{"id":1070,"date":"2022-08-15T00:32:49","date_gmt":"2022-08-15T05:32:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/?page_id=1070"},"modified":"2025-12-08T10:39:43","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T16:39:43","slug":"student-athletes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/identity-resources\/student-athletes\/","title":{"rendered":"Student Athletes"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Traveling as a Student Athlete can pose unique opportunities and challenges.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0This page aims to assist students involved in Varsity Athletics prepare for their time abroad\/away \u2013 academically and personally.<\/p>\n

If you are thinking about or planning to study abroad\/away, please be sure to have a candid conversation with your Coach and Trainer.\u00a0<\/strong> This conversation should include which semester you are considering, developing a plan for training abroad\/away, and if you will need any rehabilitation support while you are abroad\/away.\u00a0 We also highly recommend that you also meet with a Smith Center<\/a> advisor to discuss the program(s) you are interested an applying for and\/or your needs while abroad\/away.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t\n<\/figure>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Timing<\/strong>\u00a0of your time abroad\/away deserves special consideration as a Student Athlete.\u00a0\u00a0Will your athletic involvement allow a full semester, interim, summer, and\/or year abroad\/away?<\/strong>\u00a0 Which option makes the most sense given your athletic season and training needs?\u00a0 St. Olaf has two approved summer programs: the\u00a0International Summer School in Oslo<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0Budapest Semester in Mathematics<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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What\u00a0type of program<\/strong>\u00a0best fits your needs as a student and an athlete?\u00a0 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?<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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Will you need certain\u00a0amenities to maintain your training<\/strong>?\u00a0 Do you need access to a gym and\/or a pool?\u00a0 Do you need to be able to run outside?\u00a0 Do you need time in your daily schedule for specific training?\u00a0 If so, which programs fit what you need?<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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Do you want to participate in an internship abroad\/away related to athletic training, exercise science, or another field?<\/strong>\u00a0 If so, there are a number of abroad\/away study programs that have built-in or optional internships.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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Do you want to participate in athletic teams abroad?<\/strong>\u00a0 Research programs that allow club sport participation.\u00a0 Be sure to talk to your Coach about participating in organized athletic teams abroad\/away.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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If you are rehabilitating an injury,\u00a0will you need accommodations or other types of support while abroad\/away?<\/strong>\u00a0 Check in with your team’s designated athletic trainer<\/a> to determine what support you may need or rehab you must manage yourself while abroad\/away. We encourage athletes who need this type of support abroad\/away to work with Disability and Access<\/a>.\u00a0 You should also work with the Director of the Smith Center, Theresa Heath, heath1@stolaf.edu<\/a>, if you will require accommodation support abroad\/away.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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It is important to note that in many locations herbal remedies are still relied on for pain relief, altitude sickness, etc.\u00a0 Some of these remedies (coca tea for altitude sickness in Peru<\/a>, for example) may result in negative drug test results, which could impact NCAA standing.\u00a0 Be sure to double check how herbal remedies, teas, or other foods\/drinks may impact your body\/drug test results before consuming.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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Do your research on programs that will support the unique needs and challenges of student athletes.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Be sure to ask if there are extra costs associated with gym memberships, access to a pool, and\/or the facilities you need.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t

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General Student Athletes Resources<\/strong><\/h4>\n

GoAbroad \u2013 Common Myths About Studying Abroad as a Student Athlete<\/a>
\nGoAbroad \u2013 Why Student Athletes Should Study Abroad<\/a>
\nIES Abroad \u2013 Yes, Athletes Can Study Abroad<\/a><\/p>\n

How to Study Abroad As A College Athlete<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Statement of Support<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\u201cThe athletic department fully supports student athletes participation in study abroad programs. The educational opportunities, in diverse settings, that the study abroad program provides, benefits the development of our student athletes and reinforces the lessons we strive to teach within athletics.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryan Bowles<\/strong>, Director of Athletics from 2015-2024<\/em><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t

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#OlesOffCampus! My Identity Abroad\/Away Story<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t<\/header>\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
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\u201cTraveling off campus and missing the second half of my basketball season as well as my entire track season was more difficult than I thought it would be. Going from nearly always being in season and working out with my team, to working out alone and non competitively whenever I could fit it in, was a big change. I had a really difficult time adjusting at first, especially as I watched my team finish their season without me. I still identified as an athlete but all of a sudden I wasn\u2019t surrounded by my team. Eventually I joined a gym, and made some workout buddies, and really dove in to my experience abroad. I\u2019m 6\u20192\u2033 and I was constantly asked by Spaniards if I played basketball! It was a nice reminder that even as I was struggling with being unable to compete, others could still view me as a varsity athlete. In the end, I had an unbelievable experience in Seville, and it was well worth the cost of missing the competitions that I did. That being said, I\u2019m looking forward to getting back on the court and on the track next year.\u201d
\n\u2013 Makenna \u201919, CIEE Liberal Arts in Seville<\/em><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\u201cThis past January Term, I had the incredible opportunity to study human development in India! As a member of the cross country and track teams, I was nervous about missing part of my indoor track season and staying in shape while abroad. However, my coaches were very supportive, and encouraged me and my teammates to take advantage of the many study abroad options St. Olaf offers its students. In similar regard, my professor was helpful in discussing feasibility and safely precautions of running in India. While training in India was definitely not easy, I was able to stay fit while still making the most of my time there. Looking back at everything I experienced while in India, I don\u2019t at all regret missing part of my track season in exchange for an amazing month of growth, exploration, personal and social discovery, and stimulating thought!\u201d
\n\u2013\u00a0Meredith \u201920, Human Development in a Cross Cultural Context, India (January Term)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t

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\u201cThis past fall semester, I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark. While abroad, I studied graphic design, and truly loved how each of my courses integrated the surrounding landscape of Copenhagen, Denmark, and Europe. That being said, as a student-athlete, studying abroad was one of the most difficult decisions that I have made while at St. Olaf \u2014 I knew I would miss being with the softball team here! However, one of the best parts about my time in Denmark was joining a local softball team, based out of a town called H\u00f8rsholm. I flew to Denmark three days before my program started, and played a softball game with the team that same evening! I made so many wonderful connections with teammates, and learned so much from them about the Danish culture. And, as an added bonus, our team won the Danish National Softball Championship!\u201d
\n\u2013Kate \u201919, DIS Copenhagen<\/em><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\u201dStudying abroad was one of the coolest, scariest, most eye opening, craziest, and amazing experiences. Being in New Zealand, I was able to reflect on what\u2019s most important to me while going on jaw-dropping hikes or drives or walks or honestly seeing anything in this beautiful country. I\u2019m so happy I was able to add this wonderful experience during my time at St. Olaf. I never thought going abroad for a semester was an option for an athlete but my coach, teammates, friends, and school all encouraged me to go abroad and have a blast. So thank you to all you wonderful oles who supported me through this wild adventure!!\u201d
\n-Kaelin \u201921, University of Otago<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t

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SHARE YOUR #OLESoffcampus IDENTITY STORY!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n

<\/p><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":3511,"featured_media":0,"parent":231,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1070","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1070","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3511"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1070"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1070\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8922,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1070\/revisions\/8922"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/231"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1070"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1070"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1070"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}