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Fast Facts of the NYU Global Network

Posted on November 11, 2024 by Maxine P

While it is impossible to fully capture the breadth of the NYU global network, we rounded up some fast facts about the academic sites and cities where NYU students can study away. Whether they land at one of our three degree-granting campuses in New York City, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai or at our sites in Accra, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Florence, London, Los Angeles, Madrid, Paris, Prague, Sydney, Tel Aviv, and Washington, DC, NYU students will have a rich academic experience supported by the University. Our newest site, NYU Tulsa, will officially open in spring 2025. Select students went to NYU Tulsa in spring 2024 for Alternative Breaks as well as during the summer for internship experiences.

The following information is accurate at the time of publication in fall 2024, but it is representative of a moment in time, so some information may change.

NYU Abu Dhabi

Average number of students studying away here each semester: 123*
Average class size: 16*
Number of courses available: 600+*
Number of residence halls: 3°
Average cost of a cup of coffee: $4.90†
City population: ~600,000‡

NYU Accra

Average number of students studying away here each semester: 14*
Average class size: 5*
Number of courses available: 12*
Number of residence halls: 1°
Average cost of a cup of coffee: $1.90†
City population: ~1.9 million‡

NYU Berlin

Average number of students studying away here each semester: 77*
Average class size: 11*
Number of courses available: 30*
Number of residence halls: 2°
Average cost of a cup of coffee: $3.06†
City population: ~3.5 million‡

NYU Buenos Aires

Average number of students studying away here each semester: 47*
Average class size: 7*
Number of courses available: 27*
Number of residence halls: 1, however, most students live in a homestay°
Average cost of a cup of coffee: $1.76†
City population: ~13.1 million‡

NYU Florence

Average number of students studying away here each semester: 351*
Average class size: 24*
Number of courses available: 60*
Number of residence halls: 4, plus the option to live in a homestay°
Average cost of a cup of coffee: $1.54†
City population: ~350,000‡

NYU Londonˣ

Average number of students studying away here each semester: 495*
Average class size: 22*
Number of courses available: 97*
Number of residence halls: 5°
Average cost of a cup of coffee: $3.36†
City population: ~8.9 million‡

NYU Los Angeles

Average number of students studying away here each semester: 35*
Average class size: 11*
Number of courses available: 13*
Number of residence halls: 1°
Average cost of a cup of coffee: $4.69†
City population: ~3.8 million§

NYU Madrid

Average number of students studying away here each semester: 284*
Average class size: 23*
Number of courses available: 51*
Number of residence halls: 3°
Average cost of a cup of coffee: $1.92†
City population: ~3.2 million‡

NYU in New York City

Average number of students studying away here each semester: 535*
Average class size: <30*
Number of courses available: 2,500+*
Number of residence halls: 11°
Average cost of a cup of coffee: $4.69†
City population: ~8.3 million§

NYU Paris

Average number of students studying away here each semester: 257*
Average class size: 15*
Number of courses available: 68*
Number of residence halls: 3, plus the option to live in a homestay°
Average cost of a cup of coffee: $3.13†
City population: ~2.1 million‡

NYU Prague

Average number of students studying away here each semester: 88*
Average class size: 8*
Number of courses available: 50*
Number of residence halls: 2°
Average cost of a cup of coffee: $2.46†
City population: ~1.1 million‡

NYU Shanghai

Average number of students studying away here each semester: 95*
Average class size: 7*
Number of courses available: 250+*
Number of residence halls: 1°
Average cost of a cup of coffee: $3.95†
City population: ~22.3 million‡

NYU Sydney

Students in front of the Sydney Opera House

Average number of students studying away here each semester: 38*
Average class size: 7*
Number of courses available: 13* (Access to dozens of University of Sydney courses also available through direct enrollment.)
Number of residence halls: 1°
Average cost of a cup of coffee: $3.24†
City population: ~4.6 million‡

NYU Tel Aviv

Average number of students studying away here each semester: 16*
Average class size: 7*
Number of courses available: 14*
Number of residence halls: 1°
Average cost of a cup of coffee: $3.82†
City population: ~430,000‡

NYU Washington, DC

Average number of students studying away here each semester: 68*
Average class size: 17*
Number of courses available: 17*
Number of residence halls: 1°
Average cost of a cup of coffee: $4.69†
City population: ~680,000‡

°Additional student housing facilities are obtained as enrollment demands.

†Based on coffee prices in each country as of February 6, 2024 (Coffeestics.com)

‡Based on city population numbers (PopulationStat.com)

United States Census Bureau

ˣNYU London’s average number of students is anticipated to grow next semester due to the global site’s move to a larger academic center in the fall 2024 semester.

