Dear Parents and Families,
As the academic year concludes, this will be the last newsletter before students return in September. We'll be back with more news and updates from campus in the fall.
In this edition, Academic Advising and the Career Center share some final thoughts going into the summer, and we feature Tufts Global Education. Planning early for an education abroad experience is important, so the summer is a good time to talk with your student if they're thinking about semester/year-long programs or a short-term option.
Congratulations to everyone who will be celebrating this weekend at Commencement 2023! We hope that you and your graduating student will stay in touch with the Tufts community.
Best wishes to everyone for a relaxing summer,
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Photo Caption: Tufts-in-Chile students trekking in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile, Spring 2022. Photo contest submission from Leo Westgard '22.
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Q&A with Associate Dean and Senior Director for Tufts Global Education Mala Ghosh
Education abroad is an academically and personally enriching experience for students from all majors. Most choose semester- or year-long programs during their junior year but may also consider sophomore or senior year, or short-term options. Applying for these programs is a multi-step process that begins the academic year prior to your student’s intended term abroad. Planning early is essential.
We caught up with Associate Dean and Senior Director for Tufts Global Education Mala Ghosh (pictured) who shared insight and tips about Tufts Global Education.
Q: Why is education abroad important?
MG: Tufts Global Education offers academic and personal exploration in a new cultural, community, and educational environment. Whether students choose a semester or three weeks, they further enhance their academic objectives, expand their international understanding, and achieve personal growth.
Q: What advice do you give students who are interested in participating in an education abroad program?
MG: Plan early! Our website it a good place to start. Take time to do research on program models, academic opportunities, partner institutions, country locations, housing, finances, and explore your own personal goals. We also encourage students to speak with our advising team, their faculty advisors, advising deans, friends, and family to learn more about what opportunities might work best for them as individuals.
Q: What are some of the differences between Tufts vs. External education abroad programs?
Q: What resources does Tufts Global Education team provide students who participate in education abroad?
MG: Our international team is available to provide individual student advising throughout the year, in person or virtually. Our division offers information sessions on Tufts Programs Abroad, External Programs, transfer of credit, budgeting, pre-departure preparation, in-country orientation, and re-entry. Our staff and faculty provide academic advising, DEIJ resources, comprehensive international health and safety support, and advice on international opportunities post-education abroad.
Q: How can parents and families support their students when they go abroad?
MG: Families should encourage their students to research and plan early. Often students must consider their academic majors, graduation requirements, personal commitments, and financial obligations 1-2 years in advance. Please empower your student to be the driver in their own experience and to manage the program deadlines. This is a critical part of the global learning experience. We offer 7 Tips to Help Your Student Plan for Education Abroad.
Q: Is there financial support for students to go abroad?
MG: Yes, there is financial support, but it will depend on the program and your family’s financial situation. For more information visit our Financial Considerations page.
Q: Is there anything else that you want parents and families to know about education abroad programs?
MG: International learning and living abroad will be a transformative experience and that means students may feel out of their comfort zone. Support and listen to your student as they get comfortable with being uncomfortable at times. The global competency skills and intercultural communication one will need and cultivate while abroad, requires independence, flexibility, patience, engagement, curiosity, collaboration, and open communication. Students will explore their place and role in the world through education abroad.
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Career Corner: Summer Career Building Activities for Your Student
Alongside opportunities for rest and rejuvenation, the summer is a great time for students to reflect on career goals. Here are a few low-stress options:
- Evaluate competencies and career readiness: Students can use these assessment tools to think about which competencies they’ve already developed and which ones they’d like to strengthen. (Hint: Try Virtual Work Opportunities for skill-building across a variety of areas.)
- Conduct career conversations: If this sounds intimidating, we remind students that they’re simply brief chats with people whose jobs sound interesting. Perhaps someone from The Herd, our flash mentoring platform, would welcome a 20-minute Zoom or phone call?
- Refine the resume: Who doesn’t love a shiny new resume?! Once your student has a draft, a Career Center advisor can offer feedback, in person or via Zoom
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Academic Happenings
Congratulations to your student on another successful year! This summer will hopefully be a restorative time for them to reflect on what went well this year and what they might want to adjust for fall.
Registration remains open if your student is still tinkering with their schedules. If they are enrolled in Tufts summer school, the important deadlines are all available via the University College website. If they are taking classes at a local institution over the summer, they should check out the Student Services website for information on transferring credits. If they are wrapping up incompletes, they should be in communication with their faculty member about expectations and deadlines.
Mostly, though, we hope that your student gets a break after a hectic year, gets to enjoy some downtime, and returns in September ready for an exciting new year! If they have any academic questions over the summer, encourage them to reach out to their advisor or their advising deans.
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| Dates to Remember
May 22 - at 12 p.m., residence halls close for graduating students and remaining students
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End of the Academic Year SurveyPlease share your feedback about parent and family programming and communications. This brief survey takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. Thank you!
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Helping Students of Color in the Sciences Thrive
Director of Tufts’ Center for STEM Diversity Grace Caldara focuses on developing programs to support students of color in the sciences.
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Class of 2023 Parents: Order the Senior Memory Book by May 31
The book will include senior portraits and highlights from this past year. Ordered books will be mailed to addresses provided during the ordering process in late July 2023.
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Tufts Summer Opportunities for High Schoolers and Professionals
Choose from a variety of online or on-campus available courses.
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Communications
Announcements, messages, and other communications are archived on the Family Engagement website.
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TuftsAlert
We invite you to enroll in the TuftsAlert system to be notified directly by text, phone, and/or email in case of significant emergencies affecting the Tufts University community.
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