Rutgers Global recently announced the launch of Access Africa, a new initiative aimed at increasing access to study abroad programs in Africa for undergraduate students, according to a press release.
The Center for African Studies has collaborated with Rutgers Global to offer funds for study abroad programs in various African countries and with different semester durations.
Rocio Ruiz, assistant director of Rutgers Global—Study Abroad, said Access Africa provides accepted students with financial aid irrespective of financial need and supports the faculty and graduate students leading these programs through stipends.
She said that the long-term goal of the initiative is to expand the study abroad system with African locations and improve student enrollment for existing programs.
For example, she said the study abroad program at Stellenbosch University in South Africa is available to students at equivalent or lower University tuition costs.
Additionally, Ruiz said Access Africa plans to help cultivate equity among the New Brunswick, Newark and Camden campuses in students being able to access global education experiences.
The Access Africa initiative was established with donations on behalf of the Mad Rose Foundation, a philanthropic organization founded by University alum Neal Rosenthal.
“Rosenthal has travelled extensively throughout his career and wanted to provide Rutgers students the opportunity to gain global experience, cross-cultural communication skills and, most importantly, learn from other cultures,” Ruiz said. “He wanted to make these opportunities accessible and available to as many Rutgers students as possible.”
The idea for Access Africa grew after Rosenthal learned of a summer study abroad program being developed in 2022 to explore the culture and history of Benin, according to a Rutgers Global article.
“I am excited by the prospect of working with the Center for African Studies at Rutgers to enhance the already robust engagement of (the Center) on the African continent, a place that vibrates with energy and hosts a wealth of resources, most particularly an abundance of human capital,” Rosenthal said in the article.
Genese Sodikoff, director of the Center for African Studies, said the Center aims to allow students the chance to delve deeper into what African society entails and to encourage them to take classes focused on African heritage when they return to Rutgers.
She said that she hopes participating students will foster meaningful relationships with the local university’s students and people in nearby communities.
“The donation allows us to significantly reduce the cost of these programs for students,” said Sodikoff. “It really is an amazing opportunity to experience life in an African country and to study abroad (earning credits) for a fraction of what it usually costs.”
The Access Africa initiative encompasses a structured curriculum and itinerary in each program that can help alleviate concerns for students travelling abroad for the first time, she said.
Sodikoff said interested students can visit the Rutgers Global—Study Abroad website for detailed information on Access Africa programs in countries such as South Africa, Benin, Senegal, Kenya and Ghana.
“Study abroad programs are really great opportunities for students to expand their horizons and see the world and to get new ideas about what they may want to do after college,” she said.
