HAVERFORD, Pa. – During the fall semester, 21 student-athletes at Haverford took the opportunity to study abroad. Through Haverford College’s study abroad program, these students explored Argentina, Denmark, France, and Italy just to name a few place while also getting a firsthand experience in international customs, relations, architecture, business and so much more.

Several of these student-athletes took the time to discuss their semester abroad before they return to the United State and the playing field for their respective sports this spring.

Complete listing of Haverford student-athletes that studied abroad during fall semester:

Men's Lacrosse
Eric Caliendo (Biology)
Michael Classen (Economics)
Matt Corbin (Economics)
Tav Hafner (Economics)
Ben Krieger (Biology)
Hunter Sentner (Political Science)

Women's Lacrosse
Elyse Adler (Psychology)
Elizabeth Fishman (Biology)
Amanda Fleming (Biology)
Christina Gould (Economics)
Annie Kelly (Spanish)

Baseball
George Hatamiya (Political Science)
Sam Kane (Economics)
Jamie Ulrich (Political Science)

Softball
Sara Tauriello (Psychology)
Miwa Wenzel (Biology/Philosophy)

Women's Squash
Emily Berlin (Philosophy)
Alyssa Kaden (Chemistry)
Ava Lichauco (Mathematics)

Men's Tennis
Zach Mason (English)

Men's Cross Country/Track
Bill Ristow (Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology)

Women's Cross Country/Track
Maria Vastola (Biology)

Elyse Adler (women’s lacrosse)
Institute for the International Education of Students/Rome, Italy

Most interesting/memorable moment: The most memorable moments for me have been going to archaeological sites, museums, and churches with my professors. It was absolutely unforgettable to be able to have a class about Michelangelo while standing right in in the Sistine Chapel or learn about Roman emperors while walking through the Imperial Fora.
Future career plans: Unclear, but I think I would like to study to become a licensed psychologist.
How did studying abroad help you: I think studying abroad has been amazing as it has been an opportunity to experience academics in a new way. It has been amazing to study the renaissance paintings in class and then be able to see them all in person in the various churches and museums around Rome and Florence. It has given me a new appreciation for art and the culture around art in Italy.

Emily Jean Berlin (women’s squash)
The Sorbonne/Paris, France

Most interesting/memorable moment: While visiting Vienna, I got to see a Lipizzaner Stallions performance - something that is really a once in a life time opportunity.
How did studying abroad help you: Studying abroad taught me a lot about what it means to be American as well as the importance of understanding and respecting cultural norms. Having this international perspective is both important in the classroom as well as in any career. I also had to learn how to communicate all different types of ideas and feelings using a language I'm not completely comfortable in. I learned how to communicate my ideas as clearly as possible, which is also always useful.

Matt Corbin (men’s lacrosse)
Danish Institute for Study Abroad/Copenhagen, Denmark

Most interesting/memorable moment: Playing lacrosse with the national Danish team, joining an Irish startup company, losing my phone in Germany and consequentially traveling around Europe without technology.
Future career plans: I want to own my own company and/or build a company from the ground floor with others.
How did studying abroad help you: After studying abroad, I have undergone substantial personal growth. The added perspectives, cultures, differences, and experiences have enhanced my understanding of the world and my place in it. I am now very independent and embrace getting out of my comfort zone because I know that I will be able to handle the unknown. I think that ultimately this will help me in my future academic and professional pursuits.

Christina Gould (women’s lacrosse)
Danish Institute for Study Abroad/Copenhagen, Denmark

Most interesting/memorable moment: It is very difficult to choose just one or a few interesting and memorable moments from abroad. Every week was a different and exciting experience with the traveling to new places or the classes I took.
Future career plans: I hope to go into business, not sure specifically what area of business though.
How did studying abroad help you: Studying abroad has given me the opportunity to take classes that I would never have the chance to take at Haverford. I took a European Business Strategy class within the International Business program at DIS, and it was my absolute favorite class. That class has also made me confident in knowing that business is the right career path for me.

Sam Kane (baseball)
Danish Institute for Study Abroad/Copenhagen, Denmark

Most interesting/memorable moment: Getting to travel all across Europe.
How did studying abroad help you: Studying abroad significantly improved my cultural awareness and was extremely enlightening to see the world from an entirely new perspective. It challenged me to really discover myself, and was one of the most beneficial experiences I have ever had

Annie Kelly (women’s lacrosse)
Universidad Nacional de Cuyo/Mendoza, Argentina

Most interesting/memorable moment: Three friends and I went to southern Chile, to Patagonia and hiked the W trail in Torres del Paine. It was a four night, five day trek that went through the most amazing landscapes, from Gatorade blue lakes, to glaciers, and the most foreboding mountains I've ever seen. We hiked at least 15 miles a day through winds up to 70 miles per hour (which literally knocked us over many times). We got caught in a blizzard after sprinting up a mountain to see the sunrise, we had our tent flooded, and we could barely walk by the end. At one point I thought, "the only difference between this and preseason is that no one is yelling at me.” But it was absolutely the most amazing trip of my life.
Future career plans: I would love to continue using my Spanish
How did studying abroad help you: I learned to be a lot more comfortable being uncomfortable. Not really knowing what's going on was an everyday occurrence and I learned how to roll with it. I've also learned how much of a difference confidence can make especially when there are culture or language barriers.

Jamie Ulrich (baseball)
Danish Institute for Study Abroad/Copenhagen, Denmark

Most interesting/memorable moment: I think the highlight of my semester was going to Brussels and meeting various political actors working with European Union policy. I was fortunate enough to meet with lobbyists from the American Chamber of Commerce, who were able to thoroughly demonstrate how American corporations work with the relevant European politicians in order to address the needs of their various companies. Additionally, I very much enjoyed a class visit to NATO, where a member of the Danish delegation gave us a pretty frank explanation of how the member states collaborate in the name of defense.
Future career plans: Undecided. I'm considering law school or a Ph.D. in Political Science.
How did studying abroad help you: First, the fact that Denmark is a welfare state was a helpful, not to mention firsthand, insight into a different style of government than we have here in the United States. Second, I felt that I met a lot of interesting, intelligent peers who inspired me to achieve. Last, my classes were taught by people who have work experience in their respective fields. In European Politics I was taught by a former member of Danish parliament. In International Law I was taught by a current member of Denmark's delegation to the United Nations. In my class on Al-Qaida I was taught by current members of the Danish intelligence services.