Swaddell recognizes the important role the NSE has as a part of the University of Guam as a tool to better students’ academics and ultimately their overall experience in college. “The NSE Program offers a wider range of choices in courses that a student needs for a particular ?elled that we are limited in offering. The bene?t to the institution is now we can offer not just the few hundreds of courses at the University of Guam, but thousands of courses to our students by giving them access to the exchange program,” said shared Swaddell. Another UOG Triton that used the program to develop her skills is Kristine Tuazon, an ESL Major and Japanese Studies student that ventured off internationally to Japan for a semester. There she was able to apply and add to what she hads learned in her concentration. Tuazon stated, “Being immersed in the [Japanese] culture was a really good opportunity to use what I learned,.” said Tuazon. In addition to exploring the Japanese culture, Tuazon found herself dabbling in the struggles that come with independence. “Not being with my parents, I had to make decisions on my own. I also learned that vegetables are really expensive back there. That taught me how to budget.”
Kristine Tuazon, pictured left
Not only has the NSE program given UOG students the opportunity to experience new cultures, but it has also given students from off-islandother countries the opportunity to experience our island’s unique culture. Pascale Martin, a student from the Universite du Quebec a Montreal, is currently attending UOG through the NSE program. Martin took an interest in the island lifestyle Guam has to offer. “The reason I really wanted to do the exchange program is mostly because at home, they promote it so much. They tell you how important it is to change your way of thinking, to really experience not just another culture, but also another academic point of view. You don’t just stick to what you learn at home with your culture. They really want you to be somewhere completely different and apply everything you’ve learned at home and to just transform it completely, to learn how another culture deals with the same concepts and realities,” shares Martin. . The NSE program can also be an eyeopener in ways other than cultural perspective, as made known by Craig Kallian, a Business Major from the Univer-
Craig Kallian
sity of Wisconsin-Stout. Kallian, also currently attending UOG along with Martin through the NSE Program, was placed out of his comfort zone. Kallian re?ected on how the small conveniences of his familiar lifestyle were not fully appreciated until he came here. “Things like transportation and not having a cell phone within the ?rst week were big issues,” said Kallian. However, Kallian and Martin decided to make the best of their situation and rent a car to get more acquainted with the island. Whether it be the desire for a change of scenery, the need to get a dose of travel, or the motive to seek academic ful?llment, the experiences that await the interested National Student Exchange candidate will undoubtedly enrich their college experience and help them grow. Everyone knows there is no place like home, but allow Einstein to chime in and give you something to ponder: “A ship is always safe at the shore - but that is NOT what it is built for.” Venture out and broaden your horizons. Exploring, experimenting with, and experiencing [?\??[?[?HY??\?[? ?] [??\? ?]??Y?H\?[X??] ?Z?H [?\?Y?\?Y X?][? ? H?^ ]?[ ???\??[HX\?[???