Rutgers University is committed to removing any barriers that would keep students from participating in study abroad opportunities. Last year, Rutgers Global–Study Abroad launched the Passport to the World initiative, which seeks to increase the number of Rutgers University matriculated students with U.S. passports. Upon learning about the initiative and to help spread the word, Chancellor Antonio Tillis and Associate Dean of International Students and Global Programs Elizabeth Atkins from Rutgers University–Camden increased the number of awards for Camden students.
For the first cycle of the Passport to the World initiative, eligible students looking to obtain their first-time U.S. passport applied directly through the Rutgers Global website for the grant, which covers the application fee, post office photo, and execution fee (up to $180). The initiative awarded 176 passports to Rutgers students from all campuses (Camden, New Brunswick, Newark, and RBHS).
As a result of the early strong student response to the initiative, in April, Rutgers University was selected by the Institute of International Education (IIE) to receive an IIE American Passport Project grant that would support the expenses associated with obtaining additional passports for 25 students for the 2023-2024 cycle. In addition, for this cycle, the Rutgers–Camden team has announced that all qualified Camden students are eligible to be awarded grants.
Kelly Andrade, Program Manager for Access Initiatives, and Lloyd Pearson, Program Advisor at Rutgers Global–Study Abroad, who have led the project since its inception wanted the Passport to the World initiative to center around the needs of the students and to give them agency. One requirement of the initiative’s application is a section consisting of two mini essays, asking students to expand on what study abroad abroad means to them and the significance of having a U.S. passport. The vast majority of the 2022-2023 passport awardees shared how a U.S. passport “represents freedom” and “more than just a handbook that allows someone to travel, it should be looked at as a book of boundless opportunities." One student shared "[f]or me, a passport is a tangible proof that I have made it past a barrier that I had previously thought beyond my reach of ever overcoming."
Jillina Harken, who will be obtaining her B.A. degree in English and Digital Studies from Rutgers University-Camden in May, was awarded the Passport to the World grant last year, which helped her participate in a study abroad program in Ireland. Harkin has excelled at Rutgers, holding an honor level 4.0 GPA while also serving as a senior tutor and social media content creator of the Writing and Design Lab and Digital Studies Department, and believes the Passport Initiative was life-changing. “The Passport Initiative has been a pivotal catalyst in my scholarly pursuits, opening the door to a transformative journey to Ireland I would not have otherwise been able to afford,” she said.
She added: “Without this amazing program, and the wonderful support from the staff in the Learning Abroad Office, my academic and personal growth would have been severely limited. Through this initiative, I had the privilege to immerse myself in a rich cultural tapestry, engage with global perspectives, and foster a deeper understanding of my field of study through visiting locations rich in literary history. Ireland's vibrant academic landscape and diverse cultural experiences have left an indelible mark on my lifelong educational journey, instilling in me a profound appreciation for the program, the wonderful staff that helped make sure everything went smoothly, and my entire Rutgers family.”
The Passport to the World initiative is open to all enrolled Rutgers students who are U.S. citizens and have never received an adult U.S. passport. Applications for the Passport to the World initiative are now open for Rutgers students. Learn more and apply here.
Learn more about the Passport to the World initiative and all the amazing study abroad opportunities available at Rutgers at our Fall 2023 Study Abroad Fair, happening on October 11, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Livingston Student Center. Details here.