Imogen Dawson, a student at the University of Kent, studying for a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science, recently undertook a placement at the University of Pittsburgh in the USA.
Sam was selected by the IUSCA, as part of our USA Volunteer Placement program, after demonstrating excellent interpersonal skills and dedication to the S&C profession.
The placement consisted of 7 weeks in Pittsburgh, PA, where Imogen worked alongside industry leading coaches and athletes within the Pitt sports department.
“My personal highlight was working alongside the best coaches and athletes. They made me feel so welcome and learnt so much. It was the best thing I've ever done” said Imogen.
Imogen found the experience extremely beneficial and learnt a huge amount about the real-world of S&C, “I have never felt so welcomed in a new workplace before, I was able to soak up so much information and gain a ton of hands on experience. It was the experience of a lifetime."
The IUSCA Volunteer Placement’s provide a unique and rewarding experience for students, that offer an unrivalled opportunity for CV and career development. "We created these experiences to give exceptional students from the UK the opportunity to see what it is like in some of the best sports performance environments in the world. There is nothing quite like the NCAA Division 1 sports setting, where the coaching, facilities, and training culture are unmatched anywhere in the world."
Stephanie Mock, Director of Sports Performance at Pitt explained why the program has been a success for them, "Imogen was a really awesome addition to our volunteer staff. She had a great personality and brought lots of enthusiasm to the role. We have loved this collaboration with the IUSCA, helping bring over some of the best young students from the UK."
A further benefit of these placements being overseas is that students are able to experience the different culture in the USA. This can mean sharing in the celebration of American traditions, such as the 4th of July, or by making lifelong friends with people in another part of the world.
“It was my birthday during the Independence Day celebrations, which was an amazing experience. We got to hangout with all of the other American interns and staff and I made some great friends that I will keep in contact with. Hopefully I will be able to return to the US at some point in the future”
To find out more about IUSCA Placements, please click on the link below or email placements@iusca.org
