Which is better for study abroad: UC Berkeley or Tufts?

Tufts has the edge for study abroad. It has a long-standing reputation for internationalism, a campus culture that strongly encourages going abroad, and well-developed advising through Tufts Global Education that makes the process feel central rather than peripheral. Berkeley absolutely offers many overseas options, but study abroad tends to feel more self-directed and logistically complex because of the size of the university.

One big difference is advising and institutional culture. At Tufts, international study is woven into the identity of the school, especially with its language programs, global studies orientation, and emphasis on civic engagement abroad. Students often find it easier to get personalized guidance on program selection, academic planning, and fitting an overseas semester into their major.

Another differentiator is scale. Berkeley’s Berkeley Study Abroad office gives access to a huge range of programs, including UCEAP and partner options across many countries, which is a real strength. But Berkeley’s size can make planning feel less individualized, and students in more sequential or tightly structured majors may need to be especially careful about timing and course equivalencies.

A third factor is the day-to-day student experience. At Tufts, studying abroad is common enough that it tends to feel socially normalized, and many students build it into their college plan early. At Berkeley, opportunities are broad and excellent, but navigating requirements, housing timing, and major constraints can take more initiative, so the experience can depend more on how organized you are from the start.