National Student Exchange

While international study abroad programs seem to be too costly to many students, the National Student Exchange (NSE) gives students the opportunity to experience a culturally different and diverse place to study at a more affordable price. According to the program's website, the NSE includes more than 200 colleges and universities and has provided exchange opportunities for more than 90,000 students since 1968. The program's website includes links to each member campus' website, listings of the majors at each university and other information for students.

Students at Western also have the option of studying at a different school for either one term or an entire year. If there is a school that caters better to some of your academic interests than Western there is a good possibility that the NSE could give you the chance to diversify your academic experience.

So far, Western has had four students participate in the program and has also hosted four students from other schools.

The NSE is also a good option for those students who cannot afford to study internationally but still want to experience an academic atmosphere outside of Western. There are two different payment plans for those who are accepted into the program. Students approved to participate under NSE Plan A, pay the in-state/resident tuition and fees at the host campus. Students approved to participate under NSE Plan B pay their normal WOU tuition and fees to Western. Housing and meal expenses are paid at the host campus. Western charges a non-refundable $150 application fee to students interested in exchange during the 08-09 academic year. More information on what plan you might be approved for can be received from Debbie Diehm, Western's NSE Coordinator.

According to Diehm, it is possible for a Western student, on exchange during fall 2008, to pay as little as $100 more (a small per term or semester NSE fee charged by most of the universities) for tuition and fees than it would at Western.

The NSE program requires that coursework completed on exchange be credited back to the student's academic program at their home campus. Each student is required to meet with their academic advisor before the exchange and develop an advising agreement for the NSE exchange. The credits earned on exchange are not transfer credits. program in the past had several positive things to say about the program.

Jessica Montas, a Western student who spent the fall of 2006 at the Florida International University in Miami, said, "The NSE can be a new and growing experience that takes you out of the comfort of your home school that you are used to. It can open doors to other opportunities and you can learn new things that you might not learn here at WOU."

"It was exciting to study at different schools and meet all kinds of people," commented Chris Plouhar from the University of New Orleans, who spent the 2006-7 academic year at Western. "There was not one time I felt unwelcome."

The placement rate of the program is 97 percent, giving students the freedom to choose where they want to go with certainty. Those who choose to apply must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA and be a full-time student with sophomore standing. Student applicants will also be required to provide academic and personal goal statements, recommendation letters and to complete an interview with Western's NSE Coordinator (Debbie Diehm).• Students who have benefited from the