Few individuals have the talent and discipline to be in peak physical condition and compete among the nation’s top collegiate athletes. Even fewer of those top athletes can also boast about having an impressive college GPA in a scientific field. Both attributes help set Monmouth College senior swim team member Rachel Holm of Oregon, Ill., apart, along with her difficult decision to miss half of her final season in the pool.
One of Monmouth’s 10 fastest women in five events, Holm holds multiple school records. But last fall, the psychology major and Spanish minor faced a dilemma, having to choose between the swim team and her studies. After much contemplation, Holm decided to spend the fall semester abroad in Chile, even though it meant missing half of the swim season.
“Travel is close to my heart, and I did not want to pass up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience a new culture while studying with a premier psychology program,” said Holm. “Spending time in Spanish-speaking Chile would also increase my fluency, and that’s an essential element of a Spanish minor. I’m pleased with the decision I made.”
She acknowledges that studying abroad was an activity she had contemplated for years, explaining that “Swimming is a significant part of my life, but it is also important to me to have a rich, well-rounded college experience.”
Upon completing the required classes to study abroad during her junior year, Holm immediately sent off her application to ISEP, the International Student Exchange Program. When she spoke with her coach regarding her decision to study abroad, he gladly invited her to rejoin the swim team upon her return.
“I will always treasure memories of my time in Chile,” Holm remarked. “I hope this vibrant country will continue to be a part of my life.”
Recalling her experiences, Holm said she was struck by how welcoming and eager her hosts were to include her as another member of the family. Witnessing a swim meet, she was impressed by how “incredibly loud” Chilean spectators were as they cheered on the swimmers.
Upon returning home at the end of the fall semester, Holm dived into intense training in order to get back into shape for competitive swimming.
“It was difficult to condition my body back into shape with such little time before the new semester and season began,” she admitted.
Holm hopes to break a school relay record and end her senior year “with a bang.” It will be a challenge, to be sure, but that’s nothing new for the talented senior. She is making it a habit to clear obstacles, such as her difficult decision last fall and a schedule full of challenging courses. When she says she is optimistic about her and her team’s chances to have a record-breaking season, it’s easy to imagine that coming to fruition, too.
"The Midwest Conference is formed as an organization of colleges sharing a similar educational philosophy of inter-collegiate athletics. Conference members believe that intercollegiate athletics provide unique and valuable experiences in the total educational program. They contribute significantly to the development of the individual students and provide excellent opportunity for their growth, self-realization, and the fulfillment of personal potential." (Excerpt from MWC Constitution)