Off-Campus Sports and Extracurriculars
Whether overseas or domestic, out in the mountains or in the heart of cities, St. Lawrence University students have found many ways to practice their sport and continue the activities they love while studying off campus. It is a common misconception that varsity athletes and those highly involved on campus can’t or shouldn’t go off campus. On the contrary! Many of our athletes, theater participants, activists, volunteers and everyone in between have so many opportunities of campus to engage in the activities they love and find new ones too. Whether you’re a varsity athlete or just like to move your body, off-campus study programs provide a host of opportunities for Saints to keep training, playing, and getting involved! Here are just some of the ways in which our wonderful student-athletes are continuing to practice the activities they love while getting involved in their local communities.
Women’s cross country and track & field member Ashley Wieland ’27 is missing no time training and having fun while in Spain. Making the most of the gorgeous parks and scenery, Wieland has taken her off-campus study opportunity to explore the city while running. “Running in Madrid has been a great experience. My favorite places to run are the classic Retiro Park, which has many different paths and gardens and statues and water fountains and a rowboating pond, and peacocks! That is where the Run Club meets each week for evening runs,” she said. “My other favorite place to run (especially longer runs) is Casa de Campo, which has extensive running and bike paths. It is considerably more hilly than the parks, but there are beautiful views overlooking the city at different hilltops.”
Fellow Fall 2025 Spain program participant Yvette Karera ’27 is also staying active while studying off campus. Tennis has always been an important part of her life, and although she was excited about having the opportunity to study in Spain, she was worried about having to leave that part of herself behind. Luckily, Karera found an amazing way to keep playing and make some new friends.
“On a complete whim, I decided to text the international student WhatsApp group to see if anyone would be interested in playing together. I didn’t expect any response, but to my surprise, I found plenty of other students who felt the exact same way!” she said. “Thanks to that first step, I’ve been able to continue playing the sport I love, while also experiencing the beauty of life in Madrid.” Now, when Karera returns to the SLU tennis team in the spring, she can say she’s had some international play time!
Lindsay McTague ’26 is who you’d call an adventurous spirit. Not only is McTague a member of the women’s crew team, but she also loves to stay active by running, biking, camping and much more. As an outdoor enthusiast, New Zealand seemed a perfect fit for her to keep exploring, try new activities and stay in great shape. “I was lucky enough to find people that had similar interests to me, which brought in new experiences while also allowing me to build upon things I love. I learned how to outdoor climb, surf and do a (very rough) underwater kayak roll,” she said. “I also was able to keep up with rowing, climbing, running, biking and hiking through the amount of outdoor opportunities the South Island had to offer. Studying abroad in Dunedin not only expanded my academic experience but also provided a space to create lifelong friends and unforgettable adventures.” Outdoor activities are a prominent part of life and culture in New Zealand, and it is wonderful to see just how many ways athletics allowed McTague to engage with the local community and make new friends with shared interests.
Another one of our amazing varsity athletes, Rogan Cardinal ’27, has also been staying active on the field while off campus. Cardinal commented, “Being able to play competitive lacrosse while studying in the Czech Republic has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Not only is this a way for us to keep a stick in our hands and stay active, but an amazing way to connect authentically with our Czech teammates. We have traveled to Poland, Croatia and other parts of the Czech Republic playing with our team, and look forward to the rest of our season over here!” There are so many opportunities for varsity athletes like Cardinal to continue practicing, even while overseas!
Our athletes are not the only ones pursuing their passions while off campus. Simone Routledge ’27 shared with us her amazing experience performing in a London play, “An Unsuitable Job for a Woman!”, getting to meet with real British actors and actresses. She also noted the close bond she formed with a mentor. “I ended up getting really close with the professor of the theater class… I really learned a lot from her, and she inspired me, kind of, with what I want to do with my career and my life. I want to be a documentary filmmaker and perhaps do journalism,” she said. “She just really helped me see that your career is what you make of it, and life is what you make of it. You don’t have to follow a binary path, and I am [incredibly] grateful for that experience. It definitely shaped the future trajectory of my life.” Simone’s experience in the theater class is a wonderful example of just how meaningful participating in and pursuing your passions while studying off campus can be.
Studying off campus does not mean you have to sacrifice the sports and activities you love. In fact, venturing into our programs allows you to make new friends, have novel experiences, and keep active all over the world. The early decision deadline for off-campus study is Dec. 6 at 11:59 p.m. in Studio Abroad. The general deadline is Feb. 1 at 11:59 p.m. in Studio Abroad.