Three Continents, One Summer: Q&A with Gabe Rivera
8/7/2013 11:31:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Leading up to the first preseason practice, we've been conducting weekly Q&A's with members of the Davidson men's soccer team and head coach Matt Spear. This week's profile is on junior forward Gabe Rivera.
Gabe Rivera Q&A
Give an overview of how your summer played out.
My summer has been phenomenal. I spent just over a month at home enjoying life after exams, seeing family and friends, doing an internship, and I managed to work in a few trips to the beach as well. At the end of June, I hopped on a plane to Spain to start my five-week study abroad program in Cádiz. I was with a great group of Davidson students, most of whom were varsity athletes, studying at a school within a quarter mile of the beach. As if it could get better, I also had the opportunity to visit Morocco, which is roughly an hour boat ride from the south of Spain. I've been fortunate enough to see three different continents this summer, two being foreign, study abroad, and work a summer internship. Overall I'd say my summer went as perfectly as it could have.
When exams wrapped up in May, what did you in terms of soccer and how has the summer training been going?
The month that I was at home, I was training with my local club team and working out with a friend from home who also plays D1. I was training three times a week and lifting every day. While in Spain, I worked out with a Track runner, Cyrus Bahram, and a Football Player, Griffin Brand. We lifted four times a week, ran frequently, and played pickup soccer in the street courts all over Cádiz.
When you decided to attend Davidson, did an interest in study abroad impact your college choice?
I hadn't planned so far ahead at the time of applying, to study abroad, but in retrospect, I greatly appreciate the opportunity to have been able to do so. It's a great opportunity not always available to varsity athletes at other schools.
With your parents originally from Puerto Rico, did that have any impact on your decision where to go?
I certainly love my parents, value my heritage, and take pride in where I come from, but I would have to say the only influence that had on my decision to attend Davidson was giving me a greater appreciation for the opportunities I have been given here in the states that I most likely would not have had, had I grown up in Puerto Rico.
What has the study abroad program been like and what has surprised you and how have you grown?
Studying abroad is incredible. It gave me the chance to sharpen my Spanish, keep mentally active over the summer break period, and visit incredible places that would have been impossible to experience otherwise. The only surprise was how much fun it was and how close I got to both the Davidson students I went with and the friends I made while abroad. I grew comfortable with a culture other than the one I grew up with. I adopted new family members and made new friends with a completely different perspective of the world. The host of new experiences I had while abroad served as an amazing influx of information culturally and socially, and that being apart from the classes I was taking.
You have battled some injuries in your college career – how is your body feeling now and what are your hopes for the 2013 season?
I have struggled with some injuries in my college career, but fortunately I have always overcome them. This summer I was pushed by my workout accountability and I feel stronger than I have ever been. Lord willing this 2013 season will reflect the hard work that has been put in over the summer, not only by myself, but the entire team. I'm confident, excited, and itching to get back on the Davidson pitch alongside the rest of my teammates. This year is gonna' be a lot of fun.
