Southern exchange programs promote student diversity

Southern University offers several opportunities to ensure that students are receiving a well-rounded education. Unfortunately, not many people know about these opportunities.
When most people think of Historically Black Colleges or Universities, the word diversity does not come to mind. Southern has incorporated various programs in order to ensure that students are learning in a diverse environment. This diversity varies among both students and teachers.
Southern participates in two very beneficial programs, the National Student Exchange program and the Foreign Language Teaching Assistant program. Both provide Southern students with a uniquely diverse experience.
According to Dr. Carmen del Rio, Southern’s NSE Coordinator, the National Student Exchange program has been in place at the university since 1991.
“This program is so good that it’s unreal,” said del Rio.
Southern is among five schools participating in the state of Louisiana and among the 180 schools participating across the nation. NSE gives students the opportunity to explore various universities. This year, Southern is hosting four exchange students through NSE.
According to the NSE Directory of Exchange Opportunities, students may participate in the exchange for a cumulative total of time up to one calendar year. This includes two semesters and a summer session.
Students join NSE for various reasons. Some join simply because it gives them the opportunity to travel and study in a different state. Others join because they are curious about life at other universities.
Angel Wiggins, a junior sports management major from North Carolina State University, said, “I didn’t want to go to an HBCU, but I wanted an HBCU experience.” Wiggins went on to mention that she is glad she has had the experience but “there is no place like home.”
Regardless of the reason, each student leaves the NSE program with a feeling of enrichment. The program has a greater purpose than simply allowing students to take classes at other schools. Because NSE member schools differ in regional location, diversity and size, this program gives students a chance to learn about different cultures within this nation and its territories.
Many times students choose to go to a school that is completely different from their universities so they can see what it is like.
Saturn Douglas, a senior communications major from California State University, Northridge, mentioned that she felt as if she was missing something and she wanted a different experience.
According to del Rio, two Southern students have studied in Puerto Rico and there are currently two students attending Florida International University.
Wiggins said that it is a good opportunity and students should definitely take advantage.
Although the NSE program gears towards students who are curious and willing to travel, Southern’s participation in the FLTA program focuses on bringing diversity to the university by giving aspiring international English teachers the opportunity to teach their native languages in America. This gives the participating teachers a unique experience and also creates a diverse learning environment for Southern students.
According to Dr. Linda Lassiter, Chair of the Foreign Language Department and FLTA Supervisor, Southern began participating in FLTA in 2006.
These students come from around the world not only to teach their language but also to serve as cultural ambassadors. As cultural ambassadors, the participants give presentations about their culture and also host other co-curricular activities.
There are currently three FLTA participants teaching at Southern. Abdoulaye Seck is from Senegal and he’s teaching Wolof. Yun Zu who’s from China is teaching Chinese, and Zainab Salem from Jordan is teaching Arabic.
These students are also taking two classes per semester, so they are getting the experience needed for their careers and also learning what it’s like to be a Southern student.
“The purpose of the program is culture exchange,” said Zu.
The participants are from varying countries that all have different cultures. They are forced to adapt to life in America.
Salem and Zu agreed that it was a little inconvenient and kind of boring because they don’t have cars.
Even with the slight inconvenience Salem and Zu are enjoying their experience here at Southern.
“I like teaching,” said Salem.
The FLTA program is a great asset to the university. It allows Southern students to interact with others from across the globe and see what it’s like to be a college student in their respective countries.
This program can be especially beneficial to Southern students who are majoring in English that may be interested in teaching English as a foreign language in other countries.
For more details about these programs students may contact the Foreign Language Department at 225-771-3030. The contact person for NSE is Dr. del Rio, and the contact person for FLTA is Dr. Lassiter.