University of the Virgin Islands students have the opportunity to study at more than 200 different schools, while paying the same UVI tuition rate. This is possible with the National Student Exchange (NSE) program. NSE not only allows UVI students the chance to attend other universities, but also allows students from other universities to attend UVI for either a semester or an academic year. NSE applications, at a fee of $95, are being accepted until December 7.

NSE offers students the opportunity to explore other cultures, enroll in courses not presently offered at their home schools, become acquainted with graduate schools, and make new friends. "I have matured a lot being so far away from home in somewhere so different," said UVI sophomore Zach Giesick. Giesick is an NSE student from Montana State University at Bozeman. " I certainly would not have been able to take scuba-diving class in Montana."

UVI's Counseling and Placement Centers are currently accepting applications from UVI students for the Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 semesters. More than 53 percent of NSE students travel more than 2,000 miles to attend their host school. The program includes more than 200 schools in the mainland United States, along with Hawaii, Guam, Alaska, Canada and Puerto Rico. This semester a UVI student attended The University of Hawaii at Hilo.

NSE offers two plans of tuition and fee payment. Plan A allows students to pay their host school's tuition and fees at the in-state rate. Plan B allows students to pay their normal home school tuition. Housing accommodations differ at the schools; some require students to live on-campus. If students live on-campus, those fees will be paid directly to their host school. "The NSE ended up costing me less than my home school, and I had an experience that I will never forget," said senior psychology major Ann Sacia, St.Thomas NSE student from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.

Fourteen NSE students have come from all over the United States to attend UVI this Fall semester. Some NSE students like Sophomore Robyn Thaney from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities have decided to extend their exchange for an academic year. "I have met amazing people and I was able to take a biology class and actually interact with ocean life", said Thaney. Other NSE students liked UVI's St. Thomas campus so much they decided to permanently transfer, like Sophomore Gered Trimble from Indiana.

NSE students say the program offers them a unique opportunity. "NSE has opened up my eyes to a different culture and added to my own personal development," said Chris Cockrell, a political science major and UVI St. Croix campus NSE student from Arkansas. " I gained an understanding of the Caribbean culture through several history and contemporary study based classes and had the opportunity to get involved with the local community, which was amazing,"

For more information and details on the St. Thomas campus contact Counseling Supervisor/NSE Coordinator Andrea Hamm at 693-1136 or hamm@uvi.edu. For the St. Croix campus contact Counseling Supervisor/NSE Coordinator Doris Farrington-Hepburn at 692-4187 or dfarrin@uvi.edu.