BOBBY PEREZ STUDY ABROAD VIDEO | MEN’S SOCCER STUDY ABROAD VIDEO | BOBBY PEREZ STUDY ABROAD VIDEO EXTENDED VERSION
BEVERLY, Mass. – Study abroad & international internships prepare students at Endicott for success by offering alternative academic understanding, social & cultural literacy and life-changing experiences. Through semester-long academic study, faculty-led trips, and/or 3-to-15 week internships abroad, students gain new confidence and self-awareness, and obtain the skills necessary for success in today's economy.
Much like the general student population, Endicott’s student-athletes are also given the chance to take advantage of the study abroad program while competing at the NCAA Division III level. During the 2015-16 academic year, 40 student-athletes among a variety of sports have completed a study abroad trip or tour to date.
Adam Legg (York, Maine), who is member of the men’s soccer team, recently completed a study abroad trip in Gold Coast, Australia at Bond University. Here’s what Legg had to say of his experiences.
“I would suggest study abroad to other student-athletes and other students,” said Legg. “It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity and if it can work around the athletic schedule then any student-athlete should 100% take advantage of it.”
Legg was also quick to speak about what his most memorable experience(s) were in Australia.
“So far, my most memorable experiences have been exploring the country. We started off in Byron Bay for a three-day orientation and everything about it was awesome from the beaches to the wildlife we could see,” said Legg. “The excursions we went on after that were also really cool. We went on a couple hikes through the rainforest and were able to jump into some natural pools that are created from waterfalls. Exploring nearby cities and seeing both the differences and similarities of culture has also been fun.”
Along with talking about the experiences of studying abroad, Legg also spoke to the importance of self-discovery while being away from home.
“I think it is valuable to be able to play a sport and study abroad because we are so dedicated to our given sport and school both in and out of season that we often miss out on some opportunities other students usually have. I can confidently say most athletes, myself included, would choose the college athlete life over a ‘normal college’ student life, but studying abroad allows us to really get out of our own bubble,” said Legg. “The culture diffusion that takes place over the course of the study abroad time is invaluable. Many students do not have this opportunity and to be able to play a sport and also go abroad is great. Obviously, looking at it from the athletic perspective or the coaches’ side of things, there is a lot of trust placed in us that we are going to stay in shape and come back ready to continue training and be game ready.”
In looking at data from the 2014 student-athlete graduating class, 17-percent of student-athletes (30 total out of 179) participated in some form of a study abroad trip or tour while at Endicott, which ranks seven-percent above the national average for all 2013-2014 U.S. graduates (according to NAFSA). For more information on study abroad programs at Endicott click here: Endicott Study Abroad FAQs.
WHY STUDY ABROAD? – (ENDICOTT STUDY ABROAD WEBSITE)
"Globalization is here to stay, and students who want to work in our interconnected global world should study or intern abroad.
Despite the inevitable increasing global competition for jobs, American graduates lack the international experience, language capabilities and cross-cultural communication skills necessary to succeed in the global economy.
Making education abroad a part of their college education is the most effective and accessible means for students to develop needed skills because it pushes a student to get out of her comfort zone to experience another culture, language, environment and education system. It teaches students to appreciate difference and diversity firsthand, and enables them to recognize — and then dismiss — stereotypes they may have held about people they had never met.
Learning how to interact with people from other countries and cultures equips future leaders in all sectors to address urgent issues — from curing diseases and finding energy solutions, to fighting terrorism and hunger — shared across borders."
– Alan Goodman, President Institute of International Education For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.