The Wave Down Under: Australia Study Abroad 2023
Jul 24, 2023 | General, SAAC
NEW ORLEANS – The Tulane University Athletics Department took 66 student-athletes to the Land Down Under this summer for a study abroad experience across Australia. The student-athletes were given the opportunity to explore a variety of Australian landmarks while also participating in lectures and training sessions to learn about the different sports and cultural experiences.
"This opportunity to take student-athletes abroad to Australia was truly once-in-a-lifetime," Assistant Athletic Director of Student-Athlete Enhancement Dr. Jada Buckner said. "Some of our student-athletes had never been out of the country so this trip allowed them to engage in a new culture and learn from experts in the sporting world that they may never have known otherwise. We are confident the connections made will be long lasting for the Tulane Athletics family. We can't say thank you enough to the Glazers for their generous support in making this possible. Finally, a huge thank you to Dr. Adams, the Athletic Department, and entire institution for everyone's support and efforts throughout the entirety of this outstanding initiative!"
Tulane Faculty Athletics Representative Dr. Michele Adams taught all of the student-athletes on the trip in a sociology of sport class. The topics included in the course were the relationship between sports, socialization, ideology, sports and totemism, the organization of sports, and the economics of sports. The study abroad adaptation of the class focused on comparing the social culture of sport in the United States with that of Australia including the opportunities for social issue engagement afforded to Australian athletes.
Â
Beyond their classes with Dr. Adams the Green Wave student-athletes toured three of the major cities across Australia making stops in Sydney, Cairns, and Melbourne. The student-athletes got the chance to see significant landmarks in each city including the Sydney Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef, and Queen Victoria Markets. The study abroad experience would not be complete for student-athletes without stops and tours of the Sydney Olympic Park and Melbourne Cricket Ground as well as a rugby match in Sydney and an AFL Cairns game.
"This opportunity to take student-athletes abroad to Australia was truly once-in-a-lifetime," Assistant Athletic Director of Student-Athlete Enhancement Dr. Jada Buckner said. "Some of our student-athletes had never been out of the country so this trip allowed them to engage in a new culture and learn from experts in the sporting world that they may never have known otherwise. We are confident the connections made will be long lasting for the Tulane Athletics family. We can't say thank you enough to the Glazers for their generous support in making this possible. Finally, a huge thank you to Dr. Adams, the Athletic Department, and entire institution for everyone's support and efforts throughout the entirety of this outstanding initiative!"
Tulane Faculty Athletics Representative Dr. Michele Adams taught all of the student-athletes on the trip in a sociology of sport class. The topics included in the course were the relationship between sports, socialization, ideology, sports and totemism, the organization of sports, and the economics of sports. The study abroad adaptation of the class focused on comparing the social culture of sport in the United States with that of Australia including the opportunities for social issue engagement afforded to Australian athletes.
Â
Beyond their classes with Dr. Adams the Green Wave student-athletes toured three of the major cities across Australia making stops in Sydney, Cairns, and Melbourne. The student-athletes got the chance to see significant landmarks in each city including the Sydney Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef, and Queen Victoria Markets. The study abroad experience would not be complete for student-athletes without stops and tours of the Sydney Olympic Park and Melbourne Cricket Ground as well as a rugby match in Sydney and an AFL Cairns game.
Sydney
Sydney Opera House
Rugby Match: Manly Sea Eagles vs. Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | Rugby Lecture
Sydney Olympic ParkÂ
ICMS Lectures
Cricket NSW Facility Tour
Sydney Recap
Cairns
Great Barrier Reef
AFL Cairns Indigenous Round: Cairns City Lions vs. North Cairns Tigers | AFL Cairns Stadium Tour
Indigenous Experience
Cairns Recap
Melbourne
Melbourne Cricket Ground Tour
Queen Victoria Markets
Healesville Sanctuary
Melbourne Recap
What our student-athletes are saying about the trip:
This experience has honestly been life changing. Being someone that grew up without a lot of money and resources with me and my brother struggling to now being halfway around the world, meeting new people, and living a dream."  – Football Student-Athlete
"Gratitude to be a part of the Tulane Athletics program. Gratitude for the staff and all their hard work in planning. I will not take advantage of the ability to play athletics in college; an experience that isn't available in other countries. I will take away the bond and relationships that I have formed here during my time abroad and be closer to my fellow student-athletes in New Orleans." – Women's Beach Volleyball Student-Athlete
"I will always hold this experience dear to my heart. I don't think I will ever do a trip like this again. I learned so much from traveling with our department. I have made friends, learned about cool Olympic plans, and went to see so many cool landmarks. I have appreciated every aspect of this experience and I will value my memories forever." – Women's Bowling Student-Athlete
"I met so many athletes. It was so much fun getting to know everyone on the trip. Also, learning new things everyday was amazing. I am very close with a lot of athletes now." – Men's Tennis Student-Athlete
"I just want to thank all the people that helped make the trip happen. It was definitely worthwhile, and I would do it 100 times over if I could." – Football Student-Athlete
SWIBC II
Sunday, October 05
SWIBC I
Sunday, October 05
Postgame: HC Jon Sumrall, DL Santana Hopper, RB Javin Gordon
Sunday, September 28
Press Conference: MBB Ron Hunter - 9/23/25
Tuesday, September 23
