We now head to the Netherlands to catch up with Alisa DeLuca, a junior on the women's lacrosse team. She is studying abroad this fall at Maastricht University. DeLuca is a business administration major with a concentration in management. Here we find out how her experience abroad has been so far.
What classes are you taking? What class is your favorite?
Right now I am taking European Refugee Crisis with the Muhlenberg professor Paula Irwin who came along with us for the first part of our fall semester. Also, I am also taking a class offered through the CES program that is about Leadership and Management in a global world. I really enjoy the leadership class because I can apply many of the theoretical concepts to my daily life, and a lot of the strategies we are learning can be applied in both a classroom setting and a business setting.
Have you visited any other countries? Which city was your favorite?
Yes! So far, I have been to Berlin and Munich in Germany. I have also been to Brussels in Belgium and Florence, Italy. So far Florence has been my favorite city. It was beautiful weather and had such amazing views and of course food. However, I am also going to Paris and Copenhagen these next two weekends and I'm thinking Paris may top Florence.
What made you want to go abroad?
One of the main reasons I wanted to go abroad was because I really wanted to push my limits in getting to meet new people. I am the only girl in my program for Maastricht and although I love hanging with the guys it really forced me to branch out and meet other people. It was kind of like being a freshman at Muhlenberg again, but it has been a very exciting experience so far. Also, another reason is Maastricht is a great point in regards to traveling to many different cities throughout Europe. You are a train ride away from France, Germany, Belgium and the UK! We even visited a point where you could be in three countries at once!
What are you doing to train and prepare for your sport while so far away?
While I have been abroad I have joined the local gym and have been taking various classes that challenge me but are also a lot of fun! I have been taking kickboxing classes to help me work on my cardio and footwork. Also, they offer boot camps a couple times a week that really help with endurance and I also mix in some strength classes in a session called body pump!
Any words to your team back home?
Keep putting in the work each day! Mind over matter and remember to work hard on the field but also take some time off the field to bond with our newest mules! I can't wait to see you guys after winter break!
Previous "Postcards":
Morgan Weiss, Women's Lacrosse (Washington, D.C.)
Eva Sodaitis, Women's Basketball (Florence, Italy)
Erin Duca, Women's Lacrosse (Copenhagen, Denmark)
