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BEVERLY, Mass. – Endicott women's lacrosse student-athletes Olivia Larson (Cheshire, Conn.) and Erin McCarthy (Old Lyme, Conn.) have been able to study abroad over the last few months in Greece and Australia, respectively. Both student-athletes recently took the time to describe their experiences abroad. Here's what they had to say.

Olivia Larson on Studying Abroad

1) Where did you go on your study abroad trip?

"I studied abroad in Greece this past May into June, it was only a two-week program but it sure taught me a totally different cultural experience in that time. We traveled somewhere different everyday we were there. We started with an urban walk through downtown Athens. We visited a winery and had dinner at a 5-star hotel. We of course saw the Acropolis and the amazing views it had to offer. We had various faculty presentations from the American College of Greece professors which was very interesting. We visited Delphi, and went on a three island cruise to Hydra, Poros, Aegina. We also had a speaker from the U.S. Embassy come speak to us, which taught me so much not only about Greece but about the U.S. and other countries as well. We had family dinners a lot throughout the weeks, and so much more!" 

2) Describe your most memorable experience.

"One of my most memorable experiences would be the dinners we had as a group. When we started this trip we did not know each other all that well and these dinners really helped us get to know each other and the culture of Greece. Not only did we eat all different types of food, but also learned how they go about a family meal, especially the portions! Another one of my most memorable experiences was an assignment we had to do. We were asked to interview a Non-American. I thought it was just going to be another assignment, but the people that we talked to were very informative and I have remembered word-for-word what was said to me since that day. One man we interviewed was a resident director at the college. We asked him all sorts of questions and he told us about their pay in Greece and how the economy has affected his family as a whole. However, the most important part of that interview was when he told us that no matter how poor him and his family are in Greece he wouldn't move anywhere else for better pay because it's not worth leaving his culture or family. The love that Greece has for its culture and each other is something that really stuck out for me while visiting."

3) Why is it valuable to be able to play a sport and also go study abroad during your time at Endicott?

"It is valuable to be a part of a team to learn how to work with a group, as it has helped me to open up to different types of people and personalities. Studying abroad is also valuable to your life since you get to experience a taste of different cultures and how to fit in with their lifestyles. Taking what I have learned from being a part of a team was useful as I harnessed those skills to interact with people in other countries."

4) Would you suggest studying abroad to other student-athletes? If so, why?

"I would definitely recommend studying abroad to all athletes. Missing that offseason will be worth the experience of a lifetime. If you have the opportunity in front of you take it while you can. You will meet so many different people and learn a whole new lifestyle. This was my first time leaving the county and of course I was nervous but it was an amazing experience I will remember forever."

2) Describe your most memorable experience.

"I have been in Australia for about two months and I have done some fantastic things. I have gone sky diving and scuba diving in Cairns, been on a two-day, two-night catamaran trip around Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays, one of the world's best beaches, and have spent the weekend camping on Great Keppel Island. The sights have been spectacular! I have seen humpback whales, turtles and dolphins. The reef is unlike anything that I have ever seen. I think that one of my favorite parts about going to all of these places is that I am able to travel with so many other international students as well. I have met people from Finland, Zimbabwe, and Alaska and we have all been able to discover these parts of Australia together." 

3) Why is it valuable to be able to play a sport and also go study abroad during your time at Endicott?

"One of the best parts about being an Endicott Gull is the opportunities that it provides you. I am a proud member of the women's lacrosse team and my coaches and teammates have been huge supporters of my travel abroad. Without their encouragement, I am not sure if I would have been as comfortable taking this trip. Not only do I love being on the team, spending time with my teammates and playing my favorite sport, but I also love all the skills that I gain from being on ECWLAX. In games and practices, the team is able to gain things like responsibility, problem solving, understanding, teamwork, and confidence. With all these skills, it really sets up any athlete to have a lot of success in their education, work and life. These skills are also so important to have when you study abroad! Going to a foreign country you have to be responsible and independent because you are in another country thousands of miles from home. You are reliant on your teamwork skills because you are suddenly immersed in a new culture and need the help of others to be able to navigate through it. Fortunately, being an athlete teaches you good time management so you are able to fit it all in, especially the schoolwork and travel part. Most importantly, being an athlete provides you with a level of fearlessness and you bring that in your experiences and try anything and everything you can."

4) Would you suggest studying abroad to other student-athletes? If so, why?

"I would most definitely encourage all student-athletes to study abroad! It is an experience that you will remember for the rest of your life. In the short time that I have been in Australia, I have been able to see such beautiful places, meet a diverse group of people and have been able to immerse myself in a new country and their culture. I think that along the way, I have become a lot more confident and independent. I am positive that this experience will help me on the field and in my education as a nurse. I already know after this short period that I am interested in pursuing a traveling nursing career in the future! I think that all of the members of ECWLAX who have also studied abroad would agree with me saying, go see the world! I guarantee you won't be disappointed!"

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 

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