ASC students have opportunities to study throughout the nation

Adams State College students can now attend college in universities across the nation through the National Student Exchange Program.

Bobbi Jo Keefer, director of Student Life, spearheaded the project.

“I’m a firm believer in study abroad and opportunities for students to experience as much as they can,” Keefer said. “This can be a great way to open students’ eyes to discover more about their world.”

Adams State students continue to pay Adams State tuition while attending an NSE university.

Priscilla Gardea ’06 plans to attend Keene State College in New Hampshire. She said it is an opportunity she couldn’t pass up. “To pay Adams State tuition but attend an out-of-state college is a great opportunity.”

She said it is the excitement of a brand new school, living in the dorms again, and building new friendships that contributed to her decision to join the National Student Exchange Program.

“I want to get the most from my undergraduate experience,” Gardea said. “Going to a new school for my final semester will be like reliving my freshman year.”

Gardea is an English major with minors in history and women’s studies.

“Keene has a great women’s studies program and a selection of wide and varying English courses and it is small,” Gardea said. “I believe you encounter friendlier people on smaller campuses and towns.”

“College happens on campus, not in the classroom,” Gardea said. “I’ve heard the east coast is a different culture than the west. I’m looking forward to seeing what another school does for homecoming, games, and what their clubs and events are like.”

According to the website < www.nse.org > the National Student Exchange was established in the 1967-68 academic year with three state-supported campuses in the United States exchanging seven students among their universities.

Administrators on those campuses wanted to help students who could not take advantage of studying abroad by providing an opportunity to learn about new people and new places through study in another part of the United States

Using NSE, students could exchange to state-supported NSE member campuses in other states without having to pay the high cost for out-of-state tuition. NSE has retained that basic idea during its development as it has grown to 180 member campuses placing nearly 3500 students for exchange annually.

“Students can study for up to a full academic year at a participating university,” Keefer said. “There are colleges in Canada, Guam, and US provinces that are a part of this program.”

According to Keefer academic credits taken at the NSE University can be transferred to Adams State College. Students are eligible for the program as long as they maintain a 2.7 GPA.

For more information contact Bobbi Jo Keefer at 719-587-8191.

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