Repurposed with permission from NYU Global Notebook

A New Policy Promotes Public Health and Faith Leaders to Jointly Prepare for Future Health Crises

Posted on April 29, 2024, modified on April 30, 2024 by Kristin Law

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine hesitancy poses significant challenges to public health efforts worldwide, continuing to put people at risk of contracting preventable diseases like polio, HPV, measles, and influenza. At this critical juncture, based on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Public Health Association (APHA) has endorsed a new policy. Acknowledging the vital role faith leaders play in influencing their communities, this policy, developed and coauthored by eight experts including Dr. Inon Schenker, an NYU Tel Aviv lecturer, calls for wider engagement of public health leaders with faith-based organizations to improve public health and vaccine equity. The authors studied instances of collaboration between public health and religious leaders and found positive results, particularly in underserved, marginalized, and hard-to-reach populations.

Dr. Schenker, a public health specialist with over 20 years of experience in research and practice in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, explains, “The policy reflects a fresh perspective on connecting faith and public health. Faith leadership—priests, rabbis, imams—are highly respected in their respective communities. The trust and influencing power over large cadres of people they wield can make a difference in pandemic preparedness and response.” Dr. Schenker’s diverse background in public health, with experience working with the World Health Organization, civil society organizations, and the private sector, underscores the importance of combining practical experience with academic insights—a philosophy deeply embedded in the NYU ethos. This is also the third time he is leading APHA teams to develop endorsed global health policies.

Two women and four men seated, in discussion. Signage in the background includes various religious symbols.

Jewish, Muslim, and Christian participants in a panel on interfaith collaboration with public health experts held in Karlsruhe, Germany, underscore the important roles religious leaders have in promoting vaccination and supporting community health.
Photo Credit: Julia M/JIVI

Turning Recommendations into Results

Dr. Schenker emphasizes the importance of spreading awareness about the new policy and translating its recommendations into action items. He urges prompt implementation to address pressing health challenges, better prepare for future pandemics, and improve overall health equity. Some of the policy’s recommendations include engaging in ongoing dialogue with religious organizations to develop strategies for the local and global levels; identifying areas where public health and religious leaders can collaborate to protect life and prevent disease; investing in faith-based vaccination initiatives and culturally appropriate messaging; launching religious organization–led programs to reach those who are vaccine hesitant; and training faith leaders to work with public health leaders and vice versa.

Drawing on real-life examples, Dr. Schenker shares past success stories, like a recent initiative in Jerusalem where religious leaders came together to endorse collaboration between faith communities and public health agencies. He also participates in ongoing research efforts in Israel, such as using mosques as hubs for community centers for older adults and for health-promotion interventions.

Inspiring Better Outcomes

Overall, the new policy underscores the potential for pragmatic collaboration between faith-based organizations and public health authorities to tackle vaccine hesitancy, bolster emergency preparedness, and respond to urban health issues. Through mutual respect and a shared vision, these partnerships have the power to drive meaningful change and promote better health outcomes for all.

Sixteen men wearing masks and religious garb standing together

The President of Israel convened a meeting of faith leaders in Jerusalem to cosign a declaration calling for faith communities worldwide to collaborate with the medical profession on public health issues. Pictured above: The Latin Patriarch, Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa; The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III; The Anglican Archbishop, Dr. Hossam Na’um; The President of the Muslim Shari’a Court of Appeals, Sheikh Abed Elhakim Samara; The Druze Community Leader, Sheikh Mouwafaq Tarrif; The Secretary General of the Baha’i Movement in Israel, Dr. David Rutstein; The Rishon LeZion, Chief (Sephardi) Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef; The Chief (Ashkenazi) Rabbi of Israel, President of the Supreme Rabbinical Court, Rabbi David Lau
Photo Credit: Koby Gideon/GPO

Written by Kelsey Rexroat

Global Programs Booklist

Posted on April 15, 2024 by Katie L

Inspired by the first NYU Bookstore display collaboration between the Office of Marketing Communications and the Office of Global Programs, this list of books representing NYU’s global locations promises to broaden your perspective and enrich your knowledge.

NYU Abu Dhabi

Temporary People
By Deepak Unnikrishnan

The skylines of Abu Dhabi and Dubai are recognizable around the world by their resplendent glittering towers—but how did they get there? Deepak Unnikrishnan, an Indian-born writer raised in the United Arab Emirates and associate arts professor of literature and creative writing at NYU Abu Dhabi, knows the answer: a foreign labor force was brought in to construct them. Using a series of clever and surreal linked stories, Unnikrishnan gives voice to a humanitarian crisis that doesn’t get the attention it deserves.

NYU Accra

The Hundred Wells of Salaga
By Ayesha Harruna Attah

Based on a true story, The Hundred Wells of Salaga tells the tale of two women from very different backgrounds whose lives converge in an unexpected way. It’s a novel that will entangle you emotionally, while offering you crucial insight into precolonial Ghana, particularly the slave trade and its impact on a people.

NYU Berlin

No Photos on the Dance Floor! Berlin 1989–Today
Edited by Heiko Hoffmann and Felix Hoffmann

History books offer what we think is a full story, but this photography book provides a peek into the city’s after-hours culture through the club scene that blossomed in 1989 after the fall of the Berlin Wall. It’s not only a delightful visual romp but also a history book in its own right, telling the story of a city in transformation, one party at a time.

