Poly trio gains Olympic work experience
February 20, 2006 - Posted in Education News, Study AbroadFour Cal Poly students participating in study abroad programs are experiencing the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, with three working at and around the games.
Cal Poly business students Tracy Clarke, Kevin Foley, Katie Grachen and David LaCampagne are attending the University of Turin as part of the Cal Poly study abroad experience. The campus is two blocks from the Olympic Village and the media gathering areas.
All University of Turin students have a two-week break during the games, allowing the local students tremendous freedom.
Clarke is working for NBC assisting in the network’s hockey coverage. Foley is working for the Canadian team as a bartender. And LaCampagne is a volunteer driver for U.S. Olympic Committee members.
“The Olympics are changing the city so much,” Foley wrote the Cal Poly study abroad division in an e-mail. “There are so many new people, and so many new buildings and attractions.
“Yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet and check in with the U.S. ski teams, bobsled teams and skeleton teams. It was a lot of fun meeting and encouraging our team.”
LaCampagne wrote the Cal Poly program about what seems like 1 million more people who have descended on Turin for the games and the effect it was having.
LaCampagne’s job as a driver “has allowed me to transport athletes and USOC members throughout the Olympic venues,” he said. His plan is to mix in the Olympic experience with “lots of traveling and relaxing.”
Monica Schecter, associate director for the Cal Poly study abroad program, said an estimated 700 students annually participate in Cal Poly study abroad programs in 30 countries around the world.