A lot can be learned from reading a textbook but there’s so much more in the world that can’t be experienced through a textbook. Stan State’s National Student Exchange (NSE) program offers students the freedom to travel domestically and internationally while being accredited for course work. Through studying abroad, students are able to engage in domestic and international relationships while building monumental global connections.
NSE presents students with the opportunity to form new relationships while indulging in culture shock. Students are able to practice character building while exploring opportunities within diverse cultural communities.
Per Stan State, the program includes a series of campuses in multiple host destinations including; the United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. While many locations may be enticing, the importance of studying is always a prime focus.
Emily Ros (junior, Biology) said she gathered her thoughts pre departure to South Korea last spring where she studied biology.
“Once I was on that plane, I knew there was no going back.” Ros said.
She said she was excited about the opportunities that transpired from her experiences.
”You’re able to explore,” she said. “You’re able to put that on your resume, you’re able to make connections that people will be interested in.”
While studying in South Korea, Ros visited places such as Seoul, the capital of the country and the largest metropolis area in land, a place she had never imagined visiting before the NSE program.
“The culture shock was the amount of quiet people I came across.,” she said. “You wouldn’t hear any small talk. It just doesn’t exist over there,” she said.
While she called South Korea her home campus for the Spring of 2022, Ros was in awe with the pride of the Korean culture and intrigued with how people interacted socially.
“My biggest takeaways would be how nice the people are and how their monuments are so rich with history,” she said. “They take pride in their country.”
With the program encouraging students to study and enrich their knowledge through experiences, students like Annabelle Fitch (senior, English), took to a different country offered by the program, England.
“I’ve always wanted to go to the UK (United Kingdom), and this was my way to visit the country.” Fitch said.
Fitch learned about the program through Stan State’s summer and winter extended courses. She had been intrigued with the idea that she could potentially study in a country she only wished to visit at some point in her lifetime post studies. The opportunity presented itself after various applications and interviews.
“I went to the University of Birmingham,” she said. “I studied english and basically it was, read a book a week, self paced, and no set professors.”
A perfect balance of school and life.
“The amount of student involvement was special,” Fitch said. “The dorms felt very communal. They very much encourage the community through campus. Something we sort of don’t see here.”
Being adamant about change, Fitch shared where she is inclined to make a difference on the Stan State campus.
“I would definitely make clubs and community meetings more accessible to people,” she said. “The meetings on campus are usually when people have work and it’s something we need to change.”
Fitch’s time in the NSE program has made her consider applying for a Masters program in the UK.
“I think if you’re trying to get a job globally, or something in an international field, then it definitely does help to say I’ve gone abroad and know different cultures,” she said.
After hearing remarks from Ros and Fitch, the National Student Exchange can be a beneficial program to take advantage of.
Shared stories from the NSE have made others consider a future semester abroad, too.
Students like Arely Garcia (junior, Education) has looked into the opportunities that come with studying abroad.
“I’m looking forward to possibly being a student abroad,” Garcia said. “I hear about the opportunities and the experiences some people take away, and who wouldn’t want to travel and study, but ultimately build relationships that can sprout into something more beyond university?”
With the proper tools and promotion of the program on campus, students can find interest and guidance through the right resources in order to study abroad themselves.
The program is always taking in applicants for future study abroad students and encourages students to attend informational seminars held monthly. Post seminar, students will be able to meet with an advisor from the study abroad department to learn and talk about future study abroad plans and goals.
To contact the study abroad department, email them at [email protected]or call (209) 667-3117.