GO: Global Orientation
Get to know students from all over the world while discovering Tufts, the surrounding community, and the city of Boston during the GO Pre-Orientation program.
About
We offer an incomparable opportunity to form intercultural connections and lifelong friendships with people from diverse backgrounds.
Your GO experience might include a trip to the scenic town of Rockport, a trip into the history of Boston, or an Amazing Race competition across campus. GO will be a highlight of your college experience and a perfect way to start this next chapter of your life. Student leaders, called Host Advisors, will lead new students in a wide variety of activities, planned to help with your transition and have fun!
Typical Day
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:30 a.m. | Breakfast of bagels, muffins, donuts, and coffee |
| 9:30 a.m. | Welcome from the GO staff and Tufts faculty |
| 10 a.m. | Learn about Tufts student life, set up your phone and bank accounts or participate in our cross-cultural workshop |
| 12 p.m. | Lunch at Carmichael Dining Hall |
| 1 p.m. | Depart for day trips. Previous day trips have included Harvard Square, the Boston Harbor or the New England coast |
| 6 p.m. | Dinner with host advisors and fellow GO participants |
| 7 - 11 p.m. | On-campus evening activities such as the campus-wide Amazing Race competition or relaxing on the Tisch rooftop |
Staff
Julia Keith
International Center Senior Program Administrator for Communication and Engagement
Julia joined the Tufts International Center and GO program in 2022. A native of Massachusetts and a former French teacher, she has spent extensive time traveling, living and volunteering abroad in places such as France, Morocco, French Polynesia, Haiti and Senegal. She earned degrees from Bryn Mawr College and Boston University.
Spade Davis
Pre-Orientation Coordinator
Spade (she/they/he, Class of 2028) is a rising junior majoring in Community Health and Biology, who was raised in Nairobi, Kenya, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the majority of their life. However, they were born in Greensboro, North Carolina. They are active members of Tufts Sex Health Representatives and the American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative at Tufts. They love to paint, crochet, and read!
Harumi Sakaguchi
Pre-Orientation Coordinator
Harumi is a rising junior from Tokyo, Japan majoring in International Relations and Film & Media Studies. She is a member of Tufts sQ! (the freshest all-gender, all-genre a cappella group), the Japanese Culture Club, the Association of Mixed People at Tufts, and Women in International Relations. Catch her speed-walking across campus to class, passionately discussing films, or humming a tune while walking down to Davis Square for boba!
Contact Us
GO
go@tufts.edu | 617-627-3458 | @tuftsgo
Choosing GO as my pre-orientation was one of my most rewarding experiences at Tufts so far. I quickly adjusted to the life and community at Tufts through GO. GO provided me with opportunities to create strong connections and bonds early into my college life; an experience that made me feel welcome and comfortable in a new environment. Within one week, the Pre-O experience made me feel more confident as a newly independent college student. I gained precious memories and life-long friends which I am forever thankful for. I had very supportive Host Advisor leaders who pointed me in all the right directions based on my personal interests, and their support helped me to feel at home at Tufts. Incoming students should particulate in pre-orientation to gain connections and grow accustomed to Tufts and Boston before the Fall semester begins, making the start of school feel less overwhelming during a new stage in life. Pre-orientation provides new cultural outlooks and perspectives, as students meet so many different people from so many places and backgrounds, which is a great introduction to life at Tufts.
Leila Toubia, Class of 2027
Pre-O, and specifically GO, was one of the most important experiences of my time here at Tufts. It really helped me settle my nerves and feel a part of the Tufts community heading into the start of classes. I strongly recommend Pre-O to any incoming Tufts students
Jake Flosi, Class of 2027
I really liked the program because I was a civic semester student who only had 2 weeks on campus before leaving for the semester. I had a lot of anxiety about meeting people, but GO was so fun and I had an amazing time with my group. I ended up staying in contact with many of them and some of them are my closest friends on campus now! It was a great program helping me prepare for life at Tufts before it even began.
Tammy Hsu, Class of 2029
I participated in GO for pre-o and it was a wonderful experience. I loved being able to meet people from all different backgrounds and walks of life. I got to know a lot of people with such different experiences than me and learn about their cultures and their individual reasons for choosing Tufts. Coming into college I was slightly concerned that I would struggle to meet people and put myself out there and I feel like GO was such a good way to force myself to form connections with people. It really prepare me for constantly meeting new people and I think pre-o is a vital experience to building confidence and community.