When I committed to Chapman to play women’s water polo, I knew I wanted more than just an athletic experience; I also wanted to study abroad. I wanted to pursue both my academics and athletics without feeling like I had to sacrifice one for the other. Since my water polo season is in the spring, studying abroad during the fall meant I would only miss the preseason, making it the perfect opportunity to spend a semester abroad.
Even knowing that, leaving wasn’t easy. Stepping away from my sport for one semester felt like a huge risk. I worried about losing my endurance and progress I have made over the years. Those thoughts followed me all the way to Cannes, where I spent the semester studying on the southern coast of France. From the beginning, I was determined not to fall behind. Since there wasn’t a water polo team to train with, I created my own routine. After classes ended, I would either head to the campus gym to lift or go to the community pool for a swim. On days when I wasn’t doing either, I loved running through the neighborhoods around my apartment. No matter what I did, I always tried to make a little time for the beach before the sun went down, which was right across the street from campus.
This doesn’t sound bad at all, but I had fallen into a weekly routine that left little room for new and spontaneous adventures, which is what being abroad is all about. Without even realizing it, I had started treating my semester abroad like another season of training. My goal during the first half of the semester wasn’t really to experience Europe; it was to return to Chapman in the same shape as when I left.
Looking back, I had a completely wrong mindset. I had chosen to study abroad to experience a new culture, meet new people, and explore the world. Instead, I was spending so much time thinking about what I might lose that I wasn’t fully appreciating what I had gained by being
there. As the semester went on, that slowly changed. Instead of automatically saying no to plans because I had a workout scheduled, I started making more room for things I couldn’t do at home. I explored neighboring towns, walked through local markets, spent afternoons in hidden coves, and traveled to a new country almost every weekend. A few of my favorites were Türkiye, the Netherlands, and Italy. I still lifted, swam, and ran when I could, but I stopped trying to make every day revolve around staying in shape. I began to realize that missing a workout was not going to undo years of training. Missing the chance to explore a new country with people I had met abroad, however, was something I couldn’t get back.
When I returned to Chapman, I was very happy to see my friends and family. Physically, however, it was a different story. I had lost more endurance than I realized, and the weeks leading up to our season were some of the hardest practices I’d 
experienced in a long time. It was frustrating to feel like I had taken such a big step backward, especially after all the dedication I had put in during the first half of the semester. Thankfully, that feeling didn’t last. As the season went on, my conditioning, endurance, and strength all returned. Those difficult weeks were a small price to pay for everything I had gained from my semester abroad.
When I left for France, I thought my biggest challenge would be staying in shape. Looking back, the bigger challenge was learning to stop worrying about what would happen when I got home and actually enjoy where I was. If I could give one piece of advice to another student-athlete, it would be to simply go abroad. You can always get back in shape and rebuild your endurance. 
What you can’t get back is the opportunity to spend months living in another country, building friendships with people from around the world, and experiencing a completely different way of life.
It is important to prioritize your athletics, but don’t let them become so consuming that you miss the opportunity sitting right in front of you. Studying abroad taught me that sometimes stepping away from something you care about can help you appreciate it even more. I came back out of shape, but I also returned with endless memories that no swim set could have ever given me. Your sport will still be there when you get home, but your chance to study abroad won’t.
Sera Shimakura
Major: Global Communication and World Language (French)
Fall 2025
College International de Cannes, AIFS
