New International Partnerships

Fairleigh Dickinson University has entered into new international partnerships with universities in Turkey and the Democratic Republic of Georgia.

Caucasus University, a private institution with campuses in Tbilisi and Batumi, Georgia, offers numerous courses in English in fields such as business, media studies, international affairs and technology, as well as opportunities to study the Georgian language, one of the most unique in the world. Georgia’s cuisine, like its culture, is a blend of Asian and European influences, while its cities are characterized by an eclectic mix of 18th-, 19th-, 20th- and 21st-century architectural styles. “Tbilisi [Georgia’s capital] has become one of my favorite cities in the world,” said Jason Scorza, vice provost for international education, who signed the partnership agreement for FDU.

Under the agreement, students from FDU will be able to study abroad for one or two semesters at Caucasus University (CU), while Georgian students will be permitted to study at the College at Florham, the Metropolitan Campus or FDU-Vancouver. Additionally, FDU will offer special summer workshops for groups of CU students on topics such as doing business in the United States and American politics and culture. Caucasus University will offer similar workshops to FDU students. Students visiting CU will live in private apartments or with host families identified by the university.

Gediz University, located on the edge of the historic city of Izmir, on the western shores of Turkey, is a private university. Just a few minutes from the Aegean Sea, Gediz University offers all of its courses in English, including programs in business, political science, international relations and architecture. Introductory courses in the Turkish language also are available. FDU students attending Gediz University may live in student dormitories, in private apartments or with host families. Separate dormitories for men and women are located several miles from campus, close to the metro train system, and are served by a campus shuttle.

In addition to a one- or two-semester study-abroad experience, FDU students may study at Gediz University for up to two full academic years through FDU’s Two Worlds Program. The program invites students to reconnect with their ethnicity or discover a new culture, through an immersive educational experience with one of the University’s international partners. So far, FDU has established Two Worlds partnerships with universities in the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Korea, Spain, Germany, Israel, Italy and Turkey.

For information about study-abroad programs, contact Brian Swanzey, director of study abroad, at brian_swanzey@fdu.edu. For information about the Two Worlds program, contact Liz Nigrinis, director, Two Worlds Program, at lisetty@fdu.edu.