NYU Buenos Aires

The Aleph and Other Stories
By Jorge Luis Borges

Jorge Luis Borges might seem like an obvious choice for Argentina—for a country that produced so many famous writers, he is arguably the most famous. Still, who can deny this selection? The brilliant, inventive tales of The Aleph and Other Stories will surprise and stimulate, and they are must-reads for diving into Argentine culture. Borges, after all, makes magic happen in the most unexpected ways.

NYU Florence

The Monster of Florence book cover featuring a close-up image of Giambologna's The Rape of the Sabine sculpture

The Monster of Florence: A True Story
By Douglas Preston and Mario Spezi

The Monster of Florence has developed a bit of a cult following in recent years, and for good reason—it’s a wild ride. American Douglas Preston moved to Florence with his family and quickly discovered that their olive grove was the site of one of Italy’s most infamous double murders. As he works with investigative journalist Mario Spezi, a Florentine, to get closer to the truth, things really begin to spiral. The Monster of Florence is a propulsive thriller that offers valuable, and often shocking, insight into the Italian justice system.

NYU London

White Teeth
By Zadie Smith

White Teeth is a rare novel that is entertaining while simultaneously layered with so much richness, one might want to read it all over again as soon as it’s over. Starting with two unlikely friends whose stories blossom into a poignant yet funny family saga, Zadie Smith’s debut novel keenly witnesses the immigrant experience in London, traveling to other continents as well while navigating the relationship between tradition and change.

NYU Los Angeles

Slow Days, Fast Company book cover featuring a distorted image of a woman

Slow Days, Fast Company: The World, the Flesh, and L.A.
By Eve Babitz

This slim book offers stories as wild and wanton as Los Angeles itself. Unapologetically hedonistic, Slow Days, Fast Company is also a clever, windy ride through the Los Angeles of the 1960s and 1970s. It has all the usual Angeleno archetypes, but Eve Babitz elevates them with her incisive and acerbic insights into life in Hollywood. Isn’t it funny that, decades later, so much has changed but so much remains the same?

NYU Madrid

Ghosts of Spain book cover featuring images of Spain

Ghosts of Spain: Travels Through Spain and Its Silent Past
By Giles Tremlett

Worth a read to understand a post-Franco Spain, Ghosts of Spain is a well-rounded, curious, and admittedly fun romp through the country, albeit prompted by the author’s questions about its devastating civil war. British author Giles Tremlett combines keen cultural reporting with memoir and quirky sidebars that add levity to what begins as a serious interrogation. While it’s intellectually critical, it’s also a love letter to Spain. After all, there’s a reason Spain is Tremlett’s adopted country.

NYU Paris

The Years book cover featuring an image of a woman looking at the viewer with the silhouette of a person looking down a hallway

The Years
By Annie Ernaux

Annie Ernaux’s whole oeuvre is masterful, but many critics cite The Years, first published in 2008, as her magnum opus. In this brilliant collage of a memoir, Nobel Prize winner Ernaux examines her life and the generation that she grew up in, favoring “we” over “I.” The result is a personal history tied to the collective experience of a generation in France during the 20th century. Ernaux weaves her memories into a story that offers cultural notes on topics from consumerism and immigration to unemployment and the threat of nuclear war.

NYU Prague

Havel: A Life book cover featuring an image of Václev Havel with his hand atop his head

Havel: A Life
By Michael Žantovský

In many ways, Václav Havel’s life mirrors the zeitgeist of Prague: it’s political, literary, antiauthoritarian, surreal, and somehow, even at its most serious moments, darkly humorous. If that sounds like a lot, it’s because Havel, like the city itself, was a complex figure. Michael Žantovský was a trusted friend, so this biography reads as an intimate and true portrait (faults and all) of a man loyal to his people, his values, and his art. Žantovský succeeds in showing the many dimensions of the iconoclast—playwright, political dissident, prisoner, president—who, in the end, was just as human as the rest of us.

NYU Shanghai

Shanghai Future: Modernity Remade
By Anna Greenspan

This brilliant book contextualizes China’s largest and most cosmopolitan city through the lens of modernity. Author Anna Greenspan, an associate professor of contemporary global media at NYU Shanghai, reexamines the changing landscape of the city as it steps well into the 21st century and takes its place on the world stage.

NYU Sydney

Mirror Sydney: An Atlas of Reflections
By Vanessa Berry

A fun and unexpected romp, Mirror Sydney takes us on a tour of the harborside city via engaging essays and clever hand-illustrated maps. Based on a blog Vanessa Berry started more than a decade ago, Mirror Sydney is clearly more than a mere guidebook—it’s too much fun to be that typical. Moreover, it tends to direct the reader to the kinds of places the average tourist wouldn’t care to know about or explore anyway.

