The National Student Exchange program at UW-Eau Claire is celebrating its twentieth year.
Throughout those years, there has been a continuous increase in the number of participating students from year to year, said Mary Ryan-Miller, associate dean of student development.
“In the 1990-91 school year … only 16 students participated in an exchange,” she said. “This year, we have 44 students choosing to spend either a semester or the full year at an exchange school.”
| “I think NSE is one of the best experiences students can have.” –Mary Ryan-Miller Associate Dean of Student Development |
The NSE program gives students the opportunity to spend a semester or a year at another school in a different part of the country while paying Eau Claire tuition. Additional costs are added for boarding, meals and personal expenses.
There are about 180 schools participating in the NSE program, including schools in Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Ryan-Miller said the number of participating schools has also increased since the program began.
Students who have been in the program have chosen to sign up for many reasons, including climate change, diversity of environment and personal growth.
“I think NSE is one of the best experiences students can have,” Ryan-Miller said. ” … There is no richer experience for personal, academic and life-changing growth.”
Senior Leslie Haralson spent the 2002-2003 school year, at Southwest Texas State University (now called Texas State University- San Marcos).
“I met some really great friends down in Texas,” she said. “I was able to travel all over the state – Houston, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio – and took a spring break trip to Mexico.”
Haralson said while in Texas, she went to dance halls and learned how to two-step.
Other things she said she did for entertainment included swimming, tanning after class and playing volleyball.
In comparison to sister UW schools, Eau Claire has a much higher percentage of students in its exchange programs.
Ryan-Miller attributed this to the greater number of students willing to seek opportunities and take a risk.
| National Student Exchange informational meeting
Time: 2 p.m.Date: Friday, Nov. 19 Place: The Alumni Room, Davies Center |
The next NSE informational meeting is at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, in the Alumni Room in Davies Center.
“I think the NSE program at UWEC is great,” Haralson said. “I think more people need to know about it. Everyone is aware of the study abroad programs, but students need to know they can also attend universities across the U.S.”
