Taft Hall's student exchange program allows URI students to study across the country while paying in-state tuition

2/10/10 - The University of Rhode Island's National Student Exchange Program office in Taft Hall is accepting applications for students to study at colleges in the United States, Canada and the U.S. territories. Through the program, students can choose to study at another university for a semester or a full year. They can also choose to study at one school the first semester and another school the second semester.

"[It's] an opportunity for URI students to travel and study at the same time," the program's student assistant coordinator Andrea Russell said.

Russell said all students in the program pay URI in-state tuition during their time away.

"You can actually save money," she said.

Although students still pay in-state tuition, they pay the host school's room and board fees, as well as travel costs. Financial aid and scholarships from URI can still be used.

"It's really affordable for URI students," Russell said. "Some students use it as an alternative to study abroad."

She said the most popular destinations seem to be Florida, California and Hawaii. Russell, currently a junior at URI, studied at California State University, San Bernardino her sophomore year.

"It's a great experience. Students should definitely take advantage of it," she said. "It's just like going to college for the first time, being a freshman."

Russell said there are approximately 40 URI students who take part in the program each year.

In addition, there are about 20 students who come to URI from other schools such as the University of Idaho, the University of Utah and the University of Mexico.

Andrew Wilson, from the University of Utah, is currently a junior studying at URI as part of the Student Exchange Program.

"My parents are from New England," he said. "I thought it'd be cool to live out here and see what it's like where my parents grew up."

Russell said student applicants are encouraged to apply to the Student Exchange Program, and that applications are available in the international office in Taft Hall.

To apply, students must have at least a 2.5 g.p.a. Russell said students should also visit the student exchange Web site to fill out a brief information form.

The application deadline is Feb. 25 and should be submitted with a short essay.

Russell said the essay should include why the student wants to participate in the program and what his or her goals for the program are. She said the essay should be a few paragraphs long. Russell said the majority of applicants get approved.

"The placement rate is about 98 percent," she said.

Russell said students also have to keep in mind what courses they will be taking at these schools and if the credits are equivalent to URI credits. Advisers and department chairs must approve the courses.