International exchange program shaping up

James Mack just got back from
Hungary and he’s in the best shape of his
life.

After spending a full semester at the
Hungarian University of Physical
Education — as the first Douglas
College student to participate at the new
exchange program — Mack is full of
nothing but praise for the demanding
course.

“Expectations are very high there,” he
stresses. “The equal emphasis on physical
and mental fitness means there’s not a
moment to relax.”

In Hungary, it is a very, very big deal
to get into the University of Physical
Education — a source of national pride,
in fact. Students and teachers alike
(including the coach for the Hungarian
Olympic track team) were proud to
welcome Mack, an all-around athlete who
came all the way from Canada’s west
coast to study with them.

Physical Education Coordinator Gert
Van Niekerk points out that Mack’s
ambition and enthusiasm were part of
what made him a great ambassador, for
both Douglas College and the exchange
program itself. “If future participants are
as positive and enthusiastic as he is, we
should have no problem expanding this
program.”

Van Niekerk adds that there are plans
to expand the Hungarian exchanges to
involve two students per year, and to get
faculty members and coaches in on the
program. Pushing even farther east, a
three-way Masters-level arrangement with
a university in Taiwan is also under
consideration. And down under,
discussions are underway for yet another
exchange with Australia’s National
Coaching Institute.

Despite the hard work, Mack vouches
for the value of international exchanges,
rating his experience as “‘awesome.” He
was extremely impressed with the
Hungarian faculty he worked with, who
were “phenomenal: well-trained, most of
them with PhDs.” Mack also learned a lot
from their focus on testing in athletic
training, something which has really
improved his mental awareness.

Mack’s nine-course load included one
Hungarian language course, although the
bulk of courses in the international
program were taught in English. In his few
spare hours, he ran and cycled his way

around the historic city of Budapest, and
tested the waters of its famous swimming
pools.

Now back full-time at the New
Westminster Campus, Mack is adding to
his completed transfer credits in order to
pursue Human Kinetics at UBC. His
immediate goals include maintaining his
current fitness levels by applying
everything he learned during his semester
away. But he shouldn’t have anything to
worry about — for Mack and the Phys Ed
international exchange program, the
future is definitely shaping up as a
success.

 

University transfer student James Mack is back on campus after a rewarding fall
semester spent at the Hungarian University of Physical Education in Budapest.