Student-athletes enjoy unique experiece in Croatia over spring break

Over spring break, a group of six student-athletes were accompanied by two members of the Lehigh faculty, on the trip of a lifetime to Croatia. The purpose of the trip was to provide a collaboratively-developed and intentionally-designed study abroad experience for student-athletes over spring break. It targeted a population of students who might not otherwise have this co-curricular learning and leadership development opportunity.

Three Lehigh departments collaborated in order to offer this trip, including the Office of International Affairs, the Office of Student Leadership Development and the Athletics Department. Assistant Director for Athletics Leadership Development Julie Sterrett, and Carol Hamm from the Office of International Affairs led the students on this remarkable experience.

The six student-athletes that attended, Jessica Kendzor '14 (cross country, track and field), Katie Howley '14 (cross country, track and field), Murphee Greeley '14 (women's soccer), Liz Cornell '15 (rowing), Taylor Wise '15 (swimming and diving), and Katherine Sullivan '14 (former women's lacrosse), met three times before departing for Croatia to document their expectations and goals for the trip.

The nine-day trip consisted of 14 hours of professional leadership education, one day of community service, and two visits with professional sports teams. Students stayed with host families during their visit and had the opportunity to take a guided tour of the city of Rijeka. The two-day leadership component of the trip, Leadership for Life: Enhancing Your Skills for Personal and Professional Success, was delivered by Sue Green and Sterrett. For the day of community service, the student-athletes had the opportunity to visit a local children's hospital where they read, did puzzles and played games. Later in the day, the Croatian soccer team and the Olympic gold medal water polo team visited them. Their final day in Croatia included an excursion to Krk Island before attending a closing dinner and preparing to travel home.

Highlights of the trip included significant personal and leadership development, cultural immersion, appreciation of new relationships and interaction with Croatian business people.

The student-athletes learned a lot about both themselves and a new culture during this abroad experience.

“I think the biggest thing that I'm taking back form Croatia is the way our hosts and everyone we interacted with talking about life. They said they really try to enjoy the experience of everything as much as they can without rush through and missing important situations.” – Taylor Wise

“The leadership conference was great and I found myself taking extensive notes throughout. The program leaders did everything they could to stay in contact and make sure we were all comfortable in our homestay and throughout the trip.” – Jessica Kendzor

“This brief week abroad made me, without any doubts, wish that I could spend a summer or semester abroad. The things that you open up to and allow yourself to experience are things that you never give any consideration to in your normal day to day life.” – Murphee Greeley

“I have never been to Europe before, so this was a great experience for me. I now understand what kind of learner I am, and I've also put a lot of through into the changes I want to make to become the person that I want to be.” – Elizabeth Cornell

Sterrett, a recipient of the Student Affairs International Experience Grant, was also personally affected by the opportunity.

“Croatia provided an experiential learning opportunity for student-athlete participants to apply and expand their working knowledge of leadership,” Sterrett said. “Not only was the Croatia trip transformational for our students, but I truly feel changed as a professional in tremendously positive ways.”

Story by Taylor Boyd '13

Lehigh University Athletics

Student-athletes enjoy unique experiece in Croatia over spring break

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