Each summer, students have a chance to explore Australian culture and the integral role of sports in defining the country’s identity. This four-week education abroad program is offered by the MSU Department of Human Development and Family Studies. Designed to be immersive, students explore the games that have helped shape the country’s culture including an emphasis on the recent rise in popularity of professional women’s sports.
“I learned that especially in Australia, sports serve as much more than just physical activity. They bring together the community as a whole and allow people to grow on a personal level as well,” said Grace Becker, junior and physiology major.
Under the guidance of local coaches, they get a chance to experience six of the most popular Australian sports and also get the chance to witness professional athletes in action.
Great Barrier Reef in Cairns, Australia, photo courtesy of Grace Becker.
“The highlight of my trip was meeting such an awesome group of students that I will be lifelong friends with,” she said. “I also had a great experience with the surfing lessons we had on Bondi Beach, and will have lifelong memories from this experience.
Complementing the sports-centric aspect of the program are various cultural visits and events, providing a well-rounded understanding of not only Australia’s heritage but what it's like to live in this modern, multicultural society.
Students had opportunities to see wildlife, in and outside of wildlife parks. Photo courtesy of Grace Becker
“One of the most rewarding parts of leading study abroad programs as a faculty member is watching students grow in their ability to navigate and embrace unfamiliar environments,” said Dr. Yuya Kiuchi, lead program faculty member. “It’s powerful to see them realize that what is different isn’t necessarily wrong or inferior—it’s just different. As they encounter new cultures and perspectives, their assumptions are gently challenged, and their capacity for empathy and openness expands. While it’s meaningful to connect classroom learning to real-world contexts, what excites me most is witnessing that deeper transformation: when students begin to see the world—and themselves—with greater curiosity, humility, and understanding.”
Students can take courses in Human Development and Family Studies, general education courses, kinesiology and special topics in social science.
To learn more about HDFS study aboard programs in Melbourne, Ghana and Ireland, visit our HDFS education abroad webpage.
By Katie Frey