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Studying Abroad as a Graduate Student

Studying abroad in Italy was the first time Jasmine had traveled internationally. She had plans to study abroad while in undergrad, but due to the pandemic and other reasons, was never able to participate in a program. One day last fall, a flyer posted in the MACC Annex promoting the Florence program caught her attention which gave her a glimmer of hope that she would be able to finally study abroad.

“I could do anything for a month… and I knew that this was going to be a good opportunity and I didn’t want to have regrets or fear holding me back.”

Once Jasmine found out that the opportunity to study abroad was also open to graduate students, she jumped at the chance to live out a long-term dream, despite any initial nervousness or hesitancies.

Taking Sport Administration Classes Abroad

While in Florence, Jasmine took the Sport in Global Perspective course where she was able to understand that sports are considered less of a priority in Italian culture as a student.

“Learning the Sport Industry and about the Italian culture… and the whole different mindset of the approach of athletics that inspired me and my work now.”

During a high school site visit for her course, she learned that sport participation is not really encouraged during a student’s high school career and that academics have higher importance, which shifted the way she thought about sport culture.

One big takeaway from the site visit was the importance of accountability and being mindful of the ways that athletes show up in their spaces.

Navigating Identity While Abroad

Jasmine shares that she was a bit nervous as to how her identity as a Black Woman in Europe would be perceived while studying and traveling abroad.

“Having a limited understanding of the world and being a Person of Color… and having a fear of how I will be perceived while I was over there, are people not going to like me? I didn’t know another Person of Color that was also going to go… having that anxiety before going and not knowing how to fit in or find anywhere to be was pretty intimidating to me.”

Over time, through classroom interactions and program excursions with her peers, she started to feel less isolated and alone as a Woman of Color.

“Our community was formed on being in Italy together and at the point it didn’t matter about major or race or any of that other stuff… it was we’re living this out for the first time together.”

Personal Impacts from Studying Abroad

Jasmine was able to discover many insights that she can apply to her personal life, a few of the highlights being:

1. The importance of trying new things abroad and not restricting or limiting herself
2. Becoming a more open-minded, flexible, and outgoing person because of her experiences abroad
3. A new-found passion and love for traveling and experiencing new cultures - she now even encourages the student athletes she works with to study abroad!

Advice for Future Graduate Students Studying Abroad

If Jasmine could share one thing to other graduate students who are considering going abroad, it would be to take the leap and “do it scared.” She adds that if graduate students are on the fence about studying abroad, they should take advantage of one of their last opportunities academically as a student to participate and go for it.

“Living on the edge of your comfort zone, even though it might make you nervous or scared, is the ultimate place where growth takes place.”

 “Be where your feet are and enjoy the moment”

Jasmine adds, “What you put into it is definitely what you’re going to get out of it,” so graduate students should take the opportunity to be fully immersed in this life-changing experience.