National Student Exchange Looking for Interested Students

Why would anyone swap the tropical island beauty of Hawaii for the colder climes of Vermont?

For Eddie Schnedler, the answer is simple: the chance to participate in the unique Wellness and Alternative Medicine program offered at Johnson State College and available to him through the National Student Exchange (NSE), which involves 200 colleges in the United States and Canada.

Schnedler said it was a good decision, and that Johnson State College is a perfect fit for him. "I came to Johnson State to research the WAM program," says Schnedler. "I like the beautiful trees and the charm of a quiet New England town."


Similarly, Pareesa Maria was drawn from Louisiana by the college's fine arts program after being introduced to JSC by a professor at her previous university. "I'm an art major concentrating on painting, and [I] like the small class sizes and campus settings at Johnson State," says Maria. "The Vermont Studio Center in town caught my attention as well."


This academic year, 16 JSC students are attending a number of courses at the University of Alaska, Bowling Green University, Florida International University, California State University (Chico, Monterey Bay, and Pomona), North Carolina State, Humboldt State University, University of Utah, and Winthrop University.


Internationally, students are also at colleges in Australia, Scotland, and Canada (Nova Scotia).

Participating NSE students include: Jacob Dedam, Charles Gargaly III, Justin Hover, Jahida Jorganes, Patrick Kantlehner, Meredith Kenton, Corynne Kovacs, Jeffrey Labrack, Timothy O'Malley, Mitchell Potter, Haley Pryce, Joseph Radano, Danielle Rochford, Lindsay Siner, Heidi Tchida, and Shayna Whitaker.

Sara Kinerson, Coordinator of the National Student Exchange (NSE) program at JSC, notes that the NSE gives students a new way to look at educating themselves through different locales and institutions while still being enrolled at JSC. "Students who have grown up in Vermont their whole life get the chance to see different environments that are affordable and safe," she says. "They already have the college experience to guide them through. Students bring their experiences back when they return. It benefits other students and encourages them to participate as well."


In most cases students pay only room and board at the college they are visiting, paying tuition just to Johnson.

The NSE requires students to have a minimum G.P.A. of 2.5 and demonstrate solid social skills. Students also need to be in good standing financially.

Students visiting other campuses for a semester are not required to go through the transfer process.

Kinerson encourages students to visit her in her office in the JSC Career Center on campus to discuss the program.

For more information about NSE programs, contact Sara Kinerson at 802-635-1257 or sara.kinerson@jsc.edu