Submitted by Tory Engel on the 2016 summer session program in Brazil sponsored by the Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition…
Rio de Janeiro, home of the 2016 Olympic games! Even with all the worries and doubts that came with the games, the city is ready for them. Just like all games in the past, there is a last minute panic that comes with the burden of building multiple stadiums for multiple sports. The stadiums look amazing, with thousands of seats and security checkpoints. Not only that, but the transportation system is set up well and navigates us smoothly from the Olympic park to Copacabana in less than an hour. This experience is without a doubt one that I will remember forever.
From the moment the opening ceremony began, the history of the country was shown in full light. Being able to connect what my classmates and I have been learning to what was being shown through the ceremony was truly great.
One of the biggest takeaways that I have so far, is learning so much about each of these sports. Almost everyone takes time out of their day to tune into the large sports such as swimming, athleticism and soccer, but not to look into smaller sports that are still astounding to watch.
Handball is a sport that is not greatly popular in the United States, but is played in gym classes usually at the high school level. There are intricate rules and explosive plays. Through the classes here, we were able to see this sport played first hand and it was one of the most interesting things I have ever seen in my life. The speed that these players need is intense and the fans are even more intense. In the stands, I coincidentally was sitting next to a German handball player who was able to assist in explaining how things worked on the court and many other facts about the sport.
Outside of the games, the city is decorated in the local culture through street art. The environment is so artistic and friendly throughout the city. Every wall seems to have a form of art on whether it be hand painted, spray paint or a mosaic on the walls. Experiencing the culture through the art that is displayed everywhere helps one to understand the history of the area by looking at the paintings.
It seems as if the weeks have flown by so quickly, but I have learned so much from this experience and I am excited to share more about everything that has occurred.