AROUND TOWN
TUFTS 1+4:
A YEAR THAT TRANSFORMS ALL THAT FOLLOWS CUENCA, ECUADOR SERVE: Teach workshops and English classes to local artisans who create indigenous crafts, and help them market and sell their wares through photography and graphic design. Other placements in nonprofits, government agencies, and local schools allow students to work on issues like education, biodiversity, and social impact.
“College town” takes on new meanings for participants in the Tufts 1+4 Program—ranging from a lush tropical island to a 1,000-year-old city. As these incoming students undertake a year of service learning before beginning their academic studies on campus, their unique sites serve as settings for transformational experiences—and plenty of adventures.
SERVE: Help promote the arts at an underserved school by directing a student play—everything from writing the script to creating costumes—about an issue in the local community. A teaching placement in India combines supporting students in the classroom with opportunities to lead activities that you are passionate about, from art classes to athletics.
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FLORIANÓPOLIS, BRAZIL SERVE: Work with monkeys, penguins, reptiles, and more at an animal rescue center where you will help rehabilitate injured animals before releasing them back into their natural habitats. Other placements in the arts, education, and social entrepreneurship allow students to work with community organizations across the city.
EXPLORE: Florianópolis is located on a spectacular island with an endless array of natural wonders to enjoy. You can take a swim at more than 40 beaches, explore sand dunes and rainforests, hike to waterfalls and outlooks, and take up surfing or paddle boarding. A favorite weekend activity might be hiking with your host family to Morro da Coroa for stunning views of the ocean, followed by a nice cool bowl of açai at a sidewalk café.
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY EXPLORE: History buffs and culture enthusiasts will never run out of sites to visit in Hyderabad: from ancient mosques and temples to stunning palaces and forts. Spend your free time learning to cook Hyderabadi biryani with your host family, taking a Bollywood dance class, or ascending the stairs of the iconic Charminar minarets for magnificent views of the city below.
SERVE: Support the development of engineering startups, promote STEM education in schools, and learn about the vast field of engineering entrepreneurship from colleagues and visits to local companies and factories. With an incredibly active social sector, there is no shortage of placement opportunities in Montevideo, ranging from education to social impact, art and communications, and more.
EXPLORE: Montevideo offers a vibrant street art scene, popular beaches, and a walkable old city to discover. In your free time, you can browse the sprawling Sunday market, take a tango class, or go for a walk with your host family along the 14-mile Rambla—the longest sidewalk in the world!— where ocean views offer a respite from city living.
ILLUSTRATION BY MARIJKE BUURLAGE
HYDERABAD, INDIA
EXPLORE: The historic city center of Cuenca offers colonial architecture; artisan, flower, and food markets; cultural museums; and much more. Spend your weekends playing pick-up soccer, embarking on a day trip to nearby Cajas National Park, having a barbeque with your host family, or taking a salsa class at a local dance studio.