NYU Tel Aviv

The Bibliomaniacs: Tales from a Tel Aviv Bookseller
By J.C. Halper

On Allenby Street in Tel Aviv, J.C. Halper—originally from New Jersey but now an Israeli for four-plus decades—runs the city’s most popular secondhand bookshop, containing a dazzling 60,000 books. And in 2022 he published this book of clever, often funny short stories from the point of view of a shop owner. While the stories are allegedly fiction, one can’t help but wonder if we’re learning more about real locals than the author lets on.

NYU Washington, DC

Lost in the City
By Edward P. Jones

It’s a joy to read anything by Edward P. Jones, the gifted, Pulitzer Prize–winning writer. His debut collection of short stories, Lost in the City, is no exception and first cemented his literary reputation. These 14 tales tell the everyday encounters and struggles of Black citizens in Washington, DC. But Jones has a gift for making even the most mundane situation meaningful, and his rich, textured stories give weight to life’s most quotidian moments as viewed through the lens of the Black experience in the nation’s capital.

Written by Marti Trgovich

NYU Tel Aviv Welcomes a Simulation That Prepares Students for the Next Global Public Health Emergency

Posted on June 14, 2023 by Katie L

In a humanitarian crisis, the World Health Organization’s Strategic Health Operations Centre (SHOC) in Geneva, Switzerland, leads the response and offers coordination, information, monitoring, and other critical services and resources to the international community. At NYU Tel Aviv, Dr. Inon Schenker provides a unique opportunity for students to gain experiential understanding of SHOC through the War on Epidemics simulation. First launched by Dr. Schenker at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, the simulation has been a training ground for hundreds of students at Israeli universities. Now at NYU Tel Aviv, the War on Epidemics is part of the course Epidemiology for Global Health, though Schenker welcomes any students eager to participate.

Realistic Scenarios Bridge Theory and Practice

In a room modeled on the SHOC’s setup, students work together to develop real-time responses to an unfolding crisis. This year’s simulation was based on the 2004 tsunami that devastated over a dozen countries in Southeast Asia. Students were briefed with real footage, then charged to consider emerging issues like sanitation, care for the injured, information communications, and the potential for the displaced populations to experience health risks such as infectious diseases, mental health conditions, and trauma. As the simulation progressed, the team was notified that a group of 1,000 young people were trapped on a mountain without shelter or food. Throughout the simulation these scenarios were on the clock, giving students a sense of real-life urgency.

During the simulation, Ansley Fiorito, a Biology and Global Public Health major, was the UNICEF adviser on youth in emergency situations. She describes learning how operation centers support teams on the ground through their ability to take a different perspective on the situation. “Both roles are valuable, but when you’re in the midst of chaos, it can be challenging to make decisions that benefit everyone in the long run.” Sejal Porter, a Biology and Global Public Health major on the prehealth track, echoes the importance of a variety of experts. “As an epidemiological adviser, my role was to prevent a future threat of disease instead of focusing on the current, pressing impacts of the crisis.” Ansley adds, “It was incredible to see everyone work together toward a common goal.”

Dr. Edan Raviv, assistant director of academics at NYU Tel Aviv, notes that experiential learning is an important bridge between intellectual and practical knowledge. “This is especially critical in a field like public health,” he says, “which requires students to understand complex technical science on the one hand and the public, socioeconomic, and political causes and implications of public health on the other.”

When Learning Leads to Impact

Simulations like these can even transform future, real-time outcomes. Dr. Schenker offers one illustrative example: In 2015 a cyclone was approaching Chennai, India, the hometown of one of his former Ben-Gurion University of the Negev students, Sri Janani. Having participated in the War on Epidemics simulation just a few months earlier, Janani knew how to organize an operations center and bring together members of her community and local nongovernmental organizations. Through the spread of information, organization of supplies, and evacuation of those in vulnerable areas, Janani estimates they helped over 170 families.

Dr. Schenker anticipates the next War on Epidemics simulation at NYU Tel Aviv will run in the spring of 2024. “Every NYU student can benefit from participating in a simulation like this. It is highly educational but also a fun way to build real-life experience and skills,” he says.

Dr. Schenker is happy to work with NYU campuses and academic locations on adapting the simulation to their local contexts. His contact email is is2760@nyu.edu.

Written by Auzelle Epeneter

NYU Affiliations Around the World: A Robust Network for Research and Study

Posted on March 27, 2023 by Maxine P

Students not only gain perspective and knowledge from time spent away from their home campus but also benefit from NYU partnerships with local institutions in the University’s global network. With one partnership that began before the global site itself was founded and another established over 50 years ago, it’s clear these relationships are invaluable to NYU research, scholarship, and community.

NYU Berlin

The Wilhelm von Humboldt Memorial in front of Humboldt University

Humboldt University in Berlin

NYU Berlin’s first agreement with Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin was in 1995, and the partnership remains as strong as ever. Today, students can enroll in courses at Humboldt and access its library. In addition to its partnership with Humboldt-Universität, NYU Berlin has an impressive record of establishing—and continuing—student and faculty exchange programs with other German universities. For example, in 1995 NYU established an agreement with the Freie Universität Berlin. Over 20 years later, in 2019, Freie Universität hosted Radha S. Hegde, NYU professor of media, culture, and communication, as the Dahlem International Network Professor in Gender Studies to teach two seminars.

