GENERAL INFORMATION AND PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES
PROGRAM ACCESS
Some NSE colleges and universities offer international/study abroad programs which can be accessed through the National Student Exchange. NSE lists these international/study abroad opportunities as a service to our member institutions and to interested students.
Programs listed at this site are open to NSE students under the following conditions:
- You should investigate these options 8-10 months prior to participation.
- Space in international programs may be competitive and limited.
- You must inform your home NSE coordinator of your intention to participate in an international program.
- You must meet the eligibility requirements of both the NSE program and the host institution's study abroad program.
- You must submit both an NSE application and a separate application to the host campus for the particular international program in which you would like to participate.
- International program deadlines may be earlier than deadlines for NSE.
- Placement at an NSE campus does not guarantee participation in the host institution's international program.
Participation in study abroad programs requires advanced planning, special arrangements, and payment over and above normal tuition/fees. Some programs are offered on a space-available basis only; and others are competitive. Placement in programs may be restricted. Some campuses allow NSE students to apply for their international programs from their home campus. This access is referred to as direct. Other host campuses require physical attendance as an NSE student for one term. While on the host campus, as part of the NSE program, you can then apply for participation in the institution's international program(s). This access is referred to as host enroll. In addition to tuition (Plan A: paid to the host or Plan B: paid at home), students participating in international programs will incur expenses for program fees, transportation, room, meals, and incidentals. Programs which indicate campus utilize a different fee structure than Plan A or Plan B for program participation. Personal finances as well as availability and portability of financial aid must be carefully explored.
QUESTIONS TO ASK
Use the contact information at the International Study listings to request program information and application materials. After you have reviewed the program materials, below are a few questions to ask the host campus about each study abroad option under consideration.
Application Process
- Will I be considered with other applicants from your campus, or will I be eligible only for unfilled places?
Cost
- Is NSE the best and least expensive way to access the international program?
- What are all the costs associated with program participation (include tuition/fees, application fees, program fees, transportation, room, meals, incidentals, and other)?
- What costs are not covered?
- Can my financial aid (federal, state, institutional, and/or private) be utilized for international program participation? (Your home NSE coordinator is the best resource for this information.)
Pre-approval of Courses
- Can I obtain course descriptions for approval on my campus for the work I will complete in this program? Are these available on the Web?
Program Support
- What kind of program support is offered by the sponsoring campus both home and abroad? Is it sufficient to meet my needs?
- Does the program include insurance? If so, what does it cover and for what cost?
Transcripts
- Who is going to issue my transcript?
- Will all the course work (with titles, credit hours, and grades) I take at the international site appear on the transcript of the sponsoring NSE host campus?
- Must I have the transcript from my international site evaluated by an independent agency? (Note if the answer to this question is yes, NSE recommends you do not pursue this option.)
If you feel uncomfortable with any of the information you receive, take the time to discuss the issues with your NSE coordinator and academic advisor. Also consider your own personal health issues and discuss them with a physician during the application process. Once accepted into an international program, international medical insurance is strongly advised and may be required by your host NSE university.
TERMINOLOGY
Access
- direct = students may apply and go directly from their home campus.
- host enroll = student must be physically attending the sponsoring campus for one term prior to participation
- open = generally open to all eligible applicants until the program is filled
- competitive = not all eligible applicants will have the opportunity to participate
Tuition Payment and Other Fees
- Plan A = in-state (resident) tuition/fees paid to the sponsoring (host) campus and in addition to all other costs listed for the international site
NOTE: Plan A tuition/fees can be found in the NSE Directory available from the home campus NSE coordinator or at here in Campus Budgets
- Plan B = tuition/fees normally paid to the home campus and in addition to all other costs listed for the international site
- Campus = tuition/fees (may not be at in-state rates) paid to the sponsoring (host) campus and in addition to all other costs listed for the international site
Other Costs: In addition to tuition (Plan A: paid to the host or Plan B: paid at home), students participating in international programs will incur expenses for program fees, transportation, room, meals, and incidentals. Personal finances as well as availability and portability of financial aid must be carefully explored.
Apply Date
The application deadline is listed for the host institution's term for its study abroad program. The terms are coded as follows:
- FS = Fall Semester
- SS = Spring Semester
- FQ = Fall Quarter
- WQ = Winter Quarter
- SQ = Spring Quarter
- AY = Academic Year
- SU = Summer Session
- FT = Fall Term
- ST = Spring Term
- IS = Intersession
Additional Application Requirements: The application date is identified for the international program at the host campus. Students must also complete an NSE application at their home campus, in accordance with home campus NSE deadlines, and meet all NSE eligibility requirements. Approval from the home campus to participate in NSE does not guarantee participation in the international program of the host campus.
Contact Office
Additional information on the international program, application processes, requirements, and fees can be obtained from the contact person listed for the specific program. It is important to explore participation with the contact office at the sponsoring campus AND the NSE coordinators at both home and host institutions.
PERSONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
- Consult your physician regarding health issues.
- Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding information on health issues specific to your intended location.
- Contact the embassy or consulate of each country you plan to visit for visa and travel information.
- Contact the U.S. State Department regarding information on safety and travel to your selected location.
- Familiarize yourself with the local laws and customs of your intended exchange site.
- Once accepted into an international program, international medical insurance is strongly advised and may be required by your host NSE university.
HEALTH AND SAFETY RESOUCES FOR STUDY ABROAD
Center for Global Education
Features a Study Abroad Safety Handbook (How to Get There...And Back) which raises questions about investigating study abroad programs, travel planning, basic health and safety issues, risk factors, how foreign laws apply to U.S. citizens, and tips on dealing with cultural differences. The site also links to other on-line study abroad resources.
http://www.studentsabroad.com
U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings and Consular Information
Lists travel warnings for U.S. citizens and/or health issues in individual countries as well as announcements for particular regions.
http://travel.state.gov
U.S. Department of State Tips for Students
Provides a check list to make your trip easier.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_1232.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Includes vaccination recommendations and information on the latest outbreaks of diseases around the world. Also provides health information on specific destinations.
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/
DISCLAIMER
NSE lists study abroad opportunities as a service to our member institutions as well as to interested students and accepts no responsibility or liability for the quality of programs listed or the services provided.
Study abroad program information, participation guidelines, and costs are provided by sponsoring member colleges and universities and are subject to change without notice. NSE takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the information presented.
