Studying Stateside

Growing up in Gulf Shores, Brandon Blair got used to the beach life. Last semester, the junior majoring in communications took his love for surf and sun to a new level and moved to the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

He did not transfer, and he will graduate on time from the Capstone.

Blair participated in the National Student Exchange, a program that operates throughout the United States, its territories and Canada.

NSE allows students to spend up to one calendar year at another participating school, taking the same classes they would take at their home institutions. The program has exchanges available in 195 colleges and universities, from the University of Guam to the University of Alaska at Anchorage.

Stacy Jones, director of student development and NSE coordinator for the University, strongly recommends the program.

"I think it's a really good program, and it gives students the opportunity to have an out-of-state experience without paying the out-of-state price," Jones said.

"One of the major selling points is that students who are planning on graduate school can go study at a school they're looking at without a firm commitment [for graduate school], kind of check things out, get situated, find a place to stay," she said.

Jones said such an approach is "a great alternative to showing up cold turkey."

Jones said she recommends the program even for students who don't have their eye on another degree.

"It's kind of like study abroad, but at home," she said. "Not many have the experience of traveling around the country."

"It's an opportunity to see a place that you probably wouldn't be able to see otherwise, to absorb the culture," Jones said, remarking that she would have taken advantage of such an opportunity if it had been available to her.

"Any kind of travel is a learning experience," said Christian Smith, a graduate assistant for student development.

Being able to "go to another university and live there, and take classes there, and be exposed to another campus culture" are among the program's virtues, she said.

"I think it's a wonderful opportunity to broaden your experience," Smith said, "and all of the classes you take are relevant to your major."

Students apply to up to five schools, and NSE places them in a university.

Blair also applied to the University of the Virgin Islands at St. Thomas and the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, but said that Hawaii was his "top choice."

Smith said students who are interested in applying should visit 230 Ferguson Center or go to www.nse.org.

Whether students can pay UA tuition during their exchange varies by institution, Smith said.

Blair, who found information about NSE on myBama, said "the staff was very, very helpful, and they walk you through every step" and he didn't have any problems preparing or paying for his exchange.

Blair said though classes were approached differently in Hawaii than Alabama, they weren't more difficult, and he has come away with a different "world view."

"It was a good thing, having a completely different viewpoint from a different culture," he said.

He is back in Tuscaloosa now, and he said he would go back to Hawaii if given the opportunity.

"Island life was great," he said. "I surfed three or four times a week. It's a different atmosphere, it's a different culture."

"I loved it," he said. "It was perfect."

- The National Student Exchange lets students to spend up to one calendar year at a participating school

- Students take the same classes they would take at their home institutions.

- Students who want to apply should visit Room 230 in the Ferguson Center or go to www.nse.org.