NIU’s communication department has grabbed three students from Pamplona, Spain, and plopped them down in DuSable Hall.

For the first time, the department is running a foreign exchange program with Universidad de Navarra of Pamplona, the city famous for the running of the bulls.

Even though exchanging would constitute students from Northern venturing out to Spain while students from Spain came here, that wasn’t what happened.

“It is more likely for Spanish children to be taught English than vice versa,” said Angela Powers, the communication professor in charge of the exchange. “We are actively keeping our eyes and ears open for students interested and that can speak fluent Spanish.”

The program was born a couple of summers ago when Powers went to a conference at Universidad de Navarra and met administrator Francisco J. Perez-Latre. The program ran only for one semester, which already is coming to an end.

“The students don’t want to leave now,” Powers said. “They are all wishing it was a year-long program now.”

Students Jose Luis Diez, Isadora Garcia-Avis and Marta Alzugaray came to NIU a week before classes began to register for their classes. All three students are either juniors or seniors and all are communication majors.

“They all speak very good English and seem to be getting better,” Powers said. “They are all doing great in their classes and the other students have really enjoyed them in class.”

Diez decided to do the exchange to improve his English and to understand the American culture.

“My school offered two colleges here, the University of Missouri [a one-year exchange] and Northern [for one semester],” Diez said. “I talked with my adviser in Spain and he recommended to take the NIU exchange. He preferred I stay only one semester here.”

There is more to the college experience than just learning and attending classes, and Diez is no exception.

“Last weekend, I went with two friends to spend the weekend in Chicago,” Diez said. “We went to see the Chicago Bulls, went to the Hancock Observatory and walked through Michigan Avenue.”

No students from either school are scheduled for the exchange for next semester, and Powers isn’t sure about next fall either.

“The incentives for Northern students involved in the exchange are life-changing,” Powers said. “They would receive course credit, free time and the ability to experience how surprisingly nice other countries are. They would also have to be self-starters and willing to have fun.”

Diez hopes that next year students from NIU go abroad to Spain because it only happens once in your life.

“I can suggest everyone to go on an exchange program,” Diez said. “You learn so many things in all aspects.”