By MEAGHAN MACDONALD
Living in a place with no familiar faces can be both daunting and intimidating. In an effort to overcome these feelings, the new students of the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) found the World Cup a common ground for bonding and making friends.
“The coolest part of the World Cup is that it is a common language that literally brings the whole world together,” said Courtney Jackson, a former collegiate soccer player and Assistant Director at the ASP.
Although this international tournament connects the entire world, it has also effected communities like ASP on a much smaller scale.
“Watching the games helped me to meet people,” said Evan Leith of North House. “I probably would have been in my room reading if I hadn't been with my friends watching the game.”
“Watching the game was the first opportunity I had to spend time with some of the other girls in the dorm,” said Sarah Wiggins, a student living in Conover 20.
The girls in Conover 20 congregated around the television in their common room during free time to watch the game between the United States and Ghana before they had to leave for dorm recreation.
The United States-Ghana game attracted significant attention from the ASP community. Ghana defeated the U.S. in overtime, 2-1, tallying a dramatic goal three minutes into the extra session.
Even though the loss eliminated the United States from the World Cup, many students still plan to watch the remainder of the tournament.
“A lot of people have connections to other countries. I am of German background, so I am routing for Germany,” said Ms. Jackson.
Watching the World Cup is a very popular event in the United States and throughout the world. The game not only provides entertainment and updates to those who are interested and connected to soccer, but also can provide a common ground that brings people together, like it has on the ASP campus.
The World Cup Final will air Sunday at 2:30 as Spain takes on the Netherlands. Neither team has ever won a World Cup.
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