NYU London

Before NYU London was established in 1999, the University held a partnership with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) for NYU Tisch School of the Arts students. Even as course offerings and programming expanded into the NYU London we know today, that relationship has remained steadfast for over 20 years. Each semester, a small group of NYU students audition for placement in RADA’s Shakespeare in Performance program. Students learn all aspects of performing Shakespeare as they work with a variety of RADA instructors. The intensive program culminates with the performance of one of Shakespeare’s plays. A more recent partnership with the National Film and Television School was established in 2018, with the first NYU students taking Directing the Actor: London in 2019. At the end of the course, students shoot and direct professional actors on a soundstage.

NYU Paris

A young woman on a laptop sits on the steps to the Sorbonne, a building with large columns.

The Sorbonne building houses various Parisian universities including the Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne

Over the years, NYU Paris has established a number of agreements with local universities, including Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Université Paris Cité, Université Sorbonne Nouvelle, and Université Paris Sciences et Lettres. These agreements allow NYU Paris students to take courses at these institutions, while Paris-based students have the opportunity to study at NYU’s campus in New York City. The relationship between NYU and Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne dates back to the founding of NYU Paris in 1969. Currently, the agreement allows NYU Paris students with advanced proficiency in French to take Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne classes in subjects ranging from art and history to philosophy and mathematics. In addition, the University’s partnership with Université Sorbonne Nouvelle dates back almost as long—to 1975. Eligible NYU Paris students can take courses there in literature, cinema, theatre, and media studies.

NYU Sydney

A building in the Victorian Academic Gothic Revival style in front of a green manicured lawn

A view from inside the University of Sydney Quadrangle

In November 2021 NYU established a new partnership with the oldest university in Australia, the University of Sydney (USYD). Through the partnership, NYU Sydney students have all the benefits of being a full-time USYD student: living on campus, enrolling in USYD courses, and participating in the Industry and Community Projects Units (ICPUs). ICPUs pair students with an industry partner and academic lead to work on real issues that industry, community, and government organizations encounter. And the partnership benefits are reciprocal—USYD students have the opportunity to enroll in Sydney-based courses taught by NYU instructors or spend a semester abroad at NYU’s campus in New York City or one of NYU’s global academic sites.

NYU Tel Aviv

A partnership with Tel Aviv University (TAU) further enriches students taking science courses at NYU Tel Aviv. TAU, Israel’s largest university, is just a short distance from the NYU global academic center. While NYU Tel Aviv offers science courses, including Organic Chemistry II and General Physics II, TAU offers the lab sections for those courses.

Three people in white lab coats and safety glasses in a chemistry lab

NYU Tel Aviv students take a chemistry course at Tel Aviv University’s labs.

In addition, undergraduate students can intern in a research lab through NYU Tel Aviv’s biology internships at TAU. Depending on the type of research conducted at each lab, students may learn different techniques like cell culture, gel electrophoresis, and microscopy. During the internship, students take part in the experimentation, research, and writing processes with at least one PhD student. What’s more, TAU students can also take advantage of NYU’s resources in return by enrolling at one of the University’s global academic sites for a semester.

Students Traveled to NYU Tel Aviv Through a Steinhardt Dean’s Global Honors Seminar

Posted on March 6, 2023, modified on March 7, 2023 by Kristin Law

“The entire experience was really rewarding,” says Alice Hallock, a first-year Educational Theatre major at the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, about her trip to NYU Tel Aviv. “Everything we did was grounded in the course. We got to really explore the culture, but, in the end, everything came back to what we learned from the textbooks. It was amazing to see it all play out in a real-world situation—you don’t get that with other classes.”

A group of students pose for a selfie with the ocean in the background

NYU Steinhardt Dean’s Global Honors Seminar students pose for a photo in Tel Aviv where their curriculum focused on families, schools, and child development came to life.

Established in 2012, the Steinhardt Dean’s Global Honors Seminars are semester-long, seminar-style courses that incorporate an international trip to one of 10 available NYU global academic centers. Open to first- and second-year students, the courses integrate a global perspective into the study of an interdisciplinary, liberal arts–based topic, from fashion and music to sustainability and biodiversity. Four seminars are offered every year—two in the fall and two in the spring—each focused on a different subject. This fall, NYU Steinhardt offered the course Families, Schools, and Child Development, where students traveled to Israel to experience their learnings in real time.

Families, Schools, and Child Development, led by Clinical Associate Professor of Applied Psychology Adina Schick, allows students to dive into readings, studies, and research projects throughout the semester. When the class arrived in Tel Aviv, it was as if their coursework came to life. The group spent each morning and afternoon of the trip visiting different schools in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. They had conversations with both elementary and high school students and learned about the differences—and similarities—between their experiences.

