How did you decide to go into the field of Sports Science?
I think anyone that has played or watched sport avidly, wants to know the geek behind it. Either the development in equipment or training methods to enhance performance, or the psychology of an athlete in a clutch situation. Having worked in the area, the appeal to 'want to know' never goes away.
The staff in this school are researching so many fascinating things, that every day I get more excited about science and the link to sport, technology, performance and training. Science is the basis, but the lure of sport and understanding the how behind it, is irresistible.
What makes this program unique for study abroad students?
Getting hands on experience. Our system is unique in that we have practicals embedded in all our theoretical classes. Our students ‘do’ from day one. Measure, test, teach, perform, conduct. Many students come from systems where they learn the theory but never get to apply.
Other reasons for doing study abroad are endless, but all revolve around developing, experiencing, seeing new things, being shaped by environment. And sharing their experience with our students, Then going home with a world perspective.
What are some extracurricular activities that students could do for the semester to add to this experience?
The reason why I recommend Perth is because study abroad students get immersed in a community. Big city experiences can be isolating, and let’s face it, can be experienced anywhere.
By all means, on the way home go to the big cities and be a tourist. But whilst you are studying, stay in a beautiful place, that is easy to commute, where you become part of the community. Not just looking in from the outside.
UWA is a world class University, uniquely set up so that a visitor soon becomes a local. The rest of the ’to do’ list is just tourist stuff. The real attraction is about being part of the experience.
What do you like about students that you’ve worked with from the US?
Education is a two-way street. You impact our students as much as they do you. I love seeing Study Abroad students slow down and smell the roses.
US citizens are always incredibly polite which is a lovely trait. They are also completely gullible and so vulnerable to our national desire to pull one’s leg. We have another term for that which may not translate well in this publication. You’ll have to come and learn to speak Aussie to get it.
Anything else you’d like us to know?
I know how hard North Americans work once they graduate. Their work/life balance is so skewed towards the work that many never get the opportunity to take this amount of time out of the grind ever again.
Most North Americans see Perth as 1950’s Americana. A time when everything was rosy and nice. It’s more like the 1970’s. We call it 'daggy'. Not pretentious. Not chic. Just at ease. Come and experience it.
