Most university students have heard about the international opportunities in a study abroad program, but not all are aware of the experiences students can take part in nationally through the National Student Exchange Program.
At noon on Friday there will be a meeting in the Davies Theatre to inform students interested in participating in next year’s exchange about the program. Another meeting will take place Nov. 11 for those who can’t make the first one.
Besides having a directory listing of participating schools, the meeting will cover things like the application process and program requirements. Because the application process is an annual one, students who are interested in exchanging some time next school year must start preparing their application material now, Mary Ryan-Miller, associate dean of students and National Student Exchange coordinator said.
Former NSE participants will also be at the meeting to discuss their experiences and answer questions related to the exchange program.
“It was the best thing I did while I was at school,” senior Megan Clarey said about her study at the University of the Virgin Islands at St. Thomas last year. “It broke up the whole four year school plan.”
The NSE program consists of 174 colleges and universities located throughout 49 of the United States, the Virgin Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico and most recently Canada. Students may request up to five schools that interest them on the application. Usually students get their first or second choice depending on the popularity of the school and the limit it has on the number of students they send and receive each year.
Not every school can let every student in, Ryan-Miller said. Students tend to choose coastal schools, she said. Since Eau Claire students pay in-state tuition no matter where they choose to exchange, schools can lose out on a lot of money. If a school allows more students to come to their school than they exchange out, that school loses out on thousands of dollars in tuition.
Besides not having to pay out-of-state tuition, NSE participants can still get Eau Claire financial aid and their credits still count as resident credits. The university and the NSE program work hard to make sure that credits transfer between schools for specific classes, Ryan-Miller said.
“All of my credits transferred,” Clarey said. However, she recommends that students consider going during their sophomore or junior year, before they fulfill all of their GE credits.
Still, sometimes students choose to take classes that they would not have an opportunity to in Eau Claire, despite whether or not the credits transfer.
One student wanted to major in anthropology here at Eau Claire, but the university only offers it as a minor, Ryan-Miller said. So the student chose to attend a school in Alaska where she could take a wide variety of anthropology classes that could not be offered at Eau Claire.
There are even resident assistant exchange opportunities for those who want to be a resident assistant at another university.
About 4,000 students exchange nationally through the Student Exchange program, Ryan-Miller said. “No matter where students go, the opportunities are so wonderful,” she said.
Applications are due Feb. 15 for students who want to exchange for fall, or spring semester or the entire 2002-2003 academic year.
Clarey recommends students enroll for an entire year. By the time the semester ends, you’ll have made so many friends and you won’t want to go home already, she said.
After they apply, students will know what school they will be enrolled next year by the second week in March, Ryan-Miller said.
Once they know where they will be studying, the housing, registration and financial aid process begins to ensure that everything will be completed before their enrollment at the exchange institution.
To qualify for the NSE program students must be enrolled as a full-time student and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or more. Also, students must have at least 30 credits completed by the time they exchange.
The application procedure consists of a $60 fee, as well as a written statement of purpose, two written recommendations and an interview with the NSE coordinator.
“Exchange opportunities are the most marvelous opportunities for growth and development,” Ryan-Miller said. “It’s wonderful to watch these students transform in the time they’re gone.”
Not all experiences are as life changing as others, but it’s possible, she said, commenting on one student who changed her major and met her future husband while participating in the exchange program.
If students are unable to attend any of the upcoming meetings, students are encouraged to stop by the Dean of Students office at 240 Schofield Hall or access the NSE Web site at www.uwec.edu/admin/dso/nse. The site includes links to all participating NSE schools.