The National Student Exchange program (NSE) offers students the experience of study abroad, but without having to leave the country. 

NSE provides the opportunity for students to transfer to another university within the U.S., U.S. territories or Canada, while still paying the same tuition they do at Iowa State.

“Helping students to have an affordable study away experience, that is a high impact practice,” said Allison Severson, NSE coordinator.

Severson said since NSE is a more specialized program, it is not as well known. But they are working to make it as popular as study abroad programs are among students.

Robert Girard, NSE graduate assistant, said they are rapidly trying to expand their outreach in order to spread awareness about their program.

To do so, they are taking to social media, visiting classrooms and will soon have a booth in the Memorial Union, in addition to the informational sessions they host at 12:10 p.m. everyday in the Hixon-Lied Student Success Center.

“The personal development that happens is really cool to witness and I hope that we can continue to help more students participate in the program,” Severson said.

Severson said approximately 75 students a year participate in NSE and participation within the program has increased over the years. 

Some of the most popular universities for students to go to are schools in Hawaii.

Joey Freichels, senior in finance, is one of those students who chose Hawaii as their NSE destination.

Freichels embarked on his journey as a sophomore in the fall of 2016 when he spent an entire year studying at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa.

While there, Freichels said he found himself experiencing “basically a year of vacation.”

But Freichels said he also experienced a lot of independence during his time away from Iowa State.

“You learn a lot about yourself,” Freichels said. “It’s only you, so you have to learn everything.”

Freichels said after opening himself up to new possibilities through the program, he has become more friendly and open than he was prior to leaving.

For any students considering NSE, Freichels urges them to participate and take the risk.

“You’re young so you can handle it now,” Freichels said. “Be yourselves, go to a place where no one knows you and start all over again.”

Freichels enjoyed his experience in Hawaii so much that he is now an ambassador for NSE at Iowa State, and said he would love to go back to Hawaii over the summer.

For Taylor Gage, sophomore in elementary education, her adventure is just beginning. Gage will be leaving in the spring for the State University of New York College at Plattsburgh (SUNY) in New York to study there during the spring semester.

Gage described the initial application process as being fairly simple.

“Everyone is really helpful [which] makes it better,” Gage said.

Gage first applied to the NSE program through Iowa State, then was interviewed by Severson. She continued to apply to SUNY, followed by paperwork done through the university.

One of Gage’s major concerns when she goes away next semester is being away from her friends and family, she said.

However, on top of those nerves is a layer of excitement. Gage said she is eager to do something completely by herself and be independent. 

For students who may see the first steps as daunting, Gage said, “Just give it a try and talk to people about it, even if it’s not for you, at least you know you gave it a go.”

NSE has served as a gateway for Iowa State students over the past 20 years. 

“It’s really fun to watch students get that extra growth and self enrichment and their ability to interact with a world other than the one they’ve known,” Girard said.