Five students sitting on benches in discussion

Debra Amata, majoring in Instrumental Performance, and Aaliyah Kamara, majoring in Applied Psychology, interview high school students at Jerusalem’s Mae Boyar High School international program.

“The class taught me a lot about noticing people of other cultures and not just celebrating them but really learning from them,” adds Alice. “It was impactful to talk to these kids then realize, ‘Oh, I went through this same exact thing.’ It opened my mind, and I know I’ll carry the trip and the conversations I had with me throughout my life, especially when I’m working with other children.”

Tiana Elavia, a second year at NYU Steinhardt majoring in Applied Psychology, went to elementary school in India and high school in the United States. According to Tiana, her personal experience in different educational systems and the opportunity to visit classrooms, talk to students, and learn about the Israeli educational system while on the class trip are what drew her to apply for the seminar in the first place. “The direct conversations we had with people, the hands-on work, that’s what I was looking for,” explains Tiana. “With this kind of trip, this kind of class, you get to talk to people about what they’re doing instead of just sitting in class reading an article. You get to be there yourself and ask your own questions.”

In Tel Aviv Applied Psychology major Mishal Shafique learns about an urban farming initiative with an elementary school student.

While second-year students are invited to apply to the Steinhardt Dean’s Global Honors Seminars, first-year students who meet a seminar’s specific requirements are invited to participate. The opportunity to travel their first year is often an appealing factor for deciding prospective students. The seminars give first-year NYU students a taste of what life is like at its global campuses and sites and, often, can be launching pads for future study away opportunities. “The biggest takeaway for me was just learning and thinking about how there are so many different people and ideologies, how there are so many things going on around the world that you just don’t know about,” says Tiana, who is making the most of NYU’s global opportunities and spending the spring semester at NYU Sydney. “This class really helped me broaden my horizons about different cultures, thoughts, and ideas.”

Written by Kelly McHugh-Stewart

Global Equity Fellows Serve as Diversity Ambassadors Around the World

Posted on October 17, 2022, modified on November 11, 2022 by Katie L

NYU has 12 academic centers and programs around the world, each in a region with unique customs, traditions, and beliefs that may be unfamiliar to students studying abroad for the first time. Luckily, each site also hosts Global Equity Fellows (GEFs), specially trained upper-level students tasked with advancing inclusion, diversity, belonging, equity, and accessibility (IDBEA) at study away sites while simultaneously supporting meaningful cultural transition.

The Global Equity Fellowship is a competitive semester-long fellowship created by the NYU Office of Global Programs in partnership with NYU’s Office of Global Inclusion, Diversity, and Strategic Innovation, the NYU Changemaker Center, and the NYU Division of Student Affairs. Before leaving home, GEFs participate in the Global IDBEA Leadership Institute training to master leadership, crisis management, and community-building skills. Once abroad, they step into their new roles, working closely with site staff to develop a research project that focuses on IDBEA and listen to and advise students who are navigating challenges in their host cities.

Meaningful Collaboration

Ruben Mayorga with Jerusalem in the background

Ruben Mayorga on a trip to Jerusalem during his time at NYU Tel Aviv

NYU Shanghai graduate Ruben Mayorga had already spent a semester at NYU Tel Aviv when he returned there as a GEF in fall 2021. This time he was equipped with new tools shared by NYU global staff. “In training I worked with all the GEFs who were heading to diverse places, and this diversity enriched the conversations by allowing me to see potential problems that might arise at the site and come up with more diverse solutions,” Ruben explains. “It allowed me to take a step back and absorb different perspectives in similar topics. It was a really enriching experience.”

During his fellowship, Ruben worked closely with Eran Rotshenker, NYU Tel Aviv’s manager of student life and housing. Rotshenker guided Ruben as he navigated more sensitive topics like the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and the intersection of LGBTQ+ identity and religion in Israel. “Global Equity Fellows should be passionate about what they want to promote—and should also be tuned in to the community they are serving,” Rotshenker says. “Having stayed in Tel Aviv before that fall, Ruben already knew what was essential to share with the NYU Tel Aviv community. I truly enjoyed seeing how he took the opportunity to share his knowledge and experience with the new group of students and witnessing his transformation into the social leader he is today.”

A Safe Space for Growth

Mi-Kaisha Masella

At NYU Berlin, Tisch School of the Arts senior Mi-kaisha Masella found ways to prioritize listening and create safe spaces for students—and herself—to learn and grow. She developed a close mentor relationship with former staff member Linn Friedrichs, who is now the deputy head of college at Mahindra United World College in India, and she soon felt comfortable sharing ideas and brainstorming solutions for various challenges. Mi-kaisha also spent time meeting with students and talking through their concerns together. “I wanted my peers to be open and honest about their experiences, both positive and negative, at NYU Berlin as well as in the city at large,” she explains. For her research project, Mi-kaisha developed a training module for faculty and staff at NYU Berlin on trauma-informed teaching practices. “I was proud to develop a resource for the NYU Berlin community to use that will support the creation of a safer, more inclusive, and more informed learning community in the future,” she says.

