LIVING
CULTURE & CLIMATE: THE NEW
For many students, college represents the first time they have left their home communities in search of a new educational and community environment. Situated in an idyllic New England suburb in Medford/Somerville, Massachusetts (just five miles from Boston!), Tufts draws students from all over the country who are looking to become part of its intellectually stimulating and supportive community. At the same time, Tufts recognizes that finding your home on-campus is important, and supports students in seeking their home-away-fromhome on the Hill. We chatted with current Tufts students from the Southern and Southwestern US to learn more about their transition to life in the Northeast and how they have found familiar comforts despite being many miles away from home. BY JOSH COHEN ’24
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Matias Cattani ’24 from Houston, Texas majoring in biopsychology What is the U.S. South/Southwest transplant experience like? My experience moving to the Northeast was great overall. With time, everyone naturally and easily gets acclimated to living and studying in the Northeast! I’ve really enjoyed being in a new geographical region, as it’s allowed me to explore different cultures and experience a completely new side of the US. How has moving to New England been great? How has it been difficult? Moving to New England has been great since it’s allowed me to interact with different groups of people who grew up in all areas of the United States. I love that Boston and other cities in the Northeast are extremely walkable and offer great public transportation since it has allowed me to explore cities easily! I wasn’t expecting there to be a large cultural shock, but there definitely are some fundamental cultural differences between the South and the Northeast. Adjusting to these differences was difficult at first, but this is just part of moving to any new city! Emily Kemp ’24 from Tampa, Florida majoring in computer science What is the U.S. South/Southwest transplant experience like? Everyone I have met at Tufts has been friendly and welcoming, and I have loved experiencing all of the wonderful things New England has to offer. Even though I am farther from my family than some of my friends who are able to drive a few hours home on the weekends if they are feeling homesick, I have made connections and relationships that make Tufts feel like a second family.
