Award-winning education abroad program

From six-week summer programs to semester-long, or year-long options, students at Tufts enjoy a wide range of study abroad opportunities regardless of their class year or major. Whether students have extensive international experience or have never traveled outside of their home state, Tufts-in Madrid actively incorporates a consciousness of intercultural borders into its programming. In recognition of these efforts, the study abroad program was recently selected as the recipient of the 2022 Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion in International Education (EDIIE) in the Institutional/Organizational award category of Student Engagement and Support. Located in Madrid, the program is operated as Tufts-Skidmore Spain in partnership with Skidmore College.

Tufts in Madrid, a Tufts Program Abroad through Tufts Global Education emphasizes respectful, critical engagement with social issues in Spanish history and culture. According to program director Dr. Susan Sánchez Casal, “DEIJ practices and resources are critical to the support, growth and development of our students.” Intercultural focus groups in the first month of the program allow students to discuss their experiences with one another and examine their own positionality in relation to Spanish society. The program also offers student-led identity affinity groups that provide community support for students of color and queer students who may face unique challenges while studying abroad. Additionally, program staff, faculty, affiliated host families, and Spanish peer mentors receive training in the principles of anti-racism.

These efforts have resulted in an award-winning global program for students. “Tufts-Skidmore Spain has created an antiracist, student-centered culture where intellectual achievement at the highest level takes place within the framework of diversity, justice and student care” stated Mala Ghosh, Associate Dean of Tufts Global Education.

Diversity Abroad is the leading membership organization that inspires and supports educators, policy makers, industry professionals and other stakeholders in leveraging global educational programs to support the academic success, interpersonal development, and career readiness of students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. “This award inspires us to keep improving and growing, to better serve our increasingly diverse student body, and to inspire others in the global education field to do the same,” says Sánchez Casal.