Following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, many universities across the United States opened their doors to Tulane University students who were seeking a place to study during the fall semester as the cleanup continued in New Orleans.
Tufts was one such institution. It admitted 40 undergraduates - eight of whom were seniors - to the Medford campus until Tulane could reopen its doors. Seniors were in a particularly unique situation, as they were forced to leave established friends, half-completed senior theses and a familiarity with their campus and surroundings.
In January, the Tulane campus reopened for the spring semester. And this past week, the Tulane seniors graduated and left New Orleans, but continue to reflect on their experiences at Tufts and their lives ahead after college.
Coming to Tufts as a senior neuroscience major, Morgan Katz had difficulty finding the classes she needed to take to complete her major.
"It's really hard to find classes that fit your major when you're a senior at another school, because you're so specialized by that point," Katz said. "I couldn't find all of the classes that I needed at Tufts, so I didn't take that many." As a result, in addition to taking three classes at Tufts, Katz took a part time job at Tufts Medical School, which was geared more towards her field of study.
Katz, a Baltimore, Md., native, hopes to become a neurologist, but will be taking time off before attending medical school. She will work in Baltimore and hopes to do medical research at Johns Hopkins.
In terms of the social life at Tufts, Katz lived in an off-campus apartment which made it complicated to make many friends.
"Your senior year, you want to be at your own school," Katz explained. "It was just really stressful trying to figure out classes, your social life and living situation in such a short time."
For Tulane senior Jenny Durkin, the decision to attend Tufts was an easy one, as the proximity of her hometown in Cambridge, Mass., provided an easy commute. Durkin's mother also attends Tufts and is pursuing a graduate degree in child development.
"Everything happened so fast," Durkin said. "We didn't get to think about it much. My decision was easy because I lived so close."
Next year, Durkin, a double major in ecology and communications, hopes to teach English in Thailand with Global Service Corps, but aspires to one day become an event planner.
Academically, Durkin found that the difficulty of Tufts courses were very similar to her courses at Tulane. She particularly liked taking an Anthropology course that is not offered at Tulane.
Socially, however, Durkin felt the "freshman feeling" all over again when she came to Tufts.
"We didn't know our way around campus or any of the buildings," Durkin explained. "As a senior, you're used to seeing people you know everywhere you go. We definitely didn't have that."
In addition, Durkin found that Boston nightlife differs substantially from that of the Big Easy. "Bars stay open until 6 a.m. in New Orleans. It's really a different way of life," she said.
With over 300 Tulane students in the Boston area last fall, Tulane students at Tufts were able to spend time with their college peers.
Tulane senior Andrew Ryba says that he spent most of his time with other Tulane students.
"I wasn't really involved in meeting new people at Tufts. I didn't really have a sense of finding a group of friends because I knew I was going so soon," Ryba said. "I wish I branched out more, but I really didn't."
The chemical engineer from Chicago is, however, grateful for the time he was able to spend at Tufts. With tough demands from the chemical engineering department at Tulane, Ryba was never able to take a semester abroad. "It was great to live in a different city," Ryba said. "I never went to Europe or traveled abroad, so it was like my semester away from Tulane."
Next year, Ryba will work at an engineering firm outside of New Orleans. The senior does not, however, plan on becoming an engineer, as he hopes to attend business school in the future.
According to the Tulane students, the most difficult part of the experience was the uncertainty over whether Tulane would reopen in the spring. Seniors, in particular, were ecstatic when they found out they would be able to spend their last semester back in New Orleans.
"The reaction coming home was absolutely amazing," Ryba said. "The camaraderie is fantastic. Everyone is really happy to be back with their friends."
According to Katz, public services in New Orleans, like garbage pick-up, are often delayed, but the city is slowly gaining momentum. "Everyone in New Orleans is really positive and understands everyone has been through a lot," he said. "We're really happy to be home. I love it here."
