Tufts Blogs

If you were anything like me, you are looking to go as far away as possible for college. I dreamed of living in a new state with perennial warm weather and new corners of the country to explore. However, you may realize when reading the title of this blog that my journey had an unexpected turn. And in all honesty, I could not be more happy because of it.

I am so grateful to be studying here at Tufts. I enjoy sharing my perspective as a “local” in each setting and telling folktales of Boston and Medford to my friends. I feel like I practically lived in Davis Sq in high school pantomiming a college student. Now, every time I am at Mr. Crepe or J.P. Licks in the very same seat, I pinch myself just to be sure I’m not dreaming.

There are so many things to love about the Medford and Somerville area! The spring brings endless blue days, and our New England winters are perfect for ice skating and hot cocoa. Tufts is located only a quick train ride to Boston, but walking across the academic quad on warm days feels like a scene of a movie. Tufts is one of the most beautiful campuses I have ever seen, and the view of the Boston skyline from the Tisch Library roof reminds me just how close we are to all the opportunities and resources in the city.

There are also some obvious benefits of attending college close to home: I’m already fluent in our “complicated” public transportation system, I’m close enough that I can go home for family birthdays, and I don’t need a new wardrobe for a new climate All of my friends from out of state have met my mom (more than once), and I am inherently the designated driver for picking up people at the airport or for any trips outside of the T’s reach. Joking with another Medford High grad on our way to pick up sleds from their home, every Tufts student needs a token Medford friend.

Something that I had not considered when I submitted my applications to college so long ago was the impact of doing community service work in my own community. Participating in programs at Tisch College of Civic Life or writing news articles for the Tufts Daily feel so much more meaningful because I will see the long-term effects of Tufts's presence.

All through the Summer before freshman year, I was worried that when introducing myself to people at orientation or around campus, saying “I’m from Medford” wouldn’t be as interesting as students from across the country. However, what I learned is that being from here sparks just as many questions as being from California, New York City, or even Moldova is to me.

And I could not be happier!