Travel Programs in College

National Student Exchange 

College offered me ample opportunity to travel while I also still worked toward my B.A. and M.A. degrees. It was a cool experience that allowed me to receive my education, explore opportunities outside of school that allowed me to learn and grow while also traveling and experiencing different cultures at the same time.  

During undergrad, I was blessed enough to participate in the National Student Exchange Program. This program allows you to attend a college of your choice in America or Canada and in American territories like the U.S. Virgin Islands, taking courses that count toward your undergraduate degree. I chose to go to New York City and take courses at a college in Queens. 

While I was in New York, I took the last few classes that I needed to graduate, I was able to get an internship at The Center for Fiction, had several jobs that were fun, challenging, and exciting while also getting to explore New York City’s landscape and what all it had to offer. I received the same amount of financial aid I would have received in California. On top of that, I made sure to find a job before I moved to New York.  

The great things about the program is that it is almost like you’re still in your home school. When I went, there were two options. The options were to enroll in a university of my choice but then to pay tuition to that institution OR it was the opposite way around. I could enroll in the university of my choice but then pay tuition to my home institution. When applying you choose several schools as preferences. Sometimes that school of choice didn’t offer both options, they only offered options A or B.  

The downside of the National Student Exchange Program is that it’s pretty hands off after you’re accepted. You find housing on your own unless you take campus housing, when you arrive, there isn’t a spot you stay in for some time to help you get settled, you immediately have to hit the ground running and find your own place. This program can be suitable for those that have adequate support systems, but if you don’t, it’ll be a bit difficult to participate.  

One of the great things is that the coordinator for my program had events set in place already that we were able to attend once we arrived in New York. I was able to see the Rockettes, take a boat tour around Manhattan, visit the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, and see Misty Copeland perform at the Lincoln center as well.  

It was a great experience overall, but it is something that is difficult to participate in and can cause a good amount of stress if you don’t have the proper support system. However, the options and places that this program gives can bring great experience. Once I arrived home from New York, I was given great job opportunities and my resume definitely stood out from the bunch.  

Studying Abroad 

I chose to study abroad while receiving my master’s degree. It was a bit scary because the study abroad programs were geared towards undergraduate students in many ways and the courses offered were undergraduate courses. Luckily for me, when you were a graduate student at my school, you could take two undergraduate school courses that would count toward your graduate degree. I participated in my colleges program and went abroad to study in Aix-en-Provence, France.  

Studying abroad was very rewarding and there was a greater support system. When I went abroad, we had a hotel room that we were able to stay in for two weeks while we looked for housing that were equipped with a full fridge and a stove. While we looked for housing, they already had several apartments, houses, and room shares that people could pick from.  

We were taken on trips that were pre-paid and shown different ways to explore the region. The great thing about Aix-en-Provence is that everything in centre-ville (downtown), which is where we lived, is close quarters so everything we needed was pretty much right there, stores, pharmacies, etc.  

Classes weren’t something that were optional. We were only allowed to miss two classes a semester with unexcused absences or else we would be withdrawn from the program. During our winter and spring breaks we had the opportunity to travel abroad to nearby countries.  

Studying abroad was the first time that I was awarded an Equity Fellowship as a graduate student. That fellowship allowed me to travel abroad comfortably and pay for everything that I needed while I was abroad in addition to the financial aid that I received.  

I honestly can’t name any downsides to studying abroad. It’s such an enriching experience and very much worth it.