What is NSE & Why Should I Do It?

NSE students posing with Arctic Circle sign

Adventure Awaits


National Student Exchange is a consortium of fully accredited colleges & universities that offer an amazing student exchange experiences, no matter why you choose to go! It's like having over 170 branch campuses, all over North America. And, there's a dedicated UNH NSE Coordinator ready to help you make it happen.

Find the exchange campus that is right for you!  

  • Apply online; it's easy!  List up to 5 campuses on one simple application.
  • NSE is affordable; you can work part-time in the US if you need to
  • Take courses not available at UNH
  • Be closer to someone you love
  • Travel options for every budget: fly, drive, take a train or bus
  • Explore an area for graduate school or life after UNH
  • Try something new, with a safety net of a community of dedicated NSE Coordinators, ready to help you get the most out of your exchange

Our Learning Outcomes

Students who participate in the National Student Exchange will…

  • be open to learning from others who have different viewpoints
  • develop relationships with people from different backgrounds
  • gain confidence in their ability to adjust to a new environment
  • gain confidence in their ability to solve problems on their own
  • be able to achieve the goals they set for their NSE experience

NSE Member Campuses

There are about 180 colleges and universities in the US, US territories, and Canada that are members of the National Student Exchange. When a campus joins the NSE family, they are saying to all the other campuses, “Your students are welcome here!” Not every campus can accept all students who apply, but your NSE Coordinator will help you choose up to five campuses to list on your exchange application. Research your options by reviewing the NSE: Find a Campus site. Search by region, campus size, population, designation, or major. Remember, all students must meet the UNH Study Away Eligibility requirements.

NSE Member Campuses

NSE has something for everyone.

Since 1988, the University of New Hampshire has been a proud member of the National Student Exchange, a consortium of over 180 colleges and universities in the United States, US territories, and Canada. Through this academic program, UNH students can spend a semester or full year studying away at another member campus, and continue to make progress toward their UNH degree.  After a semester or year on exchange, students return to UNH to complete their remaining degree requirements and graduate on time.

National Student Exchange inspires academic enrichment, personal exploration, and student development by facilitating accessible collegiate study away among member colleges and universities throughout the United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, and U.S Virgin Islands.

National Student Exchange strives to be the leading resource and premier provider for intercollegiate study away exchange.

We value diversity, open-mindedness, and cross cultural engagement fostering learning, understanding, respect, and a sense of community among all people. We believe that adding a collegiate study away experience enhances education and enriches student growth.

NSE students on top of a mountain

Contact Us


National Student Exchange at the University of New Hampshire

Paula M. DiNardo Ph.D., Coordinator
UNH Global Education | 310 Conant Hall
10 Library Way, Durham, NH   03824
Office: (603) 862-3485 
national.student.exchange@unh.edu

National Student Exchange HQ

Debra Sanborn Ph.D., President
2613 Northridge Pkwy, #106
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 450-5529 (CST)
info@nse.org

NSE is a 501(c)(3) education non-profit whose members sponsor collegiate study away exchanges among the consortium to enhance academic offerings and cultural perspectives.