Shae spent a Spring away at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa through National Student Exchange. She was so excited to share about her experience through the program.
Why did you choose to participate in NSE?
"I chose to participate in NSE because I knew I wanted to spend a semester elsewhere, but not out of the country. Hawaii has always been a dream destination for me, so this was the perfect opportunity! Not to mention, it's much easier for class credits to transfer back to Iowa State."
When did you start considering participating in NSE? What were your next steps?
"I started thinking about NSE during my first semester of freshmen year - which is pretty early compared to most others. However, this is something I knew I always wanted to do! My next steps were attending information sessions, meeting with NSE advisors, and following Iowa State NSE on Instagram."
How did you plan for your exchange?
"Lots and lots of research (online, social media, previous students)."
How did you navigate new responsibilities while planning for your exchange? During your exchange?
"I kept a separate "to-do" list/tracker for all things exchange-related. This included online items I needed to complete, meetings to attend, packing essentials and bucket list items! Being as organized and as prepared as you possibly can will lead to a successful exchange."
What advice do you have for future students?
"This is the perfect time to step out of your comfort zone, grow as a person, and experience new things! Take the leap - you'll create life-long memories and stories to share for years to come."