WESTON, Mass. -- Women's basketball student-athlete Jordyn Striggles (Raynham, Mass.) recently returned from a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Greece with Beyond Sports, an international program that combines athletic competition with cultural immersion for student-athletes. 

Striggles, who plays guard for the Regis College Women's Basketball team, was selected to join student-athletes from across the U.S. for a 10-day journey through Greece, where she competed in international games while exploring the rich history, culture, and traditions of the region. 

"I always dreamed that one day I would be invited to do this," said Striggles, recalling how a teammate's experience in Spain with Beyond Sports inspired her as a freshman. "Three years later, that dream came to life." 

A Day in the Life: Basketball and Culture in Greece 

The games exposed Striggles and her teammates to the faster pace and unique rules of international (FIBA) play. "...the FIBA rules contain a 24 second shot clock and 8 seconds to get over half court...Something else that was different was how we lined up when shooting free throws. Instead of having three on each side, FIBA rules consist of three on one side and two on the other side." She noted. "Now for the teams that we played in Greece, they moved the ball very quickly and would pass the ball behind their backs, over their head, it was very different, but enjoyable to watch and play against."

Beyond the technical differences, the experience challenged her to grow as a player and a person. "Personally, I believe it gave me a chance to step out of my comfort zone and connect with a large number of new people. Basketball was just a given for us to be able to connect, but with being there for 10 days, we had no choice but to really get to know each other." She said, "As a player, I think I was also pushed to step out of my comfort zone to play against women that are much older than me and are physically stronger and faster. This gave me a chance to understand my strengths and weaknesses against more experienced players."

Lessons, Memories, and Lasting Impact 

For Striggles, the highlight of the trip was visiting the historic Acropolis and Parthenon. "After this guided tour, we saw the Acropolis itself, and I was able to fully appreciate it after learning about its history beforehand. This was the most memorable because I have always had an appreciation for history and Greek mythology."

Striggles encourages fellow student-athletes to embrace opportunities like this. "While the days were counting down until my departure to Greece, I was very nervous. I had never been out of the country by myself before and I was worried I wouldn't enjoy my time or make friends. It took me a day to adjust due to travel, but on the second day when I started to make friends and we had our first game, I was so grateful that I was able to get this opportunity."

Striggles' journey shows how powerful sports can be in shaping both athletic and personal growth. Her time in Greece helped her improve her game, gain new perspectives, and build strong connections—skills that will benefit her in the season ahead and beyond.