The European Center director on Tufts’ home away from home, in Talloires, France
Photo: Jandro Cisneros
I never imagined being responsible for helping to bring life to an 11th-century former Benedictine monastery, through learning, activity, and the exchange of ideas. But as the director of Tufts European Center, that’s a big part of my job.
We create a robust and truly distinctive academic environment in Talloires. Faculty, scholars, and artists engage with students in and out of the classroom—even on the hiking trails! At the center, we host seminars on issues of significant international concern, and we offer regular lectures and concerts for our students and our French neighbors. We are a real cultural hub for the village.
Nature is a powerful presence in Talloires. Every view just takes your breath away. Our hiking guide helps us explore the local mountains and appreciate the alpine culture. In their free time, students swim in our pristine Lake Annecy. Nature truly is our students’ silent teacher here.
Many of the students who participate in our academic programs have never traveled independently before. When they come to Talloires, they take their first steps toward living as an international person. They discover you don’t need perfect grammar to communicate; you can say so much with a smile or with your eyes. When you experience that, it helps you grow and you start to develop as a global citizen.
Ours is a very close community, maybe because we’re spending time in such an ancient, beautiful, and intimate space. It adds a little magic to everything. Students have an opportunity to develop rich relationships with each other and even with their professors.
I think sometimes people want an excuse to be idealistic. When our students come, we encourage them to let go of their everyday routines for a while, and instead, to just dream about learning and making a difference. It’s the privilege of a lifetime to watch them transformed by their experiences here.
Gabriella Goldstein, J84, is the director of the Tufts European Center.
Our Tufts is a series of personal stories shared by members of the Tufts community and featured on both Tufts Now and Instagram.
