Exchange Hawaii for Oregon? Who would do that? Janis Taniguchi is a student who would.
Taniguchi, now a senior education major at the University of Hawaii, Manoa, wanted a chance to live on the mainland. But she couldn’t afford out-of-state tuition, she didn’t have scholarships and she didn’t want to lose valuable college credits.
So when she heard about the National Student Exchange program between the University of Hawaii and the University of Oregon, she knew it was the way to go.
Taniguchi is not alone. More than 70,000 people since 1968 have left their home schools to spend a year studying in another state through NSE.
Having returned to island life after a year in Duck territory, Taniguchi said she would not trade the experience for the world. She selected Oregon because she had never been to the state, yet it was relatively close to her home. During the year, she experienced Oregon culture, traveled to other states and made lasting friendships.
“The National Student Exchange program is good because it gives you a good foundation of friends you can connect with who are coming from a whole new place,” she said. “You’re not going there alone. You’re going there in a team.”
The NSE program enables students at more than 175 universities in 49 states and three U.S. territories to spend a year at an out-of-state school for a fraction of the non-resident fees. Full-time students with a minimum 2.5 grade point average can apply by February each year and have more than one school on the application. The application fee is $110.
If the student is accepted, the host school determines whether the student can attend on Plan A or Plan B. On Plan A, the student pays the host campus’ in-state tuition. On Plan B, the student pays tuition to his or her own school and receives any financial aid from it, as well.
NSE academic advisor Karen Cooper said 39 students left the University for exchange this year. In turn, 70 students came to the University through NSE. Normally, the University only sees 50 new faces on campus through the program.
Cooper said students from the University often take leave for the climate of Hawaii or Florida, or the business opportunities at schools in New York and Massachusetts. She said many of this year’s visiting participants are here from the Midwest, looking for a warmer climate and to experience some of Oregon’s natural beauty.
“It’s a chance for you to explore other parts of the United States and explore cultures and environments in another state — and go to school at a reasonable rate,” Cooper said.
She said students often participate to learn about a program of interest, research a graduate program or just get a taste of the Pacific Northwest culture. Often, Cooper said, students get hooked and wind up staying.
This was the case with Christine Mosbaugh, who decided to switch from the University of Washington after her year of exchange at the University.
“My experience with NSE is a little unique because I used the program as an opportunity to spend a year here at UO because I was thinking about transferring,” Mosbaugh said. “I received a lot of guidance and support from the NSE program, and it made the transfer a lot easier for me. … I think different university environments and students give a good perspective and chance for invaluable opportunities that you can’t experience if you never leave your school.”
For those looking to participate, Cooper said it’s better to start planning early, talking to advisors about what classes need to be taken and researching the availability of comparable classes at other schools. Interested students can attend meetings to find out more about the program. The first meeting is set for 3:30 p.m. Thursday in 360 Oregon Hall.