Learning Hands On in South Korea
Twenty-eight Shenandoah University students and five faculty and staff members traveled to the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, from January 31 to February 27!
When a student goes for an interview and they can talk about their experience at the Olympics, it sets them apart from other individuals. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that and lead to many other opportunities in the future.”
—Fritz Polite | Trip Leader, Sport Management Professor
Homecoming
Team USA-SU returned to Virginia from the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea on Feb. 27, after performing almost a month of volunteer work at the winter games.
Still Buzzin'
Learn a little Korean, and follow Team U.S.A.-S.U. during its on-and-off hours as its members volunteer at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.
Swarming South Korea
Travel with Team USA-SU as they head to a war memorial, the DMZ, and so much more on their day off from volunteering at the Winter Olympics
Team USA-SU at the Olympics
Shenandoah University volunteers are making a difference at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.
The Work Begins!
Watch as the delegation from Shenandoah University to the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang South Korea, settle into their official duties.
Hello from the Other Side
Join Shenandoah University's Winter Olympic volunteers as they travel to South Korea and begin the process of settling into an almost month-long stay.
The Take Off
The trip to South Korea began early on Jan. 31 for the Shenandoah students and faculty members volunteering at this year's Winter Olympic Games. Spirits were high at Dulles International Airport as the group prepared to board their flight and embark on an experience of a lifetime.
Winter Olympics Send-off
Twenty-eight SU students and five faculty and staff members will travel to the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, from January 31 to February 27!
Team USA-SU!
Shenandoah University, in conjunction with the Korean Olympic Committee, volunteered in the operations and execution of the 2018 Olympic/Paralympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea. Sport Management, Business, and Mass Communications students got to see the Winter Olympics in a unique way that most people will never get to experience and gain valuable knowledge of a major international sporting event. Lessons such as event planning, event management, cultural understanding, marketing, and more were taught to the students through class discussions and this intimate first-hand experience.
SU at the 2018 Winter Olympics | PyeongChang, South Korea
News From the Olympics Team
Last Day in Korea
Our original work schedule had us working through the last day of the Olympics (which happens to be today, Sunday, February 25). However, about five days ago we were presently surprised to learn that ... Continue Reading Last Day in Korea
A Day in Sokcho
Today marked our final scheduled day off. In my last blog, I reported we were offered free tickets to see figure skating and various hockey events. Unfortunately, those tickets didn’t come through; ... Continue Reading A Day in Sokcho
Seoul Tripping 2.0
Today was our fourth day off and we boarded a bus again for another day trip to Seoul. We met our tour guide Jessica who has been with us for our three days of touring. First stop was the Namsan Seoul ... Continue Reading Seoul Tripping 2.0
Meet Team USA-SU!
All members of the SU team will be working in the Alpensia Biathlon Centre.
Not only will students be participating in one of the greatest international events, but they’ll also be working alongside volunteers from all over the world. After spending nearly one month away from campus, living among an international community and managing their course work at a distance during these four weeks, students will be prepared for almost any work situation or challenge after they graduate!"
—Fritz Polite | Trip Leader, Sport Management Professor
The group will work at the Alpensia Biathlon Center in various roles.
Biathlon Athlete Compound Team
This team will support event management in the athlete area of the Centre—guiding athletes, maintaining facilities, etc.
- Jana Mangubat '19
- Malik Henry ’19
- Courtney Hodges '20
Biathlon Office Team
This team will support the administrative needs of the Biathlon.
- Theresa Golding
- Gustavo Gonzalez '20
- Kaelyn Larry '21
- Jared Lowry ’20
Biathlon Rifle Storage Team
This team will support the Biathlon's safety and security checks and support patrol works to prevent fire, lost, damage, and illegal activities.
- Sally Hamilton
- Jenna Rampale '18
- Aubree Carrasquillo '20
- Kelley Wyatt '18
Biathlon Stadium Support Team
This team will support overall stadium works—installing protection board and fencing, control spectators' entry, etc.
- Fritz Polite
- Gina Daddario
- Dan Kaseman
- Casey Edsall ’16, ’18
- Damon Mackin '18
- Dallas Cornell '21
- Mariah Graves ’20
- Michael Nguyen ’19
- Edwin Ortega '20
- Tyler Pavlock '21
- Michael Plath '19
- Madeline Price '21
- Xavior Williams '18
- Emily Fields '19
- Natalie Fyock '21
- Tyler Ganis '20
- Brigitte “Kit” Gould ’18
- Bruce Hoffman '21
- Bradley Hoffman '20
- Karl Hutchinson '21
- Tyler Kilimonis '21
- Joshua Taylor '20
Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Trips
The university’s Global Experiential Learning (GEL) program offers Shenandoah students a short-term, faculty-led, study-abroad experience for academic credit. Since the program’s inception in 2000, students have traveled to approximately 30 nations, including Argentina, China, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Russia, Spain and Thailand. The GEL program aims to make the world a learning laboratory for students, providing deep exploration into individual fields of study, the opportunity to understand where the United States fits in terms of the world viewpoint, and the ability to enhance skills in cultural sensitivity, flexibility, and capability to adjust and adapt.
This month-long academic experience fulfills an experiential learning requirement within the undergraduate business program, and for MBA students, it meets the restricted elective component of the graduate program. College of Arts and Sciences students are taking this trip as an elective for the mass communication major or minor.
The School of Business was honored and excited to be a part of the Olympic Games. This was a unique experience for our students to take their learning beyond the classroom and apply it within a multicultural context.”
—Miles Davis | Former Business School Dean
Just being around the athletes and being able to talk to them, the coaches, and even interacting with other Korean volunteers and army personnel we are working with has been so cool. The other day I even got to meet and talk with Mike Schwartz from NBC news about his winter Olympic experiences.”
—Brad Hoffman '20, Business Administration
This experience has been humbling as to how blessed we are as Americans."
—Casey Edsall ’16, ’18, Business Administration & MBA
I think the coolest thing I’ve seen so far has to be the training for the Biathlon and all the athletes. I couldn’t tell you who they are, but just seeing all of them in action is pretty exciting. Normally I’m at home watching on the television but to actually be here in person is so different and thrilling. Once in a lifetime,” “Thrilling,” “Humbling,” “Unforgettable,” “Exhilarating.”
—Kit Gould '18, Sport Management
I have met so many amazing people during this experience, from my fellow volunteers, to some Olympic athletes. It is a blessing to be here. Shout out to Dr. Fritz Polite, The Korean Olympics Committee, Shenandoah University, and lately, my amazing mother, Tonya Mackin, for making this opportunity possible for me.”
—Damon Macon '18, Mass Communications