Passport to the World Initiative Opens Doors to Study Abroad

For many students, a passport is more than a travel document; it’s a ticket to global study, research, and career opportunities. Recognizing this, Rutgers Global–Study Abroad launched the Passport to the World initiative in 2022, designed to increase the number of matriculated Rutgers students with U.S. passports across all campuses: Newark, Camden, Rutgers Health, and New Brunswick.

Since its inception, the program has received more than 500 applications for passport funding. Each year, demand has grown. “It’s been a privilege to see this initiative grow, and to be able to have such close collaboration at each campus. This year, in particular, has seen a significant increase in applications from students from Rutgers University–Newark,” said Lloyd Pearson, Study Abroad Advisor and Co-Founder of Passport to the World.

This surge in interest from Newark students reflects the program’s expanding impact across Rutgers campuses. At Rutgers–New Brunswick, students are also embracing the opportunity. One of those students is Le’Nahjaa Bailey (Rutgers-New Brunswick, Class of 2026), who received her first passport through the program and spent the summer studying at Ewha University in Seoul, South Korea. Bailey, also a Gilman Scholar, described the experience as transformative.

“Before I applied to Rutgers, I always knew I wanted to study abroad,” Bailey said. “Getting my passport through this initiative meant I could take that first step without worrying about the cost holding me back.”

She emphasized how the support she received—from the grant application to advising—made the process accessible and less overwhelming. “Without the help of getting my passport, I would have delayed studying abroad. The advisors guided me every step of the way, and that support made all the difference,” Bailey added.

Her time in Seoul reshaped her perspective. “Studying abroad made me much more optimistic about my life,” she said. “I had to navigate challenges on my own, like figuring out the subway system, and I came back knowing I can trust myself in new situations. That confidence will stay with me.”

For Pearson, Bailey’s story reflects the core mission of Passport to the World. “Le’Nahjaa is a star student who has done such an amazing job throughout the passport and study abroad process here at Rutgers. It has truly been an inspiration to see all that she’s accomplished” he said.

The initiative is also strengthening cross-campus connections. “Rutgers–Camden Chancellor Antonio Tillis, along with Student Academic Success and the Office of International Students & Global Programs were early partners and advocates, really helping to promote this on Camden campus,” Pearson explained. “As a result, Camden campus has produced the highest number of accepted applications since Passport to the World’s inception.”

The program’s success is reflected in Rutgers’ record-breaking study abroad enrollment. “We are at our highest ever,” said Lauren Meregalli Ferrer, Director of Study Abroad. “We’re working to remove obstacles—whether that means reducing perceived costs or providing support to obtain a U.S. passport.”

Passport to the World is part of a broader suite of initiatives designed to make global learning accessible for all Rutgers students. Other access programs include Access the World, Access Africa, Rutgers Year of Latin America & the Caribbean Study Abroad, and the new FlyPass Initiative. (Visit our Special Initiatives page to learn more.) Together, these efforts ensure that financial barriers do not stand in the way of international experiences.

For Bailey, the opportunity was life-changing. “Engaging with another culture firsthand opened my eyes in ways I never expected,” she reflected. “Now I’m excited to keep discovering new places—and I know I have the confidence to do it.”

Learn more about the Passport to the World initiative.