Studying Abroad and Collegiate Swimming: It’s Possible

Photo Courtesy: Dan Spencer

By Elise Campbell, Swimming World College Intern

Most collegiate athletes don’t believe studying abroad is ever an option. Swimmers usually don’t even consider it. The mindset about such an opportunity could change if the commonly unseen athletic benefits were revealed.

Summer Programs

Photo Courtesy: Morgan Pestorius

Summer is a busy time for swimmers. We train year-round and the warm months are no exception, whether it be at school or back home. Add work, summer classes and a striking one-piece tan and you’ve got a classic recipe for a swimmer summertime. This of course leaves little room for world travel.

But what if committed athletes could somehow fit in both? A short but meaningful study abroad program could change a swimmer’s life in a positive way. We are well-rounded as athletes, but that doesn’t mean we don’t make sacrifices, don’t miss out on opportunities that a normal student has. Seeing a new part of the world can offer a perspective vastly different from the black line we are so accustomed to.

Many coaches may not enjoy this article. They don’t want their athletes to miss out on precious training and the chance to improve. Swimmers whose dreams of athletic success have yet to mesh with their ideas of seeing the world may think differently. But there is a middle ground.

Since studying abroad during the regular season is not a possibility, summer is the perfect alternative. There are many program options during the summertime as well as different trip lengths. Anything up to 5 or 6 weeks is ideal, because there is still time to get back in the water before the crucial (and sometimes dreaded) long course taper meet.

How to Have It All

Photo Courtesy: Dan Worden

In most cases, it is perfectly possible to train and learn in a foreign country.

The most important aspect of having success in both is to accept that you are not a normal student. Despite what other members of your program can do, you are different. If you want both, you have to put in the effort and remember the dedication and responsibilities you have at home. And that will be difficult.

Keep Training in Mind

Photo Courtesy: Todd Anderson

If you have access to a pool, training is simply a matter of completing sets and putting in the work on your own. However that is not always possible. As a swimmer that may seem like a death sentence for your season, but it doesn’t have to be.

Lifting is a crucial part of training abroad. Losing muscle, as well as the feeling of being strong, will make for an unfortunate end-of-season meet. Five to six weeks of muscle loss cannot easily be regained in a four-week period. Without the help of swimming, stepping up your lifting schedule could be an option. Avoid getting too swoll though, you don’t want to be weighed down upon returning to the pool.

Cardio can also help to replace some of the fitness lost from a lack of swimming. Running, either on a treadmill or as a way to explore a new city, is always a good choice. For those who despise running (like myself), or find it causes them pain or injury, biking is another way to get in some cardio.

Why Do It?

Photo Courtesy: Griffin Scott

It will be tough to convince both coaches and parents that studying abroad is worth it. You may not even be sure. But taking a chance and learning to trust your own athleticism and drive is a valuable lesson. Traveling to another country broadens your horizons, both literally and figuratively.

Beyond learning about yourself through this experience, you will learn about who you are as an athlete. Though you may dream of it during a hard training cycle, a few days without working out will likely drive the average swimmer to the gym.

A tired athlete losing faith in the sport can find a renewed love for swimming based on the control and pride you get from choosing to train. It becomes a confidence booster, knowing that you are committed enough to make the right choices. Also, your appreciation for the team environment deepens from the solitary training.

Collegiate swimmers can lose their love for the sport because of the daily grind. They have lived their lives based on swimming up to this point. Choosing to do something for themselves, to experience a different lifestyle and culture can end up making them a better athlete.

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Dawn Fleming

8 years ago

Morgan Fleming you might want to do this!

Dawn Fleming

8 years ago

Morgan Fleming you might want to do this!