The commitment for Division I student-athletes is year-round. There's no offseason, but there are still opportunities for life experiences like studying abroad.
 
Lehigh women's soccer junior Darby Wiegand took advantage of the summer months to study and intern in Australia, getting worthwhile educational and career experiences while fulfilling a lifelong aspiration.
 
"I have always wanted to go abroad," she said. "I looked into programs and applied through an internship program at Arcadia University. I got into the program and they placed me into an internship over in Sydney.
 
"I took one class, but I didn't take it for credit. The main thing was the internship."
 
An Accounting major, Wiegand worked at the headquarters of Westfield Group, a well-known property owner.
 
"They own a lot of malls here in America, but they're located in Sydney," she said. "I worked in Accounting and Finance. I helped organize their gift card section."
 
Wiegand checked with the Lehigh coaching staff to make sure they supported the endeavor.
 
"I think studying abroad is a great experience for all students and our student-athletes," said fourth-year head coach Eric Lambinus. "It broadens their horizons, gives them opportunities and lets them see different cultures. I think it's great in the overall educational process."
 
One of Wiegand's biggest challenges was fitting in training for the season ahead. She had to be creative, but was able to maintain her fitness and stay sharp.
 
"It was pretty difficult," said Wiegand. "I went for a jog one day and I ran into one of the Sydney University soccer players. They allowed me to practice with them Tuesdays and Thursdays. I went out there when my schedule allowed."
 
"We had no worries," said Lambinus. "Darby probably did the exact same thing as a lot of our student-athletes. She's doing great; she's having a great preseason and has come back one of our fittest kids. She's doing well."
 
Wiegand is one example to younger student-athletes or prospective students that you can come to Lehigh and don't have to give up any aspect of the college experience.
 
"Academics and personal development comes before a lot of things," said Wiegand. "That's one of the reasons I picked Lehigh. Coach was really supportive of me going abroad and it was totally on me to stay in shape for preseason. They couldn't have been more helpful. We kept in contact throughout the summer, so it was great."
 
"I've gone abroad a bunch of different times through soccer and some other opportunities," said Lambinus. "I've thoroughly enjoyed the experiences. It's a little bit difficult at the Division I level because it's a year-round commitment, but I had no doubts that Darby was going to keep herself in shape and do the things she needed to do."
 
Wiegand had traveled outside of the country before, to parts of Europe, but this was her farthest trip from home.
 
"For as far away as it is from America, Australia is very similar," said Wiegand. "There are a few cultural differences like the way they pronounce some things, but overall, the hardest adjustment was the time difference."
 
Wiegand left in mid-May and returned in mid-July. She would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
 
"Australia is great place," she said. "I'll definitely go back and explore some more and go to New Zealand. Summer is definitely the time if you're an athlete. It's a perfect amount of time… two months is great. I got to experience a lot of things. I would highly recommend it to anyone."
 
Wiegand's life experience should help her in a number of ways moving forward.
 
"Studying abroad helped me a lot," she said. "It helped me gain some confidence and grow as an individual. I went completely alone; I knew no one going. No one from Lehigh went.
 
"I went completely blind, but it was amazing and I grew so much as a person," she continued. "I'm hoping it translates over onto the soccer field. I have high hopes for the season."
 
Wiegand finished last season tied for second on the team in goals (4) and points (8). She scored a big game-tying goal in the 90th minute at Columbia, posted the tying goal at Army and scored against Saint Joseph's and Holy Cross as well. Individually and as a team, Wiegand is looking to continue the momentum from the end of 2012 and take it a step further.
 
After starting 0-4 in Patriot League play, Lehigh made a run for the ages, winning its final three regular season games to slide into the fourth seed for the league tournament. The Mountain Hawks beat Bucknell (2-1) in overtime, topped undefeated and eventual league champion Colgate (1-0) and dominated Holy Cross (4-0).
 
"I think the biggest change I've seen is increased confidence," said Wiegand. "That was something we definitely needed being such a young team. Now we have more upperclassman and I'm hoping the confidence translates into good play.
 
"One thing we learned in the past is to not assume since we played great in the spring, we're going to do great this season," she continued. "We're taking it day by day. Hopefully the leadership from the upperclassmen can carry the underclassmen into a good season."
 
In many ways, the life experience over the summer should translate to the soccer field.
 
"In the overall scheme of things, I think this was an unbelievable experience for her," said Lambinus. "I'll bet she's a better person and will be a better soccer player for it as well."