Study Abroad FAQs

Log into our website to find out which programs are offered on our website. Use the filter to tailor the results to your academic field, preferred location, or other needs. For more information, we encourage you to attend our weekly Study Abroad 101 virtual sessions.  

Yes. Rutgers students can choose between semester, academic year, summer, winter or embedded spring/fall programs. We also offer some virtual options (search for RU Virtual on our program page).  

Embedded programs take place during the Fall and Spring semester. However, they differ significantly from a traditional semester study abroad program. Students will take part in a 1-credit study abroad experience with classmates and Rutgers faculty member instructing the program. During a Fall Embedded program, the study abroad experience will occur during Winter break, following completion of the semester. During a Spring Embedded program, the study abroad experience will occur during either Spring Break in March, or immediately following the end of the semester in May. Typically, the study abroad component lasts 7 - 11 days. Embedded programs also consist of 3-credit semester-long seminar. Following acceptance into the program, students will be enrolled in this seminar component by our office. 

Yes! Embedded, Summer, and Winter programs are available and can fit nicely into your academic plans. There have been students who have studied in France, Mexico, Brazil and England, all during their 4 years at Rutgers. 

Yes. Most of our programs offer classes in English. But if you wish to immerse yourself in a language, there are those options too. You may have minimum proficiency requirements, however. 

Our walk in advising will continue to be offered virtually at rutgers.webex.com/meet/ru-studyabroad on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. (ET) and Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (ET).  After you attend the 101 Session, you can then schedule a meeting with the program advisor for the program you are interested in. You can book an advising appointment with a member of our team here. 

Yes, but you will need to take a leave of absence and go through the transfer process to get your credits. This may affect your financial aid package, however.  Please work with your academic department to discuss this process. 

Yes! At a minimum they will count towards your graduation total and the grades you earn will factor into your GPA. For information on how to complete Degree Navigator requirements, scroll to the Academic/curriculum/credits section below. 

Rutgers Global–Study Abroad is continuing to recruit and accept students for enrollment in study abroad and internship programs for all future terms.  However, international travel remains subject to university approval. 

Select programs are open and accept applications. You can find these programs here: https://global.rutgers.edu/program-search 

As the university currently evaluates the full resumption of study abroad, students are encouraged to review all university updates regarding COVID-19 - https://coronavirus.rutgers.edu 

Note: Acceptances into a program by RGSA or your host institution does not mean travel authorization has been granted.  Students will be directly informed by an RGSA advisor of any travel authorization decision and next steps, as appropriate.  Additionally, the university retains the ability to suspend participation at any time. 

Rutgers Global-Study Abroad will contact students who have opened or applied to an RGSA program when updates are available.  Parents and other concerned parties who would like to receive this information should ask their students to share the updates with them.

Rutgers students are required to comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination policy (Policy 10.3.14) prior to program participation in any RGSA study abroad program. Enrolled students can upload their vaccination documentation on the Rutgers Student Immunization portal. 

*Please see the question below regarding vaccine exemptions. 

Yes.  All students must comply with policies set forth by their selected program. Additionally, if a partner program, university or host country requires vaccination, or has their own exemption procedures, it is the student’s responsibility to submit their own vaccination or exemption requests to the partner directly.  Rutgers Global-Study Abroad does not have access to any medical information that a student submits to Rutgers and will not do this on your behalf. 

While students may be eligible for an exemption that will allow students to be compliant with the Rutgers policy, a Rutgers University exemption may not satisfy vaccine or other safety requirements abroad or be accepted by our international partner institutions.  

Additionally, COVID-19 policies and laws for each host country, program, or local authority may change at any time and may affect your ability to participate should students not be vaccinated. Given the current complexity of international travel and in support of the university’s commitment to health and safety, Rutgers Global-Study Abroad strongly recommends that students have a COVID-19 vaccine prior to overseas study. 

Yes. Rutgers Global is offering virtual internships in summer 2022.

The Study Abroad office will contact students directly with updates via email. If you have not been informed by Rutgers Global-Study Abroad that a program you have applied to has been cancelled, you should assume that it is proceeding as planned. 

Study Abroad strongly advises program participants to purchase fully refundable airline tickets and a Cancellation for Any Reason (CFAR) and/or Interruption for Any Reason (IFAR) insurance policy after they are committed to their program to safeguard against losses or penalties in case of withdrawal from the Program for any reason (including failure to obtain a visa, travel restrictions related to COVID-19, or any other reason), or in case the Program is cancelled or its dates are changed. Please read the terms of any policy closely before purchasing so that you understand the provisions, limitations and exclusions of the coverage. 

Please check with a Study Abroad Coordinator before purchasing airline tickets. If you choose to purchase airline tickets or trip insurance, be sure to read the policies thoroughly to make sure they meet your needs. Study Abroad assumes no responsibility for any losses or penalties as a result of cancellation or withdrawal. 

Rutgers Global-Study Abroad enrolls all study abroad participants in On Call International medical insurance for the duration of their program. 

1. Official Rutgers University Covid-19 website 

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

3. World Health Organization 

4. U.S. Department of State – Country-Specific Information 

5. Travelers' Health (CDC) 

There are several scholarships available.  A list of those available to students can be found on our website: https://global.rutgers.edu/study-abroad/scholarships  

Yes. Rutgers students studying through our study abroad programs are registered at Rutgers while abroad. Therefore, your financial aid still applies.  If you are eligible for Tuition Remission, that can be applied as well. 

Each program page lists the costs at the bottom of the page. These costs are updated each semester and/or year. There are two types of costs to keep in mind: 1. what goes on your term bill (normally includes tuition, insurance, fees, sometimes housing), and 2. out-of-pocket costs (flights, transportation, meals, sometimes housing).

Budgeting can feel a little overwhelming when thinking about studying abroad.   But if you can attend the “Paying for Study Abroad” virtual sessions, you’ll discover just what you need to consider. In these webinar sessions, we'll cover study abroad program costs, how to find funding, and tips for scholarship applications. 

Visit rutgers.webex.com/meet/ru-studyabroad to join the online meetings. 

Fall 2021 Schedule: Beginning September 8th, join us on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. (ET) at the link above! 

Meet with our Registration and Financial Coordinator, Kelly Andrade. You can email her at kandrade@global.rutgers.edu after you have attended a Paying for Study Abroad virtual session to schedule an appointment. 

Yes, you do. It is a requirement of our Rutgers Global Study Abroad and for immigration requirements. Also, maintaining your full-time status will continue any financial aid you may have. For more information, you should meet with a study abroad advisor. For more information, we encourage you to attend our weekly Study Abroad 101 virtual sessions. 

Yes, they can! No matter what you’re studying at Rutgers, chances are we have a program that offers courses which count toward your major. In all cases, study abroad courses earn credits toward the graduation requirement total and the grades received will also factor into the cumulative GPA. For more information, check our FAQs on Academic Planning. 

On each of our program pages, we provide the link to the partner university academic courses. It will be located under ACADEMICS. 

The Course Equivalency Form will list the courses you will take at the host institution and whether you are taking them for “graduation credit only” or signature approval for equivalent Rutgers course. You should meet with your academic advisor to discuss your plan and if you are trying to get course equivalency approvals, you will meet with the undergraduate dean/chair of the relevant academic department. Please also check out Course Equivalency Database to see if any classes have already been approved. The database is always evolving, so if you don’t see a class there, you should have a discussion with your academic advisor.