Student Athletes

Timing of your time abroad/away deserves special consideration as a Student Athlete.  Will your athletic involvement allow a full semester, interim, summer, and/or year abroad/away?  Which option makes the most sense given your athletic season and training needs?  St. Olaf has two approved summer programs: the International Summer School in Oslo and the Budapest Semester in Mathematics.

What type of program best fits your needs as a student and an athlete?  Do you want to be in a program with other American university students or do you want to be an international student directly enrolled in a university abroad?

Will you need certain amenities to maintain your training?  Do you need access to a gym and/or a pool?  Do you need to be able to run outside?  Do you need time in your daily schedule for specific training?  If so, which programs fit what you need?

Do you want to participate in an internship abroad/away related to athletic training, exercise science, or another field?  If so, there are a number of abroad/away study programs that have built-in or optional internships.

Do you want to participate in athletic teams abroad?  Research programs that allow club sport participation.  Be sure to talk to your Coach about participating in organized athletic teams abroad/away.

If you are rehabilitating an injury, will you need accommodations or other types of support while abroad/away?  We encourage athletes who need this type of support abroad/away to work with Disability and Access.  You should also work with the Director of the Smith Center, Jodi Malmgren, malmgren@stolaf.edu, if you will require accommodation support abroad/away.

It is important to note that in many locations herbal remedies are still relied on for pain relief, altitude sickness, etc.  Some of these remedies (coca tea for altitude sickness in Peru, for example) may result in negative drug test results, which could impact NCAA standing.  Be sure to double check how herbal remedies, teas, or other foods/drinks may impact your body/drug test results before consuming.

Do your research on programs that will support the unique needs and challenges of student athletes.  If possible, during your exploration phase, reach out to the on-site staff of programs you are interested in attending and talk with them about what your needs are and what they can offer.  Be sure to ask if there are extra costs associated with gym memberships, access to a pool, and/or the facilities you need.