How do Notre Dame and Tufts compare for international opportunities?

Tufts has the edge for international opportunities. Its academic culture is especially global, helped by the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, strong language offerings, and a long-standing focus on international relations, development, and global public health. Students looking for study abroad, internationally oriented internships, and exposure to globally focused faculty usually find more built-in pathways there.

One major difference is how international study connects to the curriculum. Tufts is particularly well known for weaving global themes into majors across the humanities, social sciences, and policy fields, so studying abroad or pursuing research overseas often feels like a natural extension of what students are already doing on campus. Notre Dame also offers substantial study abroad options and has a respected global network, but its international opportunities can feel more tied to specific programs rather than shaping the overall campus identity in the same way.

Another differentiator is access to internationally focused professional ecosystems. Tufts benefits from being near Boston, which gives students easier access to NGOs, public health organizations, research centers, immigrant-serving nonprofits, and globally connected internships during the academic year. Notre Dame’s alumni network is famously loyal and can open doors, including abroad, but South Bend does not offer the same density of international organizations right outside campus.

Career preparation also leans more internationally at Tufts, especially for students interested in diplomacy, international development, public policy, global health, or multilingual work.