SMA ACT Executive Officer, Trish Donoghue travelled to Japan on November 12 to celebrate the 5^th year anniversary and visit a number of other Universities who have a strong commitment to international exchange programs within the sport related field.

2007 saw the start of an exciting new intercultural exchange program between students from Fukuyama Heisei University in Japan, and SMA-ACT Branch. The program was established to assist students studying within the sports medicine industry, with the opportunity to travel to Australia to broaden their course learning outcomes, teaching curriculum and encourage student international experience, exposing them to the resources and professionals which SMA and Australia has to offer.

SMA ACT President, Peter Garbutt says the program highlights the wealth of resources which Canberra has to offer and provides an opportunity for Japanese students to study sports medicine from a different perspective whilst experiencing Australian culture and language.

“Students travelling so far to take part in our program reaffirms Sports Medicine Australia’s reputation as a world leader in terms of injury prevention initiatives and courses,” said Mr Garbutt.

Hiroshi Yoshikawa, President, American Dream, Inc. is the coordinator of the exchange in Japan and said, “It was indeed very nice to have SMA visit Hiroshima, Japan! The visit has given us many positive impacts to strengthen a link between SMA and Universities here in Hiroshima.”

“First of all, the president and vice president of Fukuyama Heisei University were very impressed by the visit and, the president mentioned that the program with SMA is the best as regards to the contents, preparation and hands on approach based on students’ needs among other programs that are offered at the University. In addition, at Fukuyama Heisei University, two athletes who participated in the lecture given by Trish Donoghue, who were in Japanese Olympics team, were enthusiastic enough to chase her back to the faculty room to ask some more questions.”

Whilst in Japan two other Universities which were visited also expressed very warm welcome from SMA, particularly Hiroshima University of Economics noting that the timing was exactly right for their students. This University has just started a new program, “Sports Management” and is eager to offer their students with the opportunity to participate in future exchanges.

Students travelling so far to take part in our program reaffirms Sports Medicine Australia’s reputation as a world leader in terms of injury prevention initiatives and courses. The objective of the program is to extend the number of universities which offer students the chance to take part in this exchange, exposing them to a program which promotes cooperation and collaboration within the sports medicine industry.

The program is more that just being in another culture, it provides students with a different perspective extending their learning and life skills whilst showcasing Australian education, learning resources, facilities and opportunities.

Correspondence: trish.donoghue@sma.org.au