Casey Mellen, Nicole Taylor Expand Their Horizons Abroad

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BEVERLY, Mass. – Endicott women's soccer student-athletes and 2016 captains Casey Mellen (Litchfield, N.H.) and  Nicole Taylor (North Easton, Mass.) were able to study in Australia, Brazil, Egypt, Greece, Italy, London, and Poland. Both student-athletes recently took the time to describe their experiences abroad. Here's what they had to say.

Mellen on Studying Abroad

1) Where did you go on your study abroad trip?

"Athens, Greece, but while abroad, not only did I get to experience all that Greece had to offer, but I also was able to travel to Italy, Poland and London. Studying in Europe made it very easy to visit other countries."

2) Why is it valuable to be able to play a sport and also go study abroad during your time at Endicott?

"It is valuable to study abroad and play a sport. Athletics is a huge part of my life and consumes a majority of my time. While abroad I had more time to experience things that I may have not got the chance to, if I had stayed in the States. Being abroad allowed me to learn about myself and see a different perspective of other people and their way of life. It truly is an eye opening experience."

3) Would you suggest studying abroad to other student-athletes? If so, why?

"I would definitely suggest studying abroad to other students! It is a once in a lifetime experience being able to submerge yourself in a completely different culture for many months. I created so many friendships from people all over the world, and even some from Endicott who I previously did not know. For anyone who has the passion to travel like I do, study abroad is something you can't pass up."

2) Describe your most memorable experience.

"It's hard to choose the most memorable experience because everything was amazing. I would say my favorite experiences in Australia would be sky diving on Mission Beach, scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef, living on a boat for a weekend seeing the Whitsunday Islands, staying at Byron Bay and learning how to surf, and I can't forget Sydney and walking to Bondi Beach and seeing the cute quaint beach towns along the way. My other memorable experiences outside of Australia included riding an elephant and seeing all the culture Bali had to offer in Ubud, Kuta and more. Additionally, my week and a half long trip in Queenstown, New England had amazing views and a crazy adrenaline rush of all the extreme sports like bungy jumping, zip lining, white water rafting and more."

3) Why is it valuable to be able to play a sport and also go study abroad during your time at Endicott?

"It's incredibly valuable to be able to experience both and I couldn't have been more lucky to be able to participate in playing the game I've always known and being able to travel abroad. Growing up playing competitive sports, in my case soccer, was a big time commitment. That being said, that commitment comes with the perks of being part of a team/family and creating bonds and life long relationships; this is something that every athletes can relate to. The thrill of competing is something that every athlete can't dream of giving up. So to be allowed to travel abroad as a college athlete is amazing. It provided me the opportunity to meet new people and create other bonds outside of sports. To be able to see what the world had to offer is something so wonderful and eye opening. Traveling abroad you meet a whole other group of people that impacts you just as much as your teammates. It is such a gift to be given the opportunity to not only stay focused and passionate about your sport, but also to be able to immerse yourself in a different culture and meet new people that might share the same interests and passion outside of sports. Both these opportunities mold you into a well rounded, independent individual."

4) Would you suggest studying abroad to other student-athletes? If so, why?

"I would definitely suggest studying abroad to other student-athletes. It's a decision I would never regret. Being able to see the world and stick to the sport you have grown up with is almost a dream come true. There are so many reasons why you should go and open your eyes to all the little things the world has to offer and knowing you'll being able to come back to your team and play once again makes it even better. These experiences and people you surround yourself with will forever create lasting  memories and friendships. So I urge student athletes to take that next step and experience it all. "

WHY STUDY ABROAD? – (ENDICOTT STUDY ABROAD WEBSITE)

"Globalization is here to stay, and students who want to work in our interconnected global world should study or intern abroad.

Despite the inevitable increasing global competition for jobs, American graduates lack the international experience, language capabilities and cross-cultural communication skills necessary to succeed in the global economy.

Making education abroad a part of their college education is the most effective and accessible means for students to develop needed skills because it pushes a student to get out of her comfort zone to experience another culture, language, environment and education system. It teaches students to appreciate difference and diversity firsthand, and enables them to recognize — and then dismiss — stereotypes they may have held about people they had never met.

Learning how to interact with people from other countries and cultures equips future leaders in all sectors to address urgent issues — from curing diseases and finding energy solutions, to fighting terrorism and hunger — shared across borders."

– Alan Goodman, President Institute of International Education 

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