Study Abroad
What is Study Abroad?
Study Abroad is the opportunity to go to a different country to take classes in a foreign university. Students who study abroad can immerse themselves in a new culture, a new way of thinking, and a new way of perceiving the world.
At Tufts, studying abroad in your junior or senior year is a celebrated tradition that many students choose to complete. However, for students majoring in HFE and ENP, it requires advanced planning. Our program is has a specialized, unique curriculum and many requirements cannot be fulfilled at other institutions. This should not discourage students from choosing to study abroad as some of our students do, but the groundwork should be laid out before junior year.
Internationally, HFE and ENP are commonly referred to as ergonomics and usability engineering. There are subtle differences between the areas of HFE being studied in the US and those being studied abroad. These differences will give students the opportunity to learn from another perspective.
The Process
Before Junior Year:
The Human Factors Program uses a prescribed progression of courses to ensure a solid understanding on which to build skills and experience. Students wishing to study abroad should consult with their major advisor sophomore year about planning their course progression so that prerequisites are covered.
Choosing a Program
None of the pre-approved Tufts programs offer Ergonomics, so programs and courses must be approved individually by an advisor. Ergonomics programs are likely to be found in Germany, England, Switzerland, Israel, and Australia.
Once a student has chosen a foreign university, they should should obtain a description of this school's ergonomics program. All transfer credits must be approved before the student leaves Tufts. The foreign classes that a student wants to count in substitution of the requirements of their degree must be approved by the Director of the Program and the Department Chair.
After Choosing a Program
After choosing and approving a program, students will take a study-abroad leave of absence to participate in their study abroad program. For study abroad forms and information about fees and finances, see the Tufts' Study Abroad Page for Non-Tufts Programs.