Diving Into Research

For his research project, NYU Buenos Aires GEF and College of Arts and Science senior Ivan Brea turned his attention to the local LGBTQ+ community and dance. “Out of all Argentina’s cultural intricacies, perhaps no dance form is more heavily linked with Argentina’s history than the tango,” Ivan explains. “And in recent years, Argentine tango has undergone a cultural transformation initiated by the LGBTQ+ community.” Now it’s more common to see two men, two women, or people of any gender dancing the tango together in addition to the traditional form featuring a man and a woman. “Queer tango has become a tool for the LGBTQ+ community to maintain their own cultural identity while serving as an expression of their queerness,” he argues in his research project.

Ivan Brea on a visit to Iguazú Falls during his time at NYU Buenos Aires

During his fellowship, Ivan also organized a number of other initiatives for the NYU Buenos Aires community. Under the guidance of Assistant Director of Student Life Paula Di Marzo and other faculty, he held weekly Breathing Room sessions, where students could discuss IDBEA issues they experienced both in and out of the classroom. He hosted events like Ni Una Menos and the Global Feminist Tide with Professor Cecilia Palmeiro and Queer Cultures in Context with Professor Mariano López Seoane. Ivan also took care to prioritize everyday things that would make Argentina feel more like home, such as finding restaurants that serve traditional food or salons that cut non-Argentine hair. “Because heavy topics such as race, sexuality, and gender can look very different in a new cultural context, I really wanted to make people feel more comfortable,” Ivan says. “The fellowship was an amazing way to be there for my fellow students.”

Wherever they are in the world, GEFs are one of many resources available to help NYU students make the most of their time in an unfamiliar place. “Inclusion, diversity, belonging, equity, and accessibility are big topics and key pillars of our communities as well as our personal lives,” says Mi-kaisha. And as ambassadors of these topics, GEFs are an integral part of helping NYU students feel at home abroad—while challenging them to expand their definitions of community and culture.

Written by Sarah Bender

Fall 2022 Orientation Week in Images

Posted on September 19, 2022, modified on September 19, 2022 by Kristin Law

Orientation Week at NYU global locations introduces students to the history and culture of their new home through exciting programming. Additionally, students receive important academic information to set them up for success during their time away.

NYU Abu Dhabi

A student surfing down a hill of sand as other students wait for their turn.

NYU Abu Dhabi welcomes more than 120 study away students from New York City and Shanghai. Staff members love to introduce them to the Emirates with a weekend trip to Dubai and a cultural day in Abu Dhabi.

NYU Florence

Students sitting in the amphitheater as they learn from an authority figure.

New students at NYU Florence attend a session about community values in the amphitheater on the beautiful 57-acre estate of Villa La Pietra.

NYU Madrid

A group of students gathering with a professor on the street in Madrid.

NYU Madrid orientation week features great academic activities like Mapping Madrid, a series of five tours in five city locations led by five NYU Madrid professors. This location is Tetuán, a barrio of contrasts where many cultures mix.

NYU Paris

Four students posing for the camera with the Eiffel Tower visible in the background.

Fall 2022 students enjoy Paris on a boat cruise along the Seine during Welcome Week.

NYU Prague

A trio of students surveying the front of the Municipal House.

Students admire the Municipal House, where the independent Czechoslovakia was established in 1918. During orientation at NYU Prague, they walk around the historical center of Prague while asking questions about Czech history.

NYU Sydney

A student role playing at parliament, while other students are sitting in rows behind them.

At NYU Sydney, students visit the New South Wales Parliament House, the oldest house of parliament in Australia. Students role play as speaker of the house, government members, or opposition members.

NYU Tel Aviv

Students, staff, and faculty convene at the traditional faculty panel and welcome dinner during orientation week at NYU Tel Aviv.

NYU Washington, D.C.

A professor lecturing in front of a projection screen.

Professor Vicky Kiechel leads a Washington 101 session for students during orientation week at NYU Washington, DC.

Staff Spotlight: Edan Raviv, Assistant Director of Academics, NYU Tel Aviv

Posted on May 9, 2022 by Katie L

Edan Raviv

Spending a semester in Tel Aviv, Israel, provides “a little bit of everything,” says Edan Raviv, assistant director of academics at NYU Tel Aviv. “There’s challenging courses, amazing networking opportunities, and a unique culture and society. It’s a more off-the-beaten-path experience for NYU students.”

Staff members like Raviv help students navigate the excitement and complexity of Tel Aviv from day one. The program includes an intensive weeklong orientation, with workshops on acclimatization, political diversity, basic Hebrew, and more. Guest lecturers, including Israeli diplomats, artists, and academics, teach students about Israel’s rich history and culture. A highlight for many students, says Raviv, is a visit to the Yitzhak Rabin Center, a famed museum and education institute.

