Using Sports as Personal Therapy While Studying Abroad

Before I dive in, here’s some background on my relationship with sports. In high school, I played year-round—soccer in the fall and summer, track and field in the winter and spring. For me, sports weren’t just activities; they were a source of community, discipline, and motivation. I found joy in my team’s successes and lessons in the challenges that came with competition and pressure.

When I got to college, I went from training nearly 20 hours a week to barely making time for the gym. This shift affected my mental health more than I realized. I didn’t enjoy weightlifting the way I had enjoyed team sports, and I felt disconnected from the part of myself that thrived in motion. A few months before leaving for Argentina, I started running again. At first, I followed the drills from my old track practices, but over time I transitioned to long-distance running and fell in love with it.

Running in Buenos Aires

Once I rekindled my love for running, I set a goal: to run consistently while I was in Argentina. At first this was about staying healthy and avoiding gym fees. But now, as I approach my final week here, I can say with certainty that this goal gave me something much deeper, comfort, clarity, and connection.

I live in the Caballito neighborhood, and my regular running spot quickly became Parque Chacabuco. My first run there felt ordinary—beautiful scenery, lots of greenery, playgrounds, soccer goals, and even a fountain. But the people made it special. The running community in Chacabuco—and all of Buenos Aires, really—is vibrant and full of energy. There are formal training groups with personal coaches, casual runners of all levels, and an undeniable collective momentum that kept me going. Being surrounded by people with the same drive and rhythm created a quiet solidarity that made running feel communal, even when I was alone.

How can this help you?

Running became my anchor. On days when I felt homesick or overwhelmed, running gave me time to reflect, decompress, and remember why I chose to study abroad in the first place. Each solo run was a mix of exploring my new neighborhood and checking in with myself emotionally. In those quiet, repetitive strides I found peace, processed feelings, and set intentions. That, to me, is a form of therapy.

I’ve never considered myself artistic. Sports have always been my outlet for creative expression. In Buenos Aires, I reconnected with that part of myself. Running helped me through culture shock, loneliness, and moments of doubt. It gave me something to work toward, physically and mentally.

My only regret? I didn’t sign up for a race. If you’re thinking of starting to run while abroad, run that race! Set the goal. Chase it. Don’t wait for perfect timing. Running gave me back a part of myself I hadn’t realized I’d lost, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for grounding while navigating the adventure of study abroad.

Genesis C. | Brandeis University | IFSA Buenos Aires: Psychology and Neuroscience in Argentina | Spring 2025