We’re proud that so many Richmond students study, research, or intern abroad. Even more impressive is the commitment of coaches and administrators to provide our talented student-athletes with study abroad opportunities.

Lexi Prillaman, '18, demonstrates that commitment. On campus, she’s a standout member of the women’s soccer team. Most traditional semester abroad programs are often not an option for student-athletes given season schedules and training, but Prillaman made the most of her summer by interning across the globe in New Zealand.

By day, she was media and marketing intern with Olé Football Academy in Porirua, a suburb of New Zealand’s capital, Wellington. There, she saw a different side to soccer, or football as the Kiwis call it. 

“I worked behind the scenes each day and helped with writing news articles, promoting the academy through social media, and oversaw a video project throughout the duration of my internship,” Prillaman said.

She also found a place to train for the upcoming season with a group of 17- to 20-year-old guys who are just as passionate about soccer as she is.

“Most days, I would wake up before work and do a gym or sprint workout with a group of college students back for the summer. I’d work during the day and get to train in the evenings,” Prillaman said. “The boys didn’t take it easy on me, and I’m thankful for that. I left New Zealand a better ‘footballer’ because of it.”

We’re excited to see her back in action with the Spiders. Her senior season kicks off August 13 at Robins Stadium at 5 p.m.