A new perspective: The National Student Exchange program
In the day and age where studying abroad is “the best experience that you will ever have” there are alternatives to the ultimatum that some may have never even known about. There are a thousand and one reasons to study abroad, and for some students, there are even more reasons why this idea isn’t realistic for their path in life.
An alternative to ultimatum that is studying abroad, is the National Student Exchange. The NSE is a program ran through Northern Arizona University’s Center for International Education, and provides students with the means to experience diversity, and various aspects of culture, while never having to obtain a passport or visa, or in most cases, learn a new language.
NSE is an exchange program that operates entirely within the confines of The United States, and its surrounding territories such as Puerto Rico and Guam. Although NSE acts as an exchange program, it is operated under different logistical means than that of studying abroad. The biggest difference between the two is that NSE is federalized, and many universities are members of the mother program, which is the NSE. Studying abroad is syndicated through specific programs from specific universities, narrowing the options for the student dependent on where they are currently studying. This is not the case with NSE.
NSE offers over 200 universities from across the globe for students to apply for, and receive domestic prices, and receive their individual financial aid that they are earing at their home universities.
“Lack of funds should never really be used as a viable excuse for participating in the NSE. There are so many ways that we can really work out a way for you to experience another perspective of education,” said NAU coordinator of NSE Andrew Sarricano.
Various universities from almost all 50 states are members of the NSE. These universities include: the University of Alabama, the University of Hawaii, the University of Arizona and many more.
On top of the domestic universities that are members of the NSE, there are also various universities in Canada, Puerto Rico and Guam that students can also exchange to a part of the program.
“Even though our [program’s] name is “National Student Exchange” we also pride ourselves on offering institutions that are not within our coastal borders,” Sarricano said.
With all of these options in tow, the true difficulty with the program comes in deciding what university to attend. The NSE recommends that you choose an institution that catalyzes the individual’s personal growth, while also challenging the individual academically.
“Choosing was the most difficult part,” said NSE Participant Emery Littlefield. “There are too many reasons for each and every school, and I ended up choosing Fort Lewis College in Colorado because I enjoyed the surrounding area so much.”
For some students, exchanging to another university can be as inspiring as studying abroad in a foreign country.
“It is one thing to go visit another city, or state. But to live there and experience a whole different form of education and perspective; it was a pretty eye-opening experience to say the least, especially because I was born and raised in Flagstaff,”
Eligibility requirements for applying for the NSE include a lack of institutional probations, and a minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.5. There is a rigorous application and vetting process that helps ensure that the people participating in this program are the people that are going to make the most out of their opportunities.
“Ultimately, the goal of the NSE is to offer students the chance to experience cultural diversity, and expand their knowledge in ways that are more difficult to do with one location for four years,” Sarricano said. “Its all about perspective, and allowing students to expereince a new perspective.”
