Many Opportunities for Undergraduates
Political Science Majors
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.
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
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, please visit the
Tufts'
Programs Abroad 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, soon to be posted here. Additional information on Study
Abroad can also be found at
Tufts' Undergraduate Admissions.
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