone French hommes politiques. They have their mistresses, secret envelopes of cash and extravagant apartments semi-legitimately provided by the taxpayers.
However, from my experience to date, it seems these real world values are notably absent in the tradition of the Institut d'Etudes Politiques. It seems I may actually walk away from a university with an academic experience to remember.
But back to the future alma mater. Because of the nature of American universities, it is difficult to delineate between classroom and extra-curricular lessons. As the Office of Residential Life and Learning proudly states in its name, all 24 hours of your days at Tufts are part of the education.
However, this issue extends beyond dorms, as every aspect of our "community" is regulated by University guidelines. Clubs, teams, Greek life and even our meals are all branded with "Pax et Lux."
Anyone who has been involved with an authority figure at Tufts has learned the virtues of lying first hand. When the RA knocks on your door Friday night, you hide the beer cans, slap yourself in the face, and pretend like you were studying for that darn comparative politics exam next Thursday.
If you go to Health Services, or even an outside hospital, Tufts creeps its way in. As a minor, there can be absolutely no relationship with alcohol. It's better to deny everything then to find yourself sitting in counseling or across from a dean.
Some students may go so far as even to take these lessons into the [gasp!] classroom. "Oh I'm really sorry professor, I had a virus on my computer, I'll turn in the paper as soon as I can pull up the files." Or one can take the other road. "Whoops, I can't believe I forgot to attach the document!"
There is nothing to be gained by being honest. If you apologetically tell the RA you were drinking in the dorm room, you are faced with the same consequences as if you get caught lying. Students soon learn to transpose these lessons, where they can get that extra day to work on a paper or even become more adept and comfortable lying.
The rigidity of the system has also led to another necessary evil, stealing. To take the simple example of the dining halls, one is almost required to pocket some extra food to prevent the meal plan from being a losing endeavor.
By being forced into hundreds of meals per semester, freshmen and sophomores need to take an extra sandwich or some fruit simply because their schedule doesn't fit TUDS'. Since they won't use half their meals anyways, simply to recuperate what they paid for, nicking some food becomes an obligation.
Now of course there is a both a necessity and obligation to impose these rules. There is no interest in going into the under-21 or academic honesty debate. We all understand Tufts needs to cover its derriere from insurance and legal hassle.
However, there needs to be some distinct thought about what sort of values Tufts is imposing given their rule methodology. If the University is going to permeate every aspect of our lives for four years, it should be clear about what is happening.
But instead of critiquing Tufts, maybe I should thank them. I have probably spent more time trying to out-weasel the University than I have on homework.
I have gained practical experience; I'll be better prepared for backstabbing and twisting through the rules than competitors. So in just over a year when it comes time to pick up my diploma, I will have something I can be proud of.
Tufts has bestowed me with a formative experience in the liberal arts of lying, cheating and stealing.
Mark Phillips is a junior majoring in international relations.
