National Student Exchange (NSE) Frequently Asked Questions

You will have access to your University of Minnesota Rochester email account while you are on exchange. Continue to check your email account while you are on exchange as all official communication from UMR will continue to be sent to that email. You will also need to update your current address through OneStop while you are on exchange.

Expenses include, but are not limited to

• Housing
• Meal costs
• Travel
• Social events, sporting events and entertainment
• Activities/lab fees at your host campus.

Submitting your application before the official application deadline is strongly recommended and will greatly increase your chances of being placed at the school of your choice. However, there are many schools that will still consider your application even if the deadline has passed. Contact the NSE Coordinator for assistance.

Yes. Spanish is the language of instruction at all NSE schools in Puerto Rico. To be placed at a school in Puerto Rico, you must be able to read textbooks, understand lectures, take part in classroom discussions, do written work and take examinations in Spanish and demonstrate Spanish proficiency at the time of application.

The language of instruction at the Universite de Sherbrooke (Quebec, Canada) is French, you must demonstrate French language proficiency when you apply.

Yes, but your application fee will not be returned. To officially cancel your exchange, you must notify the University of Minnesota Rochester NSE coordinator. 

Gerrit VanSteenbergen
Career and Enrichment Coordinator, NSE Coordinator
Phone: 507-258-8673
[email protected]

One full academic year or a shorter term. For schools on the semester system (as opposed to quarters), this includes fall, spring and summer terms. For schools that have quarters, this includes fall, winter, spring and summer quarters.

You can go on exchange to two different institutions during one or more academic years with the permission of both home and host coordinators as long as the cumulative total period for the exchanges does not exceed one calendar year. Two National Student Exchange applications must be submitted (one for each school) and two application fees may be required.

Most schools have on-campus housing available for incoming students. Some schools have highly competitive or limited housing availability, which may mean you'll need to live off-campus. On-campus housing is not mandatory but it is recommended. Contact the NSE Coordinator for the NSE Directory that has housing information about specific schools.

NSE is a consortium of specific institutions. Students cannot go on exchange (through NSE) to non-participating schools.

Yes. You and a friend can apply to go to the same school. Keep in mind that doing so reduces your chances of being placed at certain institutions.

The NSE Coordinator will register you for an off-campus study course. This will maintain your UMR status and help you collect financial aid more readily.