University trio visit Jyväskylä University in Finland for sporty study trip

Two of the University of Northampton’s Sport students recently returned from a two week study trip at Jyväskylä University in Finland.

The winter programme runs in the first two weeks of January and students from all over the world come to learn about the organisation and management of sport in Europe.

This was the first time students from Northampton have participated in the course, and they had opportunity to try a number of winter sports including Nordic skiing, snowboarding and skating as well as attending an ice hockey match at the local stadium.

Dr Jim Lusted, course leader for BA Sport Development and PE and BA/BSc Sport Studies also attended and taught on the programme under an Erasmus+ teaching exchange. He explained: “This was my third visit to Jyväskylä and having students attend the winter programme is a sign that our partnership is strengthening; it was fantastic to see Northampton students engaging in a truly multi-national learning environment, as well as seeing them throw themselves into the winter sports on offer.”

Tayla Mounter, who is studying Sport Studies and Psychology at the University of Northampton, commented: “I would say that my trip to Finland was a great experience and by far one of the best trips of my life. I met lots of new people who I got on really well with and it was great to network and find out about other countries. “

Ruth Chiwara, who is in the third year of the Sports Development programme, enjoyed the experience. She explained: “My trip to Finland was one of the best trips by far. It was good to find out how other country’s sporting organisations work, and the different projects and initiatives used to promote and develop sport.It was a fantastic experience getting to network with others, trying different winter sports and learning about Finnish culture. Given a chance, I would love to go back again and would strongly recommend anyone with the opportunity to go there!“

The University of Northampton’s Sport and Exercise staff team are keen to increase student mobility overseas and hope to see more students take up the opportunity to study abroad in the coming years. Find out more about the University’s Sport courses.

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Pictured: Students and staff on the winter programme. Tayla: ninth from right (blue patterned coat, pink hat). Ruth: second from right (maroon hat, black and white coat).