Where will Rutgers take you?

There are many opportunities for travel available at Rutgers University. From classes with travel components to volunteer trips to study abroad, you are sure to find something that fits your needs.

Many classes offer field trips to different places in the area. Depending on the subject matter and professor, you might be able to take trips to NYC, Philadelphia, nature preserves, or other museums and icons in the region. Some classes might even offer international trips during breaks.

Rutgers has several volunteer organizations that make many trips to different places. Where you travel will probably depend on your group. There are organizations like Habitat for Humanity on campus that take trips to different work sites in NJ. An organization started by students in connection with the Embrace Kids Foundation are biking from NJ to Florida right now.

One of the most exciting organizations, in my opinion, is Alternative Breaks. Alternative Breaks runs programs during select fall weekends and winter, spring, and summer breaks. Most are trips within the US to locations both near and far from NJ. Last year there were trips to Brooklyn, California, and even a trip to South America--the first international Alternative Break!

You do have to apply to participate and if you're accepted you must attend a semester-long "class" to learn more about your fellow volunteers and the area where you and your group will travel and work. I participated in the program during my senior year and went to Biloxi, MS in January 2013. It was a really great experience and was wonderful to meet so many great Rutgers students and help so many people. I would highly recommend getting involved in Alternative Breaks early. If you really love your experience, you can apply again to be a site leader for the next year.

We  cleaned up tons of garbage that had been dumped in a creek bed.

We volunteered for a day at the Boys & Girls Club of Biloxi, MS.

At the Gulf Coast Gator Ranch on our day off.

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At the beach on our last day.

Study Abroad
The Rutgers University Center for Global Education also offers numerous international options. There are more traditional semester- or year-long programs throughout the globe, but they also offer summer or winter trips and even international service learning programs. ISL programs are community-service based programs offered for class credit. Some programs are run directly by Rutgers University, while others are run through third-party organizations like CIEE. All the programs are unique and have their own pros and cons.

The Este castle in Ferrara, Italy.

I studied abroad in the Spring 2012 semester in Ferrara, Italy. Tuition costs depend on the program- there are some that are less than, equal to, or more than the cost at Rutgers. Because my program was run by CIEE, the cost of tuition was a little more than Rutgers' tuition. The additional cost in my tuition went towards several built-in components, such as a 5-day trip to Sicily, a day-trip to Verona, monthly group dinners, and living arrangements (either home-stay with a local family or an apartment with other students in the program). If you want to read more about my experiences, I kept a blog.

All 5 RU students in Sicily.

Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet.

Yummy cappellacci, a traditional Ferrarese dish served at one of our group dinners.

My apartment entryway at 93 via Montebello.

My bedroom in our 2-bedroom apartment.

Studying abroad is a fantastic opportunity to live outside your comfort zone and learn about different cultures firsthand. If you study with one of the programs offered by Rutgers (including CIEE and third-party programs listed in the catalog), your credits will all transfer as general academic credits. You can also translate these credits towards a major or minor through your department.

The Center for Global Education also offers many scholarships to Rutgers students, so finances should not be a deciding factor against study abroad. Their website additionally lists third-party scholarship websites not connected with the school.

If you're thinking about studying abroad, go to the office and talk to some of the advisors. Anyone with any major can study abroad! Don't say you need to study in an English-speaking country to take classes in English.  Don't say you can't study abroad if you're a sciences major or an engineer! It may take a bit more planning, but everyone can and everyone should go. If you have any doubts, talk to an advisor- they are happy to answer questions and help you plan.