We invite you to join us for a unique and thought-provoking seminar at the Tufts European Center in Talloires, France. Whether you are in your 50s, 60s, or 70s, you may be considering what comes next in your life. The What Happens Next Seminar offers an intimate and inspiring space to explore important questions about how to direct your time and energy to live a life that is both fulfilling and balanced.

Tufts Rabbi Emeritus Jeffrey Summit and Reverend Scotty McLennan of Stanford University (formerly the Tufts University Chaplain) have designed this seminar to help you reflect on questions such as: What lessons have we learned from recent challenges? How can we deepen our appreciation of the pleasures, causes, work, relationships, and experiences that matter most? Drawing on literature, philosophy, music, and spiritual sources, Jeff and Scotty bring participants together every morning to guide them through a thoughtful exploration of these themes and more. Of course, conversations naturally extend well beyond the classroom—to buffet lunches in the European Center’s gardens, afternoon walks by the lakeside, and lively and delicious group dinners. The result is a rich and expansive experience of connection and reflection.

The Tufts European Center is set in an 11^th century former Benedictine monastery that sits nestled between the banks of lake annecy and the foothills of the French Alps. This magical setting provides the perfect environment for such personal exploration. Talloires is one of the most picturesque villages in the French Alps and its extraordinary beauty has inspired artists and thinkers including Paul Cézanne and Jean-Jacques Rousseau – and it will inspire you too.

Registration is now open! The program is limited to 20 participants.  The cost is $5500 per person for double occupancy and $7300 per person for single occupancy. Fees include: accommodation in one of Talloires’ 4-star hotels, breakfasts at the hotel, group lunches and dinners, airport transfers, daily class meetings and some group activities. Hotel room upgrades may be possible (based on availability) but at an additional cost.

PLEASE NOTE: In the case of participant cancellation, fees are 100% non-refundable. If the program is not filled by March 31, 2026, the Tufts European Center will notify all participants and refund program fees. 

We strongly recommend the purchase of comprehensive travel insurance. Tufts University is not responsible for changes to trips or travel arrangements, for losses or additional expenses resulting from travel, or for any injury or damage during a trip. For helpful travel resources, please consult https://alumniandfriends.tufts.edu/explore-education-travel/travel-learn-program/helpful-travel-resources.

What they’re saying about “What Happens Next?” at the Tufts European Center in Talloires, France

 “What Happens Next” was a unique and wonderful week – better than I could have imagined. I felt that doing this program was a gift I gave myself – a chance to remove myself from everyday life, work, demands and contacts and to think. And not just to think… to engage with interesting, funny, open, warm and bright people, to be inspired by learned and sensitive teachers, and to do it all in a location that looked like a fairy tale post card. Add to that the cheese, the wine and the French pastry! Eating melted raclette on potatoes on the top of a mountain, while watching the sunset, with this group of new friends is just one of the many memories I will treasure. I will be building on and thinking about all I took from this journey for a long time to come. I would tell anyone who is able to go to pack their bags and plan to head to Talloires next summer. It is a very special experience.  Jodi Landau Sieber and Joseph Sieber, Tufts University

I believe we are no different than most people where (even) extraordinary experiences get over-shadowed by life's day-to-day tasks and get swamped by the shallow seas of today's social media driven world.  The extraordinary experience we had in Talloires seems to have survived these tests. We think about that week often and the luxury it provided; a time to reflect on the important transitions that impact our lives and discuss them with a group of people who cared and did not judge. Andrew Driesman and Amber Driesman, Tufts University

My wife was excited about going to the Tufts European Center in Talloires for “What Happens Next?” but I went at best reluctantly wondering how a seminar during our vacation could be satisfying.  We both left absolutely delighted by our experience under the expert facilitation of Jeff and Scotty.   Most importantly, we left with new friends.  When you spend five days together discussing passages of great literature, reflecting on the implications for building a meaningful, purposeful next stage of life, and enjoying superb dinners in glorious settings in the French Alps, friendships form surprisingly easily.  We shared a special experience which will stay with me long after other vacations will have faded from view. Paul Gilbert and Amy Ellis, Stanford University

A diverse and like-minded group of 20 came from different parts of the world to discuss important questions like "What happens next? What ultimately matters?” in Tufts’ European Center, a 1000-year-old Benedictory priory located in the small alpine village of Talloires, France. The beautiful Alps and idyllic Lake Annecy inspired an even deeper intellectual and spiritual exchange of thoughts and experiences. What a joyful setting to read literature, hike, make new friends, and have meaningful conversations. I’m grateful to Rabbi Jeffrey Summit from Tufts and Reverend Scotty McLennan from Stanford for creating such a thoughtful program. Nora Wu, Stanford University