Miami University international student-athletes share their culture with Preble County Senior Center guests
“These cultural exchanges remind us that no matter where we come from, we all have stories, traditions, and values worth sharing”
Miami University international student-athletes share their culture with Preble County Senior Center guests
Eight student-athletes from Spain and Argentina who play on Miami University’s field hockey team recently enjoyed talking about their culture, language, and more at the Preble County Senior Center in Eaton.
Two of their teammates from Holland will visit there on Oct. 29 to talk about life in their home country.
The visits are part of the Preble County Council on Aging’s monthly program, “See the world from our backyard.” Miami students have participated a few times over the past year — Nepali students in January, a Nigerian student in February, and a Malawian student in June.
“The audience is very interested and engaged,” said Laura Desmond, program manager for Global Partnerships and Programs in Miami’s Global Initiatives.
Some of the Council on Aging staff and volunteers prepared empanadas from Argentina and Spanish-style toast with tomatoes, ham, and avocados.
“We had a great time making them, and it was even more rewarding to see how much everyone enjoyed the flavors,” said Karen Roberts, activities assistant for the Preble County Council on Aging. “Sharing food is such a beautiful way to connect across cultures — it brings people together in the most delicious way!”
Desmond said she hopes community members took away some cultural knowledge and appreciation for the student-athletes. “The students shared their love of field hockey and how significant it is in their family and communities back home.”
Sharing about their lives, cultures
Associate head coach Chip Rogers has enjoyed attending the senior center events with the student-athletes.
“I loved that our players had the chance to share their lives,” he said, “and I was very proud to see them so willing and so excited to share.”
Paula Navarro, a senior double major in Business Economics and Psychology who graduates in December, enjoyed participating.
“Getting the chance to talk with the senior citizens and share stories about our backgrounds and culture was truly special. They were so kind and curious, and it meant a lot to see how interested they were in learning more about our lives as student-athletes,” she said.
Navarro, who hails from Barcelona, Spain, intends to pursue a career in strategic consulting where she can combine her analytical skills with her passion for understanding people and problem-solving.
She hopes the community members gained a better understanding of their culture and what it’s like for them to balance school and sports.
“It was really nice to connect across generations and find common ground through our stories,” she said. “I think we all left feeling inspired.”
'a universal language'
When Desmond reached out about having the student-athletes visit the senior center, Rogers said he jumped at the chance.
He appreciates all that Desmond and others in her office do for the field hockey team and other Miami students.
“I think the idea of sharing cultures, learning about life in different parts of the world — and for that matter, even in the USA — is so important to help keep the world a better place. If I can do my small part, I certainly will.”
Twelve international athletes are part of the 26-member field hockey team, which won its 500th all-time game recently. Berta Mata, a graduate student from Barcelona, assisted on the game-winner and scored herself.
“Hockey is a universal language, and we are all together for the common purpose of celebrating this sport and also representing Miami University, which is a global community,” Rogers said.
“I love being a part of this program that is truly a microcosm of Miami,” he said. “We are a group of people joined for a common purpose but yet have the chance to learn from each other.”
Learning new languages
Rogers said he has learned to speak Catalan (spoken in Spain) and Dutch since his time at Miami.
“Just that alone has been a fun journey, and I have learned so much from our international players. It has made this trip for me so amazing.”
He noted that head coach Iñako Puzo has coached at the highest levels in Spain. His international background is a factor in why so many student-athletes have been recruited from overseas.
“Iñako Puzo has made so many connections with people in his career, and through that he has built a program that has fortunately been attractive to players because it is a players-centered approach that challenges them and makes them better players and even better citizens,” Rogers said.
“As a result of the foundation, our outreach to potential students has given us the opportunity to have conversations with top players who bring international experience and are looking for a chance to add to our program.”
Rogers hopes the student-athletes who spoke at the senior center gained confidence in their ability to share their story.
“I hope they realized that we are all a part of a community that strives for global interconnectedness, and that we all can play a role in making this world a better place and that we can all strive to provide solutions for global challenges, together,” he said.
Roberts called it “a wonderful and enriching experience” for everyone involved.
“The international student-athletes bring such unique perspectives, and it’s inspiring to see them proudly share their cultures, languages, and traditions,” she said. “It creates an environment of learning, mutual respect, and appreciation for the diversity that exists within our community.”
Roberts hopes the older adults who attend the events feel a sense of connection and curiosity about the world beyond their immediate surroundings.
“These cultural exchanges remind us that no matter where we come from, we all have stories, traditions, and values worth sharing,” she said. “I also hope it sparks meaningful conversations and a sense of joy in discovering something new together.”
Established in 1809, Miami University is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg. Interested in learning more about Global Initiatives? Visit the website for more information.
