The international partnership agreement between UC Santa Cruz and the University of Padova (Unipd), established in 2021, was strengthened and celebrated through a unique sporting experience for students at both institutions.
Assistant Vice Provost of Global Engagement Becky George traveled to Unipd in the fall of 2022 to reinforce a budding partnership and learn more about opportunities for engagement. At the same time, Guido Bordignon, UC Santa Cruz Associate Teaching Professor, was also in Padova. As an alumnus of Unipd, he shared an eagerness to explore ways to bring the two universities closer together.
This coincidence provided the perfect opportunity for George and Bordignon to meet in person at the Unipd International Relations office, where they engaged in productive discussions and laid the groundwork for what would be a meaningful and innovative project. “As fate would have it, I was visiting family in Padova at the time,” said Bordignon. “Over coffee, we discussed the mutual benefits and the importance of building bridges between institutions.”
In 2022, as Unipd observed its 800th anniversary, Bordignon noticed that they were also engaging in sporting events with other institutions to celebrate their partnerships. Inspired by this approach, Bordignon began to explore the possibility for UC Santa Cruz to engage with Unipd in a similar way, through a sport close to his heart – rugby.
“I proposed using rugby—a sport deeply rooted in Padova and the sport I have practiced since childhood—as a means to celebrate and strengthen the new partnership between our universities,” said Bordignon. “At the time, I was one of the assistant rugby coaches at UC Santa Cruz, and I began working on making this initiative a reality.”
From August 30 to September 16, Bordignon accompanied fellow UC Santa Cruz faculty member and Head rugby coach Jeremy Sanford to engage in joint practices and official matches with their Italian counterparts, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and teamwork across cultures.
The Division of Global Engagement provided support services for the program, working with the Unipd International Relations Office and the Unipd Alumni Association. The student-athletes stayed in the University Sports Centre where they trained for the matches. Beyond the athletic competition, the students participated in various educational and cultural activities and excursions around Padova and Venice, gaining a deeper understanding of Italian culture and history.
Sanford and Bordignon are confident that this experience enriched students’ lives on a personal, academic, and athletic level.
“I’m thrilled to have brought our students to a university with a high-performance sporting environment in the heart of the Italian rugby community,” said Sanford. “Our players immersed themselves in the history of a truly great university and city and explored rugby culture at its finest. International touring is a cornerstone of rugby. I believe this experience has set our teams up for success this year, and created new connections to the global rugby community.”
This opportunity reflects UC Santa Cruz’s dedication to offering students global experiences that enrich their education. Participants returned not only with enhanced athletic skills that could benefit future sports endeavors but also a broader worldview, making this exchange a meaningful and impactful part of their university experience.
“This trip was extremely beneficial for the team on a rugby level but also a personal one,” said Tiego Logan, UC Santa Cruz student-athlete. “Here in the U.S., many people have only played rugby during college and maybe high school. However, in Italy, rugby is a lifestyle and is heavily ingrained into society. For players to experience Italian rugby is wholly beneficial to both the sport and student life at UC Santa Cruz.”
“Playing in a country where rugby is a major sport was a great experience. I learned a lot about ways to improve as an athlete and how Italy celebrates the sport,” said Lily Taylor-Hunt, UC Santa Cruz student-athlete. “The UC Santa Cruz women’s squad had the opportunity to practice with the women’s national team (Valsugana Rugby) and played with one of the newer clubs formed just last year (Patavium Rugby Union). Additionally, traveling to Venice and wandering around Padua was culturally enlightening. It was incredible to learn about the history and art of the people there.”
Bordignon, who received his BS, MS, and Pharm.D. from the University of Padova adds, “We hope this collaboration will extend beyond sports, encompassing teaching, student exchanges, and research opportunities. It was truly remarkable to bring young student-athletes, many of whom have never traveled outside California or experienced their sport abroad, to Padova.”
“As we look to expand activities with Unipd beyond our existing exchange program, we see this athletic event as a significant and unique step forward,” said Becky George, Assistant Vice Provost of Global Engagement and Senior International Officer. “Additionally, both Jeremy and Guido had the opportunity to meet with faculty at Unipd, which we hope will result in active research collaborations and increased student mobility in both directions.”
Broadening and deepening institutional partnerships with universities abroad is key to the UC Santa Cruz Strategic Plan for Internationalization.