Illustration by Patrick Tran / The Collegian

Fresno State students study across the nation for the same cost as staying on campus

If you are looking to get out of the Central Valley for a while and study at a different college, but you do not have the money to pay all of the extra fees that are involved, there is a program that may be just for you.

National Student Exchange (NSE) is a program that allows students to study for up to one year at a different college or university in the U.S.

“There are approximately 222 schools in the U.S. that participate in this program,â€Â Marcia Romsa, study abroad advisor for Fresno State, said. “We have about 3,000 to 3,500 students participate in this program during the academic year. They always come back and say it’s the best thing they’ve ever done.â€Â

The reasons for why students participate in this program vary from person to person. For Carla Zamora, it was for the experience.

“I love to travel and learn about different people and cultures,â€Â Zamora said. “I also wanted to put myself outside my comfort zone and go with the flow. Above all I wanted to experience something new and different.â€Â

“One of my favorite things would be the tremendous personal growth that I experienced while I was doing the program. I was able to really learn about my strengths and weaknesses and what I want from life,â€Â Zamora said.

Zamora attended Texas State University in San Marcos, Tex. in fall 2006 and William Paterson University in Wayne, N.J. in the fall of 2007.

Though the students are attending a different college, they still remain students at their home schools, which means they do not have to pay out-of-state tuition and fees.

Students have a choice of two payment plans. Under Plan A, or the host payment, students pay the in-state tuition and fees directly to the host campus. Under Plan B, or the home payment, students pay the normal tuition and fees to their home institution. Plan B is the more popular one because students that receive financial aid are able to keep it, Romsa said.

In order to participate in the program, students have to be full-time status, have a minimum home campus cumulative GPA of 2.5, be in good academic standing, must not be on probation, parole, or have any pending legal judgments.

Taylor Westover, 21, is currently attending Texas State University in San Marcos, Tex. through the NSE program.

“I always thought it would be a great opportunity to travel to a different state to go to school,â€Â Westover said. “I love new experiences and traveling.â€Â

Students sign up for their classes at their host school the same way they do at their home school.
Those participating in the NSE program do not usually get priority registration, however, they do not get last pick either.

“The students still have to meet all of the regular university courtyard deadlines,â€Â Romsa said.

The program encourages students participating in the program to live on campus at their host school because it is a great way for the students to meet people and learn about the new culture they are in. If the school does not provide housing or the student chooses not to live there, however, they do not have to.

“They do have to pay for their transportation to get there, as well as housing and books just as they would here,â€Â Roma said.

Adapting to a new city was among the challenges faced by students in the program, but on they appreciated.

“I experienced being homesick for the first time in my life,â€Â Zamora said. “However, I learned to go with the flow and to truly make the most of what I have.â€Â

“I would highly recommend this program,â€Â Westover said. “You can go anywhere in the country for basically the same price as staying in Fresno. You get to

experience a whole new place. There is really never another time in your life where you can pick up and leave for a couple of months and then go back to your old life.â€Â