BA Plus Alumnus Returns to Ohio University for Graduate Studies

It’s been a short stint in Germany for BA Plus Alumnus René Grzona. After finishing his BA Plus journey in September 2014, René successfully underwent knee surgery in December, finished his remaining classes by February, completed his BA thesis on “Academic Alienation–The Commercialization of Intercollegiate Athletics” in July, and is back at Ohio University since early August to attend graduate school there. 

We asked him to talk a little bit about how things have worked out for him:

Athens must have been the right place at the right time when I arrived in January 2014. I had lots of positive experiences and built the foundation for what I am doing right now – pursuing a Master of Science in Sport Pedagogy/Coaching Education and being a Graduate Assistant (GA) for International Student and Faculty Services (ISFS). I am back in Athens since early August and it was quite a journey, but who cares I made it 

Home base at ISFS

Right now we are several weeks into the fall semester and I found my work rhythm. My academic workload includes 6 classes and in addition I average 20 hours of work for ISFS. I usually get up by 7AM and be back home around 8PM, which is absolutely fine since I am spending a lot of time in one of my two offices – yes, I have two! One serves as my home base within the ISFS, where I can get most of my work done. The the second office is an open space office of the International Student Union (ISU), where I have office hours.

The COED classes cover a variety of topics including coaching foundations, ethics in sports, management and leadership in sports, teaching games, and performance evaluation. We have seminars, lectures and play around in Walter Field House/Ping Center, for example, when learning how to teach a variety of youth games. It is a lot of work in terms of assignments and readings but also a lot of fun!

Group picture of the ISU Welcome Picnic

The tasks for ISFS include assisting ISFS with various programs and services for international students. In addition, I co-advise the ISU Executive Board and facilitate leadership development opportunities for the ISU executives and member organizations. To give you an idea, two weeks ago I was in charge of organizing a Welcome Picnic for the incoming international students. I planned the event for 200 students and had to make reservations for venue, tables, chairs, catering, and also dealt with lots of paperwork regarding permissions to serve food, catering exemptions and so on. Nevertheless, it was a success!

Now I look forward to see Prof. Garrett again on September 30, 2015 when we will both be speaking at Ohio University’s 25 Years of German Reunification event, which the German Consul General from Chicago, Herbert Quelle, will also attend. 

Me and a fellow student at the ISU Welcome Picnic

In conclusion, people nowadays debate whether the American Dream is still alive – if you ask me I’d say: Yes, without a doubt. When I look back and think about the BA Plus application I wrote back in Leipzig, I still remember Al Davis’ philosophy: “Commitment to Excellence”, which pretty much became my application motto back then. I promised to be as excellent as possible when given the opportunity to participate in the BA Plus program. Fortunately, American Studies Leipzig believed in me and sent me to Athens, Ohio. I can’t stress this enough – without American Studies Leipzig and the DAAD all of this would not have been possible. Therefore, I am forever grateful!