{"id":22896,"date":"2023-03-28T08:47:07","date_gmt":"2023-03-27T23:47:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/inst\/sgu\/?p=22896"},"modified":"2023-11-01T10:47:15","modified_gmt":"2023-11-01T01:47:15","slug":"a-students-study-abroad-experience-to-university-of-florida","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/inst\/sgu\/news-en\/2023\/03\/28\/22896\/","title":{"rendered":"A student\u2019s study abroad experience to University of Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"

PENG Jiaxuan, a master\u2019s student from the Graduate School of Sport Sciences<\/a> went on an exchange program at University of Florida<\/a> from January to March 2023. This program was based on a bilateral collaboration agreement between the two institutions and was sponsored by the Top Global University (TGU) Program<\/a>.<\/strong>
\nPlease read about her experience below!<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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\u2160. About the Travel Support<\/h3>\n

I was fortunate enough to be awarded a travel grant from the Health Promotion: The Joy of Sports and Exercise\u2019s AY2021 Travel Grant Program for Graduate Students to support my study abroad experience at the University of Florida. In order to receive the support, I contacted the professor from UF (Thanks to my supervisor Prof. Sato Shintaro\u2019s recommendation), prepared documentation of my academic program and study plan, received professional interview. I am incredibly grateful for the program’s support in making this opportunity possible.<\/p>\n

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\u2161. About University of Florida<\/h3>\n

The University of Florida is a large public university located in Gainesville, Florida. It has a diverse student body of over 50,000 students and is recognized as one of the top public universities in the United States. The university offers a wide range of academic programs, including a highly-regarded program in Sport Management. The Sport Management Department at the University of Florida is staffed by experienced faculty members who are experts in the field. They bring a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to the classroom, providing students with a dynamic and engaging learning environment. The department also has strong connections with the sports industry, offering students access to internships, networking opportunities, and professional development resources.<\/p>\n

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Picture 1 and 2: UF is very beautiful, the alligators are their mascot because there are many of them in Florida.<\/p>\n

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Picture 3: I photographed a baby alligator.<\/p>\n

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\u2162. About Studying at University of Florida<\/h3>\n

My project period is from January 31 to March 19, 2023. As an exchange student, I had the opportunity to take a variety of courses that were directly applicable to my future study. I took Sport Sociology and Evaluation classes, also attended PhD discussion seminar and Prof. Yong Jae Ko\u2019s lab meeting every week. I was able to learn from professors who are experts in the field and who provided me with real-world insights and experiences, especially about my interest topic: flow experience and esports spectatorship. One of the highlights of my academic experience was a discussion with lab members about my master final thesis, they all provide valuable suggestions. I also had the opportunity to visit the training facilities for sports students and learned about the training programs of local athletes, which allowed me to gain hands-on experience in the industry.<\/p>\n

The academic culture at the University of Florida was challenging but rewarding. The professors held high expectations for their students, but also provided ample support to help us succeed. I appreciated the emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as the collaborative nature of many of the classes.<\/p>\n

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Picture 4: I spent most of my time in this building studying, meeting, and attending classes, I have a strong bond with this building.<\/p>\n

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Picture 5 and 6: During the campus tour led by Dr. Ko, I visited the places where UF athletes live and study.<\/p>\n

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\u2163. Life in Florida<\/h3>\n

Living in Florida was a unique experience that allowed me to explore a new culture and lifestyle. I have a good friendship with lab members, which provided me with a supportive community. Although it was almost impossible to get around without a car, thanks to my friends, they took me to many places, and gave me the opportunity to explore the city of Gainesville and attend local events and festivals.<\/p>\n

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Picture 7 and 8: I experienced the local barbecue culture under the guidance of the seniors.<\/p>\n

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Picture 9: It’s interesting that students here usually ride scooter to school, although I prefer to take the bus.<\/p>\n

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Another challenge of living in Florida was adjusting to the hot and humid weather, which was quite different from what I was used to. However, I quickly adapted and learned to enjoy the outdoor activities that the warm weather allowed for, such as hiking and swimming.<\/p>\n

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Picture 10 and 11: Friends led me to hiking and blue spring activities.<\/p>\n

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\u2164. To Conclude<\/h3>\n

Overall, my study abroad experience at the University of Florida was an incredible opportunity that allowed me to gain valuable academic and personal experiences. I developed important skills such as group brainstorming, gained more knowledge in my interest field of sport management, as well as learned a new perspective on the world. I am incredibly grateful for the support of Waseda University’s Travel Grant Program and the University of Florida, and I would highly recommend this study abroad program to other Sport Management students. Finally, I express my heartfelt gratitude to the professors and lab members of the Sport Management departments at Waseda University and the University of Florida for their unwavering kindness, care, and support.<\/p>\n

Note: To protect privacy, there are no photos of specific people.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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