Kent Sport asked why sport matters. Viola Siggie submitted one of the winning entries and this is her story.
Viola is a third year Psychology exchange student from Germany who is at Kent until April 2014.
She saw our competition on Facebook and wrote “ When University life starts everything is new, lots of new people, new way of living and maybe also a new way of working. But one thing still remains – YOUR SPORT. Whether you stick to your sport or are trying something for the first time, sport is the best way to settle down, get to know people and have fun. It is the best balance for university courses and stress you have to deal with. That’s why sport matters to me. As an exchange student it is the best way to just drop into the English way of life and get to know people.”
When Viola joined Kent Sport on arriving at Kent University, she tried out the different fitness and dance classes and joined the tennis club, getting into the tennis second team.
Viola is very impressed by the sports facilities at Kent, especially the Indoor Tennis Centre, as they do not have sports facilities on campus at her University in Germany. She commented that it was great that the University recognised the importance of sport to students in helping them settle in and make friends and enhance the university experience.
We wish Viola every success for the future.
It is obvious sport matters to all those who provided feedback and has helped to change their lives for the better. Furthermore recent research by BUCS proved that sport has a positive impact on graduate employability and shows the current average salary of graduates who engaged in sport is £32,552 compared with £26,728 for those who do not.
More than just earning power the study shows 51% of graduates say sporting involvement has helped them develop teamwork skills and leadership qualities in the workplace.
See how sport can change your life by joining Kent Sport. Find out more about our facilities and activities and how to join at www.kent.ac.uk/sports and for membership details see www.kent.ac.uk/sports/memberships. To keep up to date with Kent Sport news, events, competitions and special offers, Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (UniKentSports).