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Community Teaching & Learning

UR around the world: from Greece to Nunavut

10 October 2023
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Athens, Greece 

In August, the University of Regina Cougars women’s basketball team traveled to Athens, Greece to play five exhibition games against high-level National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) teams (Arkansas, Baylor, Florida State, Rutgers, and Washington State). 

We pride ourselves on a good student-athlete experience in our program. — Michaela Kleisinger, Assistant Coach 

A unique highlight of the trip was playing in Giannis Antetokounmpo’s hometown gym. Antetokounmpo is a Greek-Nigerian basketball player, originally from Athens, who now plays in the NBA for the Milwaukee Bucks. 

“Playing in Giannis’ gym felt very historic,” says Brenna Metz, 3rd year team member. “You saw the pictures of him and the quotes everywhere. You got to see where a champion and a great athlete was built and how he came from this place.” 

“We pride ourselves on a good student-athlete experience in our program – have them see the world, which lots of them hadn’t done,” says Michaela Kleisinger, Assistant Coach.

Iqaluit, Nunavut 

Three team members, Jade Belmore (wing), Ryenn Schutz (forward), and Cara Misskey (guard), also traveled to Iqualuit to work with some young basketball players as they developed their skills.

Three people standing outside with ice and snow around them
Jade Belmore, Ryenn Schutz, and Cara Misskey in Iqaluit, Nunavut. Photo credit: Nunavut Basketball Association.

The teammates taught basketball in school gym classes and ran a weekend basketball clinic. This gave the youth an opportunity to sharpen their skills as a buildup toward a three-on-three tournament. The tournament had a division for kids in grades 6 to 9, and another for grades 9 to 12. 

The Iqaluit clinic was organized by the Nunavut Basketball Association as part a larger effort to increase interest in basketball across the territory. 

Hands-on learning opportunities

While these trips were connected to University of Regina Athletics, many students travel abroad while obtaining credit towards their program! For more information visit UR International’s Study Abroad and Global Mobility Office. They offer a variety of programs ranging in length from one week to one year.

Not sure where to begin? The Centre for Experiential and Service Learning at the U of R will work with you to identify your career, academic, and personal goals and discover hands-on learning opportunities both in and outside of the classroom.

 Banner photo credit: Nunavut Basketball Association

About the University of Regina

Set in the heart of the Canadian prairies we are a comprehensive, mid-sized university where the opportunities are as limitless as the horizon. Our campuses are on Treaty 4 and 6 - the territories of the nêhiyawak, Anihšināpēk, Dakota, Lakota, and Nakoda peoples, and the homeland of the Michif/Métis nation. It is our responsibility to strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities to build a more inclusive future for all. Our three federated colleges, 10 faculties, 25 academic departments, and 18 research centres foster innovative research with practical and theoretical applications. We are committed to cultivating the potential of our 16,000 students and supporting their health and well-being. We take learning beyond the classroom through work and volunteer experiences to develop career-ready graduates.

Let’s go far, together.

See the Cougars women’s basketball team in action!

Check out their schedule here.