University of Oklahoma Athletics
Record Number of Sooners Studying Abroad
May 19, 2016 | Athletics
NORMAN — A total of 21 University of Oklahoma student-athletes – the most in school history – from eight different sports will participate in study abroad opportunities around the world this summer. The student-athletes will learn in countries such as Belgium, Brazil, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru and Spain.
Nearly 20 years ago, the university began laying the groundwork for creating study abroad opportunities for student-athletes that fit with their schedules, said Jennifer Jarvis-Denny, the study abroad coordinator for OU student-athletes. From 1993-2012, approximately 10 student-athletes participated in study abroad programs at OU, none of which were active in their sports at the time. Significant growth has occurred since then, with 59 student-athletes who were actively on rosters participating in study abroad programs.
OU soccer player Angela Boyle is one of 21 Sooners studying abroad this summer, doing so in Spain.
“The increase in participation is largely due to the pursuit of the creation of courses that accommodate both the academic needs and time constraints of our student-athletes,” Jarvis-Denny said. “Along with the pursuit of course creation, the study abroad director for student-athletes has worked with academic advisors, coaches and administrators to promote program participation and provide financial assistance for studying abroad. With this collaborative effort, the OU Athletics Department has created study abroad opportunities for student-athletes like no other university.
“Studying abroad is an essential learning experience for this generation of young adults,” Jarvis-Denny continued. “In today's highly-interconnected society, it is necessary to not only know about other cultures but to also experience the day-to-day life events within that culture. Studying abroad allows an individual to challenge his or her own identity while gaining a profound level of understanding of other cultures. It teaches individuals to adapt and be more tolerant of other's views, yet it also allows individuals to more clearly understand and articulate his or her own views in contrast to others. In short, studying abroad instills a sense of self confidence while respecting others views and teaches individuals to adapt and work comfortably in unfamiliar situations.”
Among the course offerings OU student-athletes will be taking overseas this summer are a Spanish language class, Olympic Legacies, and Sport and Culture in Ireland, to name a few. Following is a list of the Sooners studying abroad this summer:
| Name | Sport | Year | Studying In |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Alvarez | Football | Jr. | Ireland |
| Rodney Anderson | Football | R-Fr. | Ireland |
| Morgan Baulier | Track/XC | Sr. | Multiple |
| Angela Boyle | Soccer | So. | Granada, Spain |
| Allan Bower | Gymnastics | Sr. | Multiple |
| Stephanie Busse | Rowing | Sr. | Seville, Spain |
| Emily Coffman | Rowing | Jr. | Lima, Peru |
| Jeff Curran | Baseball | Grad | Seville, Spain |
| Nicasia D'Allesandro | Rowing | Sr. | Puebla, Mexico |
| Sophia Fernald | Track/XC | Jr. | Oxford, England |
| Mimi Fotopoulos | Tennis | Sr. | Ireland |
| Dylan Hartsook | Football | Sr. | Ireland |
| Madison Heidenburg | Track/XC | Sr. | Ireland |
| Gabrielle Kearney | Track & Field | So. | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Lane Maguire | Track/XC | Jr. | Oxford, England |
| Liam Meirow | Track/XC | Jr. | Italy |
| Chloe Peek | Track/XC | Sr. | Granada, Spain |
| Hayley Redwine | Track/XC | Jr. | Oxford, England |
| Olivia Taylor | Track/XC | Sr. | Ireland |
| Brittany Tretbar | Track/XC | Sr. | Leipzig, Germany |
| Lea Wodach | Softball | Jr. | Seville, Spain |