Born to Israeli parents and raised in California, Raviv went to college at UC Santa Barbara, then earned his MA in Politics from NYU (2008), and later moved to Israel to pursue a PhD at Tel Aviv University. When he heard about the assistant director role at NYU Tel Aviv, he found it to be “an amazing fit,” combining his bicultural identity, background in academia, and administrative skills. He’s been in the role since fall 2016, supporting participants “to grow as students and as citizens.”

Throughout the semester, students receive ongoing personal support and myriad academic opportunities. For those interested in studying innovation, the program offers a generous grant. Students connect with staff members and one another through a weekly newsletter, an active Facebook group, and frequent WhatsApp chats. Off-campus, Tel Aviv offers students internships at burgeoning start-ups, prominent human rights organizations, and renowned museums.

A professor lectures a class of students

Raviv leads the Religion, Politics and the State in Comparative Perspective course.

In addition to participating in internships and cultural activities, students at NYU Tel Aviv have access to a world-class roster of professors as they learn about the history and politics of the region. And thanks to the program’s smaller scale, adds Raviv, students can connect with staff on an individual level. “My favorite part of the job is interacting with students from all over the world,” he says. “Knowledge, insight, and innovation can come from anywhere, regardless of age, previous knowledge, or background. Over the course of each semester, the students here learn so much, but I feel like I learn just as much, too.”

“The best part about NYU Tel Aviv is the diversity of experiences and perspectives,” affirms Raviv. “Students who want to grow—not just academically, but personally, socially, culturally, and professionally—will be very satisfied here.”

NYU Anthropology and Journalism Major Lands Internship at Haaretz

Posted on April 18, 2022, modified on April 18, 2022 by Kristin Law

When Anthropology and Journalism major Andrew Califf decided to spend a semester at NYU Tel Aviv, he thought he might get the opportunity to gain direct experience in social media management or land a general journalism internship. What he actually achieved, in just a few months, was the publication of multiple articles in Haaretz—the Israeli equivalent of the New York Times. This incredible experience helped bring him closer to his dream career.

From Internship to Mentorship

Andrew Califf

The third-year College of Arts and Science (CAS) student was no stranger to studying abroad. He had already spent a semester in Shanghai, wanting to take full advantage of the global campus that inspired him to enroll in NYU in the first place. But this time, he was determined to immerse himself in his passion for archaeology through NYU’s program in Tel Aviv. Israel, with its proximity to diverse Middle Eastern cultures and its incredible wealth of ruins, seemed like a perfect fit. And when he realized the opportunities Haaretz presented, it sealed the deal. “I met with an internship coordinator from Haaretz when I was in Nicaragua at an archaeology field school this summer,” Andrew says. “She had seen some of the fieldwork I was doing on my website, and the first thing we talked about was the archaeology department there. I didn’t even know that was a possibility!”

And what a treasure trove of possibilities it was. Though the newspaper’s archaeology section is widely read, publishing high-profile stories that attract the attention of the Smithsonian and National Geographic, the department is very small. Editor Ruth Schuster—whom Andrew would come to work directly with as he learned the ropes and mastered the tools of the trade—writes a large portion of the articles. “At first, I was in over my head,” Andrew admits. “I had to learn very quickly—to be able to take a step back from failure and figure out how to breeze through that part of the editing process the next time.” But before long, Andrew moved from simple listicles to features and news stories. “Ruth is one of the best archaeological journalists there is,” he says. “She saw my talent and desire to succeed, and because of her help and support, I’m gaining exponentially more than I ever thought I could from this experience.”

The city of Tel Aviv behind the Jaffa Clock Tower

Opportunities Abroad

Beyond Haaretz, the region has much to offer Andrew during his time abroad. At NYU Tel Aviv, he has found a great circle of peers driven by excellence and committed to making a difference. “This is a very healthy environment for me,” he says. “I’m writing about people who have been dead for thousands of years, but I’m surrounded by people with such passion for things that are afflicting the world today. People come here to help refugees, teach English, and work in conflict resolution. Working amid that energy is just incredible.” In his free time, Andrew ventures beyond the city, traveling to other parts of Israel as well as Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, and Tunisia.

Andrew Califf standing in a rock crevice

Photo of Andrew Califf by Rishi Dhir

When he’s not out exploring, Andrew relies on interviews to connect to those out in the field he hopes to join someday. “Archaeologists and anthropologists have time for you, and they love talking about what they’ve found,” Andrew says. At the same time, he uses his journalistic skills to zero in on unique findings, to make his work stand out from other publications covering the same story like CNN and National Geographic. “Being able to tell good stories while conducting good fieldwork is so important,” Andrew emphasizes. “If you go out and discover incredible places and incredible artifacts, you shouldn’t hide that in a boring abstract and a boring background with hundreds of footnotes. The combination of work I’m pursuing—it feels like I’m doing what I’ve always been called to do.”

Thinking about the future, Andrew has his sights set on an internship with National Geographic. He also hopes to do fieldwork in Mongolia, another step on his path toward specializing in journalism and archaeology in remote areas. He’s excited for his upcoming senior year and wants to pursue honors in both anthropology and journalism.

Written by Sarah Bender