TACOMA, Wash. — Pacific Lutheran University volleyball student-athlete Jessica Herklotz wrapped up her senior season on the court in the fall and over J-Term spent the month in a study away opportunity through the nursing program in Oaxaca, Mexico.

As a nursing student, Herklotz thought her chances of being able to study away had vanished, but in 2023, PLU offered their first nursing trip to Oaxaca, Mexico.

Over the course of the term, the group studying away in Oaxaca did a little bit of everything. They did a lot of the touristy activities in the area, but the main objective of the trip was to examine the culture of the area, how people there lived, and how their lifestyles affected the population's health. Access to water, the food they eat, and what kind of work they do can play into the health of the population.

  "We did health fairs where we were able to help over two-hundred people. It was really basic screening stuff like taking blood pressure, [checking] blood sugar, testing eyes, but it was incredibly impactful for some of those people who don't have access to health care." Herklotz stated.

Herklotz can't recommend enough taking advantage of the study away opportunity as a student-athlete at PLU.

"I think it's really easy to be an athlete and only be an athlete and I feel like that's kind of stripping yourself of so many experiences that you get, especially at PLU where study abroad connections are everywhere. If you get the chance, it's such an eye opening experience and it makes your time at PLU a bit more special."

Although it may be hard to find a lot of time to train while studying away, Herklotz can reassure you that you can make it work if you make the effort.

"I feel like because it's such a short trip, it's worth taking some time out of my life here to go. If I was training for volleyball, I still totally would have gone because there's always time if you make time. It would have probably just been HIIT workouts or going on a run in the morning, but there's time if you make it."

Being a student-athlete and having to decide which of your priorities come first in respect to your sport can be challenging, but a life changing experience may just be worth a full semester or J-term pause from your sport.

"Being somebody that had to figure out how to not be an athlete and then coming back into that world, I'm very grateful for my time away from sports because I feel like I wouldn't have learned a lot of things about myself if I didn't get that. So if you have the chance to study away, even if it's just a two week J-term, I feel like that's such a good chance to learn about yourself, other cultures, and kind of take yourself out of this athlete role that you've been in for so long just for a couple weeks and it is totally worth the experience. It might be hard to train, it might be hard to get out of practice, but if it's at all possible, it's life changing."