Prairie View A&M University welcomed five students from universities across the nation who are participating in the National Student Exchange program this fall.
It is the first time that the university has hosted students under the program.
Mikayla Mitchell (Lakeland, Fla); Tiara Fulton (Bourbonnais, Ill.); Wilmarie Santana (Vega Alta, Puerto Rico), and Faven Tecle and Marta Kidane (Seattle, Wash.) are a part of the 39-year-old NSE program, which gives students the opportunity to transfer to over 300 colleges and universities within the U.S., U.S. territories and Canada.
For up to one year, students can study at another location of their choice without disrupting the academic progress made at their current institution.
“I am so excited to be a part of this program,” said program coordinator Dr. Lauretta Byars, “Because it means that our students can go to any university that’s a part of the program.”
“The advantage to PV students is that all students can go to universities and not have to pay out-of-state tuition,” said Byars, who is also vice president for institutional relations and public service. “They can pay their host school and not PV tuition.”
When asked why they chose Praire View, the students stated that they always wanted to attend an HBCU.
Mitchell, a senior psychology major, said “I came from a [predominantly] white school, so I wanted a change.”
Santana, a chemistry senior and second time exchange student agreed, adding, “I went to Jackson State University first, and now Prairie View. I just feel more comfortable around black people.”
With such a transition comes a distinct change of culture.
In comparing Prairie View to her previous school, Eastern Illinois University, Fulton, a junior corporate communications major, pointed out the quick tempo of music in Illinois, as opposed to the slow paced music of the South.
“We love meeting the locals,” said Tecle, a junior marketing major. “They’re nicer, and they seem like they want to help you.”
“It’s like the professors actually care about you,” Fulton explained. “They don’t just know your name here.”
As for the program, the students stated that they were happy to be participants.
“I’m blessed because I got to do this program. So many people wish they could do this,” said Mitchell.
Kidane, a junior marketing major, encouraged students to join the program.
“Do this program,” said Kidane. “NSE is here for you.”