{"id":210195,"date":"2019-09-03T14:50:08","date_gmt":"2019-09-03T18:50:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=210195"},"modified":"2019-09-05T14:32:06","modified_gmt":"2019-09-05T18:32:06","slug":"students-study-abroad-at-home-with-new-exchange-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2019\/09\/03\/students-study-abroad-at-home-with-new-exchange-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Students Study \u201cAbroad at Home\u201d with New Exchange Program"},"content":{"rendered":"

Montclair State University joined the National Student Exchange (NSE) program<\/a> this year, providing opportunities to undergraduate students for study across the United States and in several Canadian provinces.<\/p>\n

Montclair State students are now signing up to do a semester at out-of-state schools across North America at in-state rates \u2013 retaining all their financial aid. Students signed up for spring 2020 are headed to California, Quebec, Louisiana (New Orleans) and the U.S. Virgin Islands.<\/p>\n

As President Susan A. Cole told The Monclarion<\/em><\/a> in March, \u201cWe have this great big country here. \u2026 What about studying abroad at home?\u201d<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the University received its first cohort of incoming National exchange students in August. Arriving in Montclair before the first week of classes, the six students from Hawaii, Indiana, Tennessee and Utah received on-campus orientation from August 26-30.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo of the three students from Utah are actually international students from France and Switzerland catching an opportunity to see more of the United States,\u201d reported Wendy Gilbert-Simon, student mobility coordinator in the Office of International Engagement.<\/p>\n

The program presents an opportunity for students to enjoy the benefits of traveling and studying abroad and across the U.S. \u2013 as well as enjoying the presence of national and international student colleagues right here in Montclair.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are delighted to welcome our first cohort of National Student Exchange students to campus. While studying away either internationally or within the U.S. is the best way for Montclair State students to immerse themselves in other cultures, studying alongside students from other parts of the U.S. and the world adds to the vibrant diversity of Montclair State by bringing different perspectives and experiences to campus,\u201d said Domenica Dominguez, director of international engagement, Office of International Engagement.<\/p>\n

National Student Exchange participant Alyssa Henry, a Communications major coming to Montclair State from Purdue University in Fort Wayne, Indiana, was excited to be on campus in Montclair.<\/p>\n

\u201cI expressed to my NSE coordinator at my home campus what I wanted in an exchange experience and she directed me to Montclair, which provides me with those exact opportunities. I love the proximity to New York City, I love the opportunities to thrive and be creative in the Communications and Media departments, and I love the fact that I can pursue a dream I\u2019ve had for so long now while still in college,\u201d said Henry.<\/p>\n

Henry was so impressed by what the University offered, she did not select any other NSE option.<\/p>\n

\u201cNSE is structured so that students apply to their top five choices,\u201d said Gilbert-Simon. \u201cMontclair State was the No. 1 choice for all six students. In Alyssa’s case, she did not even list a No. 2 since her strategy was \u2018MSU or nothing.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Montclair State students can find out more about how and where they can study nationally and abroad at the Study Abroad Fair, Wednesday, Sept.18, 11 a.m. \u2013 3 p.m. at the Student Center Ballrooms.<\/p>\n

Follow the Office of International Engagement on instagram @montclairabroad or on Facebook at MontclairStateUniversity StudyAbroad.<\/p>\n

Email studyabroad@montclair.edu or call 973-655-6862.<\/p>\n