Study Abroad

This September, Freie Universität Berlin will mark a major milestone: the 20th anniversary of its renowned FU-BEST (Freie Universität Berlin European Studies) program. Over the past two decades, FU-BEST has grown into one of Europe’s most respected English-language study abroad programs, offering students from across the globe—including many from Rutgers University—a life-changing academic and cultural experience in the heart of Berlin. Rutgers Global Study Abroad has proudly partnered with FU-BEST for over a decade, sending students to Berlin in the fall and spring since at least 2008. The program remains a student favorite, drawing those interested in European studies, language immersion, and cultural exploration.

Students, faculty, and staff from the Rutgers School of Public Health recently returned from a deeply enriching study abroad experience in Manizales, Colombia. The experience provided students with an immersive opportunity to directly engage with community-based organizations, public health agencies, researchers, educators, and community leaders dedicated to addressing health inequities in Latin American communities. Led by Rafael E. Pérez-Figueroa, Associate Dean for Community Engagement, Population Health, and Public Health Service and associate professor in Rutgers School of Public Health’s Department of Urban-Global Public Health, the study abroad course was hosted in collaboration with the Universidad Autónoma de Manizales (UAM).

A record 20 students across Rutgers University have been awarded the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, which empowers students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, fostering mutual understanding between the United States and other countries. 

This milestone highlights Rutgers’ growing commitment to global education and access for all students, especially those traditionally underrepresented in study abroad programs.

Cuba may not be a Spring Break hotspot—particularly given that Americans are prohibited from visiting the island solely for tourism. But for a group of Rutgers Law School students, Cuba turned out to be a truly unique and educational Spring Break destination, made possible through a travel course designed to expose students to Cuban law, history, and society through firsthand encounters with local attorneys, activists, students, and community members. The course is taught each year by Rutgers Law Clinical Professor Charles Auffant. Check out this video with highlights from the trip.

Rutgers Global hosted its annual Study Abroad Fall Fair on September 24 in the Livingston Student Center and welcomed nearly 600 students who came to learn about the 100+ study abroad programs in 40+ countries around the world that Rutgers offers.

After transferring to the university as a sophomore, Kate Beemer hatched a plan to spend time studying abroad – followed by a stint at MTV Germany