Exchanging perspectives

UNM was not one exchange student's first choice of universities.

Rami Mallis, an exchange student from England, said he knew nothing about UNM - it was fifth on his list. Before he came, he knew little about the Southwest.

After he was accepted to UNM, he researched the area. He discovered Albuquerque had a Hispanic community, a liberal attitude and good weather, he said.

Although discouraged for the first couple of days - Downtown was dead, it was late and nobody was on campus - he said he is now having the time of his life.

Last year the Office of International Programs and Studies accepted about 100 students from 11 different countries.

The program offers exchanges to Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Wales, Mexico, Sweden, Spain, Scotland, France, England, Canada and Denmark.

"When I chose my degree in England, I decided to attend a school with a good exchange program because I always knew that I wanted come out to the States and experience it firsthand," Mallis said.

He said the most shocking thing he's seen was a guy getting his head beat in Downtown.

"You just don't see that in England," he said.

But the hardest thing for him has been adjusting to the dry campus.

In England, the entire social life revolves around the drinking atmosphere, he said.

The UNM Exchange Program encourages exchange students to stay in the dorms where students can purchase meal plans.

"Green chile is pretty nice, but I hate La Posada," Mallis said.

The program provides students from UNM and other countries with the opportunity to learn about the people, culture and ideals of different societies.

"International exchange is a wonderful way to educate yourself and explore," said John Smeltzer, a former UNM exchange student. "After all, there is only so much you can learn from a textbook."

The exchange office offers semester, year-long and summer exchange programs to UNM undergraduate and graduate students.

For every student who goes abroad, a foreign student comes to UNM.

Generally, UNM students and professors are welcoming, Mallis said.

Senior Monika Bug is on exchange from Germany. When she arrived at UNM, she said her instructors allowed her to yellow card into five classes.

The Office of International Programs and Studies was established at UNM in 1965 and has hosted 700 international students from 77 different countries including 200 international scholars and researchers.

Bug said the exchange program will help her get a job in the future because it demonstrates flexibility and interest in different cultures.

In the past, more graduate students have taken advantage of the exchange program than undergraduate students, according to the office.

"I'm loving it," Mallis said. "I encourage students to try it."

The exchange office is located on the second floor of Mesa Vista Hall. The deadline for participation in spring exchange is Oct. 1.