'It's Going to be Colder Than San Diego': Pre-Transition Experiences of American Postgraduate Athletes at One British University

Authors

• Pete Schroeder, University of the PacificFollow
• Lara Killick, California State Polytechnic University, PomonaFollow

Abstract

Athlete migration is a visible element of the sport-globalization nexus. At the intercollegiate level, a new migration pattern has recently emerged. Numerous British universities are recruiting American postgraduate athletes for a variety of sports. International athlete migration has been examined using the cultural transition model (CTM) (Ryba et al., 2016). CTM features three phases that profile the developmental tracks migrant athletes experience in a new culture. This study used CTM to qualitatively explore the pre-transition experiences of American postgraduate athletes. Nineteen Americans playing at one British university were interviewed prior to the 2022-23 academic year. Data were recorded, transcribed, and interpreted using thematic analysis (Braun & Clark, 2006). Results indicate that American postgraduates found multiple paths to pre-transition. Once there, they collected knowledge, executed developmental tasks, and psychosocially prepared for migration. They described pre-transition as emotional phase but found numerous layers of support. These results reflect much of the research using CTM but add depth and unique elements to the pre-transition phase. The study offers resultant recommendations for prospective migrant athletes and host universities to improve the migration process.

Recommended Citation

Schroeder, Pete and Killick, Lara () "'It's Going to be Colder Than San Diego': Pre-Transition Experiences of American Postgraduate Athletes at One British University," Journal of Athlete Development and Experience: Vol. 8: Iss. 2, Article 2.
Available at: https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/jade/vol8/iss2/2

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