Graduating members of the women's basketball team

May 8, 2007

Add one part international education course, two parts exceptional athletic and academic performance, and a dose of "you go girl" philosophy and you have three prepared, excited and capable young women graduating from SFU this spring and thinking of the world.

If their university life is any indication of what is in store for these women after graduation, then it's hard not to expect great things from Kelsie Thu, Julia Wilson and Laura Van den Boogaard, all members of the SFU Women's Basketball team.

Each student is graduating from a different faculty this spring but last summer they all took EDUC 391, a unique course that combines a team sport with international travel in an educational perspective. Under the guidance and support of Dr. Ian Andrews,Director of External Programs and International Initiatives and Dr. Alex Carre, Adjunct Professor, this inaugural course saw the entire SFU Women's Basketball Team travel to China for two weeks to study and practice, and what they learned went far beyond their expectations.

The reality of traveling in a third world country opened everyone's eyes to the harsh reality of living conditions and, paradoxically, to the beauty they found in the people and the arts and culture. "I never had an understanding of the richness of the culture before, and that will always stay with me," says Julia. Both Kelsie and Julia admit to being bitten by the travel bug and are eager to expand their horizons and to find out more about the world through their own eyes.

Ian originated the idea for the course and is extremely proud since "this is the first time an undergraduate Education credit course has partnered with the Athletics program in such a manner."

In addition to being accomplished athletes, all three women maintained excellent academic standing and are now set to continue this course of achievement, discipline and leadership. Both Kelsie and Julia are particularly proud of their SFU experience and are keen to point out that it was the combination of sports and academics that solidified their friendships and enriched the experience of university beyond their expectations.

While Kelsie is planning to pursue a master's degree in biology, Julia will be starting graduate studies in communications this fall and Laura is already working full time in a position she has been coveting for some time.

This spring, EDUC 391 saw the SFU Women's Softball team travel to Japan and, while future courses are still under consideration, both Ian and Wilf Wedmann, Director of SFU Recreation and Athletics, are hopeful it will continue. Wilf feels such courses reflect SFU's message of "Thinking of the World" and helps his athletes prepare for international competition as well as hone the discipline needed to maintain exceptional athletic and academic performance.

For more information on Education 391 go to http://www.educ.sfu.ca/ugradprogs