Though not a part of the large international relations sector at Tufts, Assistant Mathematics Professor Christian Benes possesses his own unique brand of worldliness.
Benes, who completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Geneva in 1998 and went on to receive both a Ph.D. and a master's in mathematics from Duke University, is currently an instructor of Math 13 and Statistics at Tufts, but he spent his youth in Europe.
Growing up in Geneva, Switzerland, he, like many European college students, attended the school closest to home. He lived with his family throughout his undergraduate years. Although Benes was a good student and had a job tutoring high school students, he also had his share of fun.
"I studied well, although not a lot," Benes said. He went to school about two-thirds of the time and often went out with friends. His favorite drink in college, like that of many Tufts students, was beer.
Hesitantly reminiscing about a crazy evening in college, Benes recounted a party he threw at his house that turned raucous when his friends decided to throw his neighbor's pots of geraniums into the pool.
The police came to break up the party, and, needless to say, his parents were not too thrilled.
Unlike many U.S. college campuses, European colleges do not have a Greek system; the majority of nightlife for European undergraduates takes place in clubs and bars.
"When I first came to Tufts, I was fascinated by the fraternities. I think it is fun but exaggerated," Benes said.
Furthermore, the difference in drinking ages between Europe and America separates the novelty of drinking for young adults who have grown up abroad.
"The relationship to alcohol is different in Europe. By the time you are 21, there is no more excitement. The students are a little more mature in Geneva because of this," Benes said.
Another contrast with American universities is in academic structure. "The system is different. Courses are year-long. There is no homework, no midterms. There is one exam," said Benes, describing his typical classes.
There is, however, a downside to not having homework. "We took the whole month before the test and studied. We wouldn't go out then."
European students are asked to pick a major six months before entering the university level. Like many students, Benes had no idea what he wanted to major in, especially before he began college.
He started off with physics, which proved to be very challenging for him; he later switched to mathematics, to which he has been committed ever since. Benes' favorite classes in college were analysis and number theory.
Benes' experiences at a European university influenced his decision to teach in the States. "Students are taken much better care of here," Benes said.
He used his past experiences in the classroom to underscore the differences: "My least favorite professor... I don't remember his name, but he taught probability. There were only three people in the class, but he would always walk in and not look at anyone," Benes said. "He wouldn't even talk to us. He would just teach and then leave the class."
Benes went on to describe the different cultural mind-set between private and public universities. "There is the idea of the university owing something to the student," he said.
Although he was initially nervous about teaching American private university students, Benes enjoys his students. "I think the students here are really great. Very friendly and, at the same time, very bright."
While he had a great time during his undergraduate years, Benes preferred graduate school. "I got to get away, experience a new place. It's funny though, because I had to do homework," Benes said.
The emphasis on daily homework and class attendance was a bit of a cultural shock to Benes when he first attended Duke for graduate school.
Despite his preference for graduate school, Benes still maintains contact with those who attended the University of Geneva alongside him through e-mails and visits.
Looking back at his undergraduate experience, Benes said that he should have probably tried to go abroad for a year, to Italy.
Despite his professor status, Benes still feels like he is in college. "I don't know if this counts as real life. I don't know if I am ready yet," he said.
