SAAS: Purple Passport Program
WHAT IS THE PURPLE PASSPORT PROGRAM?An all-encompassing program that provides our student-athletes the opportunity to participate in international programs that include study abroad courses, service trips, and foreign tours for teams. We are one of many institutions working to provide opportunities to send student-athletes abroad. Since 2013, 84 student-athletes have participated in study abroad programs and 63 student-athletes have gone on service trips. These programs are greatly strengthened by our relationships with campus departments, including: International Programs and Exchanges, Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity, Anthropology, Classics, and Comparative History of Ideas.
THE VALUE OF STUDYING ABROAD
There are few college experiences more immersive, eye-opening and transformational than studying abroad. Rigorous year-round training schedules make it difficult, if not impossible, for many student-athletes to be away from campus for an entire quarter. These shortened programs allow student-athletes to fulfill their athletic commitments while also getting the opportunity to earn course credits through immersive programming. Studying abroad allows student-athletes to expand their learning outside of a classroom setting and connect with diverse populations. UW student-athletes and staff should expect to experience diverse styles of learning, education and ways of life while developing their character and leadership skills.
STUDYING ABROAD: WHERE WE HAVE GONE
- FRENCH POLYNESIA: Students learn qualitative research methods that allow them to analyze and compare Pacific Islander cultures in two locations – French Polynesia, where students can consider the ways that colonialism influences culture, and Seattle, a venue for students to consider how issues of migration impact culture and identity.
- ROME: Introduces students to the cultures of Sport and Spectacle of ancient Rome. Students stay in Rome and study at the University of Washington’s Rome Center for ten days over spring break. There is one overnight trip to the sites of Paestum, Pompeii, and Capua, and a day trip to Etruria, home of the Etruscans and likely birthplace of gladiatorial events.
- JAPAN: This is a non-paid internship through Sports Camp of America that is held in the mountains outside of Tokyo. This summer camp lets Japanese and international elementary and junior high students experience American culture through playing sports and cheer as well as other camp activities with American camp counselors. Airfare, food, lodging and transportation to the camp are covered along with lodging while sightseeing in Tokyo.
- HAWAII: Students will access Pacific Islander forms of knowledge that comes from storytelling and experiential learning. This trip will allow students to engage with and learn from community members who practice and safeguard knowledge that has been passed down for generations.
- AMSTERDAM: In partnership with the Comparative History of Ideas department, students examined tolerance, identity, and difference in Amsterdam and contextualized debates about the place of religion, race, gender and sexuality.
- GHANA: In partnership with the Education department, UW student-athletes travelled to the city of Accra and immersed themselves in the local culture, language and rich history. Students experienced a crash course in Pan-Africanism and its impact on Black people across the world.
- COSTA RICA: The UW team built a court for a small indigenous community in the heart of the Nicoya Peninsula, while experiencing traditions and learning the history of one of the healthiest communities in the world.
- PERU: The 800 community members were proud owners of a court to practice sports such as soccer, basketball and volleyball, as well as an area to serve as a community gathering place for meetings and celebrations.
- CAMBODIA: UW student-athletes and staff built a multipurpose sport court at a school in the Run Rueng community, while immersing themselves in the Cambodian culture and learning about their history.
- DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: The small community of Bartolome offered incredible hospitality and shared cultural traditions with our staff and students, all while working together to build the sports court.
- GUATEMALA: UW student-athletes and staff worked alongside members of the Chuilacruz community to build a multipurpose sports court for community gatherings and safe play spaces for the children.
- Hau’oli Kikaha - Football (2010 - 2014): “I learned a lot about the culture -- and about myself. I had to represent myself, my language, my culture alone, autonomously, in this special place so far removed from my everyday life. This was a huge defining experience for me. It made me happy, fulfilled to be around these people who let me into their world.”
- Krista Vansant - Volleyball (2011 - 2015): “The trip to French Polynesia was such an eye opening experience for me. To get to see the other side of life, besides the touristic part, was unbelievable. The kids and the people were so happy with so little and it showed me that it doesn’t take material things to be happy. I loved every second of being there and learning their culture.”
- Shannon Simon - Women’s Soccer (2014 - 2018): “Getting the opportunity to study abroad [in Rome] was beyond my expectations and an experience I would recommend to any and every person. Going abroad gave me the opportunity to meet people of different backgrounds, pushed my personal comfort zone, and taught me lessons that books just can't provide.”
For questions about the Purple Passport Program, please contact Corrine Hay, Associate Director of Learning Resources (hayc25@uw.edu).
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MAILING ADDRESS | |
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University of Washington Student-Athlete Academic Services
Box 354070 Seattle, WA 98195-4070 |
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ACKERLEY ACADEMIC CENTER HOURS | |
Monday-Thursday: 8:00am - 7:00pm Friday: 8:00am - 5:00pm Saturday & Sunday: Closed |
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