Tufts Civic Semester combines academic coursework with experiential learning to provide a transformational first-semester focused on community engagement and social justice.
Based in either Urubamba, Peru or Chiang Mai, Thailand, Civic Semester students:
- Build lifelong friendships with Tufts peers
- Immerse in a new language and culture
- Support community organizations through hands-on work
- Complete a full semester of Tufts courses
- Live with a host family
- Gain skills for supporting social change
Program costs are covered by tuition and fees, and applicants to the program can utilize their Tufts financial aid package. Each Civic Semester program focuses on a different set of issues and connects classroom discussions with hands-on learning in the community. Visit the Tisch College website to learn more about each program.
Civic Semester Peru: community health, arts & culture, education, environment & agriculture.
Civic Semester Thailand: indigenous rights, environmental conservation, sustainable development.
Eligibility & How to Apply
Students can apply to Civic Semester after they are admitted to Tufts. Our final application deadline is May 7, 2026. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis throughout the month of April. Finalists will be invited to a brief online interview.
Due to degree restrictions, only incoming students in the School of Arts & Sciences, not including BFA and SMFA combined degree students and participants in the BLAST program, are eligible to apply. We welcome and are proud to have international students in the program each year! Your application to the program is not binding, and we encourage all interested students to apply.
Questions? Please contact us.
Learn More
There are many ways to learn more about Civic Semester and meet program staff and students during Jumbo Days! Attend our 11AM information session or stop by the Tisch College open house or the Civic Semester table at the student activities fair. Additionally, we will be hosting a virtual session during Jumbo Month where admitted students can learn more about Global Opportunities at Tufts on Tuesday, April 28 at 7PM ET. Visit the Tisch College Civic Semester website, read Fellow blog posts, follow Tisch College on Instagram or contact firstyearglobal@tufts.edu for more information!