Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 11 No. 3 | January 2019

inside.hokiesports.com 21 Two former Virginia Tech student-athletes have found a way to continue playing the sports they love while studying abroad and pursuing master’s degrees. The University of Nottingham, located in Nottingham, England, is now the home to Cara Cunningham, a former volleyball student-athlete, and Haley Lukefahr, a former lacrosse student-athlete, and allows both the opportunity to extend their athletics careers while furthering their education and living internationally. This university, the first ever global university with campuses in the United Kingdom, China and Malaysia, serves about 34,000 students, a portion of whom are part of the “performance sports” program—the equivalent to a collegiate varsity athletics team in the United States. The University of Nottingham, home to a new sports complex, stands as the largest sports hall in Europe, houses thousands of student-athletes from all over the world each year, two of whom are Hokies. Cunningham and Lukefahr answered a few questions about their experiences: Q: How did you learn about the opportunity to continue playing your sport at Nottingham? CC: “During my junior year, I had the opportunity to play on a volleyball tour in Italy over winter break with other college volleyball players. On the trip, I met one of my now closest friends who, at the time, was earning her master’s in England while playing. As I learned more about the potential of continuing my education while also continuing to play the sport I love, it became clear that this was where I was meant to be. I considered several different schools and programs and eventually saw that Nottingham was the place for me.” HL: “As some college seniors panic because they don’t know what their next step in life might be, which is totally okay, I got the idea of wanting to ‘study abroad’ and possibly get my master’s. My mom’s side of the family is fromEngland, and they still live over there, so the idea of being close to my family sparked my interest. I used to play for the England Women’s National Team, so I contacted the head coach to see if he knew of any programs, and he got me in touch with a few universities that offer a master’s program with either playing or coaching.” Q: How did your time as a student-athlete at Virginia Tech help prepare you for your academics and athletics requirements at Nottingham? CC: “Being a collegiate athlete at Virginia Tech equippedme in countless ways for my academics and athletics requirements at the University of Nottingham. I learned the invaluable skill of time management and prioritization. The rigors of balancing athletics and academics for four years made my transition extremely smooth. Furthermore, at Virginia Tech, I truly learned what it means to work hard and push myself in ways I never thought I could. That drive has enabled me to be successful in England and will continue to open doors in the future. Another element I carry from Blacksburg is the value of community and open-mindedness. It was intimidating moving to another country knowing close to no one. However, the people I’ve met in my time here are absolutely wonderful, and it’s been an incredible experience learning about their backgrounds as well as sharing mine.” HL: “Virginia Tech really helped me with time management and discipline. Sports in England are not as demanding, but being a student- athlete at Virginia Tech taught me how to be a mentor to the younger players on my team and to work hard and be disciplined in everything from not talking while the coach is talking to jogging between drills instead of walking.” Two former TECH student-athletes continuing playing careers and education abroad by Natalie Forbes Senior Director, Student-Athlete Development Q: How do you plan to use this experience to shape your future? CC: “My subject of study, business analytics, is in high demand, as business practices and technologies continue to advance. I’m looking forward to leveraging my degree in this space and seeing what opportunities may come from this. Additionally, I’m hoping that earning my degree from a school abroad may open up some international career opportunities.” HL: “This program will help shape my future by getting me more international experience and helping me better understand other cultures.” Q: How has your overall experience at Nottingham been? CC: “I have never been happier. Nottingham is a wonderful place to be. The city is awesome, the surrounding area and location are great, and the people are a joy to know. I’d encourage anyone and everyone to consider studying and/or living abroad. I have grown tremendously as a student, athlete, and even more so as a person because of it.” HL: “So far, this experience has been absolutely incredible, better than I imagined. I have met so many amazing people, traveled to places that I never thought I would have been able to travel to, and spent time with my family that I don’t get to see very often. I am so excited to go back for the spring term and to continue making memories along the way.” Cunningham and Lukefahr are both currently in their first years at the University of Nottingham. Upon graduation, Cunningham hopes to play professional volleyball for a few years before pursuing a career in business analytics, and Lukefahr hopes to pursue a career in medical or pharmaceutical sales. Former Tech lacrosse player Haley Lukefahr is still playing, only these days, at the University of Nottingham in England, where she also is pursuing a master’s degree.