"For me, going abroad seemed too far away; staying home seemed too close. NSE was the perfect choice!"

Lauren Flaherty
Sonoma State University
to the University of Northern Colorado

When most people think of exchange, they think of crossing oceans and international borders which may be thousands of miles from home. These global living and learning opportunities are encouraged by colleges and universities throughout the country. Thinking globally, however, may begin a bit closer to home through the National Student Exchange.

The National Student Exchange was founded as a parallel to study abroad programs, recognizing that often language, cost, and program compatibility make studying in the United States and Canada more practical and beneficial for some students than studying abroad. As you consider exchange locations, you may find the National Student Exchange to be a better fit for your academic and personal goals and objectives.

"NSE is the ultimate college experience.Going away not only creates a sense of independence, but every door of life is opened – culturally, academically, and socially."

Michelle Ankenbauer
SUNY College at Buffalo
to the University of South Carolina

NSE is an association of colleges and universities in the United States and Canada which has provided exchange opportunities to more than 94,000 undergraduate students since its founding in 1968. Students must be enrolled at one of NSE’s Member Universities in order to apply for exchange; and exchanges are only available at other member institutions. Students apply for participation on their home campus and either pay their normal tuition to their home campus or pay at the host campus as if they were a resident.

Most of your general questions about NSE can be answered by information in the How It Works section. The specifics of how the program works on your own campus will be addressed by the NSE coordinator on the campus at which you are enrolled. For information on offices which administer NSE see NSE Campuses Offices. When you meet with your coordinator, you will receive an NSE Directory which details program policies and procedures as well as provides specific information about, and limitations related to, each college and university holding membership in NSE. You will also receive an application for exchange designed by and for your campus.

In NSE, you work directly with your home NSE coordinator through the application, placement and pre-departure processes. You apply for participation on your home campus. Placements are accepted at host campuses on a space-available basis. Your home NSE coordinator will give you campus-specific, written requirements regarding eligibility, application, financial aid, placement, post-placement, academic advising, and other procedures appropriate to the campus at which you are enrolled. Following placement, you will be contacted by your host NSE campus coordinator and given written instructions for timely follow-through regarding housing, registration, enrollment, and payment.

One of the early exchange participants called NSE a "…mind stretcher in terms of both academic and personal experiences." He said it was "...an opportunity to refresh your whole life in a new environment and see wonders about yourself and others. It’s what life should be – a continuum of new and fresh learning, deepening appreciations, and widening horizons."