Study Abroad and the Political Science Major at Tufts
 "Studying abroad was one
of the best decisions I ever made. As a
political science major, to experience first hand what I studied and
discussed in my classes, was a mindblowing experience."
--Vivian Chu, Hangzhou, China
"I think any student who can should study abroad. For political
science majors, whether you are interested in American politics or
international politics, you need to learn about a variety of
countries and systems. You can only learn so much in the classroom,
though. Personally, I did not realize a lot of things about the
American political system until I looked at them from an ocean
away."
--Kathleen Kavanagh, Seville, Spain
Across the university, fully 40% of the student body studies abroad
during the Junior year, and Political Science majors go abroad at an
even higher rate. It is an enriching, rewarding experience that
complements Tufts' goal of helping students become informed,
well-rounded, independent thinkers and leaders.
Study anywhere
around the globe
Some students stay abroad for a semester, and others for an entire
school year. Some choose to go abroad on programs in
English-speaking countries: Political Science majors have recently
gone to Australia, England, Ghana, Hong Kong, Ireland, Kenya, New
Zealand, and South Africa. Others choose to go on programs in
countries whose languages they have been studying while at Tufts:
majors have recently gone to Chile, China, Cuba, the Czech Republic,
France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Morocco, the Netherlands, Peru, and
Spain.
Learn new perspectives on studying Political Science
Political Science majors learn different ways of studying politics
when they are abroad. They learn new tools and approaches in their
host countries that are hard to find in the American academy.
"If a student is interested
in a field of study, and the foremost experts in that field are living or
teaching abroad, why not study with them firsthand instead of just through
their books?"
--Shaun Young, Oxford, England
 "American Universities
have a certain approach toward teaching
political science that simply isn't present at universities abroad.
Whether you think a new approach is warranted or not, studying
abroad at least gives you the perspective to be able to make a
comparison and to critically approach the courses you take during
the rest of your time at Tufts."
--Justin Krypel, Oxford, England
Get a global perspective on politics
Political Science majors also witness
new kinds of political
activity, and talk to people with political beliefs and political
norms that challenge their own in ways that they would never have
experienced in the U.S. While those challenges don't always change
their minds about their beliefs, they do come away thinking harder
about their own assumptions and the values underlying them.
 "I was able to come into contact with a wider range of political
opinions than those that I encounter at Tufts and in the US in
general. I learned to be skeptical--to be intensely critical of the
US, but also critical of the Anti-American movement in Europe--and
this skepticism was especially important when the war on Iraq was
declared."
--Lananh Nguyen, London, England
"While I was on my fall break I had the chance to visit the 1930s
communist base at Yen'an. I ran into a couple of Chinese Army
officers who were eager to tell an American their opinions about
Iraq, Bush, Brazil, and the very popular Saddam Hussein. How
unnerving it was to see two PLA officers give a big thumbs-up to the
dictator of Iraq, yet what better way is there to learn about what
global politics really means?"
--Vanessa Baehr-Jones, Nanjing
and Harbin, China
"I find it immensely interesting how many things in Germany are
Government funded, and how people are more than happy to pay what
seems like a tiny 16% value added tax, and are so thankful for the
services they get for it. Seeing this different perspective on a
welfare state and caring for one's countrymen has been really
interesting."
--Claude Mendelson, Tübingen, Germany
Participate in politics abroad
Students in some countries are able to get firsthand experience of
international politics while they are abroad through internships in
government and in nonprofit organizations.
 "I have a year-long internship in Parliament, which has been the
most amazing and enriching experience. My security pass allows me to
travel anywhere in the building, unlike a tourist, and my MP has
allowed me to jump right in writing press releases, speeches, and
briefs. I have attended meetings of MPs and gotten an invaluable
first-hand experience in the British political process. Choosing not
take advantage of the abroad opportunities would be choosing to miss
out on what a Tufts education is all about."
--Anne Siarnacki, London, England
Learn about new cultures and ways of life and improve language
skills
Students living abroad can learn in even more depth about the
cultures and politics of parts of the world that they have studied
at Tufts. On their return to Tufts, they are better prepared to take
senior-level seminars and bring a richness of experience to courses
that they wouldn't otherwise have had. When they study in a foreign
language, they improve their language skills to levels that not only
allow them to communicate with others, but prepare them for future
international research.
 "In
Uganda, I not only had the opportunity to study sustainable
development at Makerere University, but I was also able to link
my studies to work while interning for leading NGOs and
government agencies in Kampala. While doing so, I made friends
and family in one of the more comfortable and modern nations of
East Africa."
--Carl Jackson, Kampala, Uganda
"The only way to really learn a foreign language is by studying in a
foreign country. You also learn that the political views that are
commonly attributed to a foreign country in the US can often be
wrong..."
--Daniel Kahn, Santiago, Chile
Learn to be independent and self-sufficient
While abroad, students are challenged to think in new ways and to
learn to live independently in unfamiliar surroundings. They learn
skills that will help them when they return to Tufts and for the
rest of their lives.
 "Being at Oxford helped me with my independence on all levels. The
tutorial system helped me become more independent academically, but
Oxford assisted me even more so in becoming independent in my
non-academic life. I was able to attain and support a sharpened
focus in more areas of my life."
--Shaun Young, Oxford,
England
"Being in Britain for a year challenged me to live and think
independently. During my travels, I became the foreigner, and was
forced to learn about and adapt to different places."
--Lananh Nguyen, London, England
Applying to study abroad
If you decide that study
abroad is for you, Tufts has many resources for you to use in
planning your study. The main resource is the Tufts Programs
Abroad Office.
Please visit the Office's website
for details about how to apply to study abroad, and also about how
to transfer credit from abroad. Credits from Tufts-sponsored
programs transfer automatically, but those from other sources must
go through a vetting process before they can transfer. On the
process of transferring Political Science credits, please see the
Political Science
Handbook for Undergraduate Majors
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