2008 Woodie Awards
Kwan adjusting to life as student
Former Olympic figure skater working to get her degree at DU
Bryce Evans
Issue date: 3/7/07 Section: Sports
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For college students in their first year away from home and their family, it can be a tough adjustment. Students have to learn to fend for themselves and earn their independence.
There really are no exceptions, even if you are a two-time Olympian and world champion athlete, like current DU student Michelle Kwan.
"I have to do my own laundry and stuff, so that's a bummer," said Kwan, the former top female figure skater in the world. "I live alone here. I lived alone in L.A. too, but my mom would come over to do my laundry and clean up. When I'm back home, there is always gas in my car, and my house is spotless."
Kwan, 26, is currently in her first year of classes at DU, focusing on classes in the Political Science Department.
Since taking a hiatus from the sport that brought her much fame and opportunity, Kwan is now trying to recover from an August surgery on her leg while attending classes.
Though Kwan did take some classes at her hometown University of California-Los Angeles, travel and competition limited her to only finish one full year.
'"I went there (UCLA) for a few years, but only finished about a year," said Kwan. "So, I am a sophomore and almost a junior."
Kwan said that although she did receive criticism from friends for deciding to go to school, she felt that it was something that she needed to do.
"A lot of my friends that are older were like, 'What are you doing? Why are you going back to school?'" said Kwan. "I just feel that with skating, you can only do so much, and, after having surgery, I realized that I can only skate for so long. But an education is something that you can always have, always fall back on."
Like many other world-renowned athletes, Kwan has decided to try to earn her degree. But, unlike notable athletes such as Tiger Woods or Shaquille O'Neal, she did not decide to go back to the school that she started at.
"It's something that's different," said Kwan of attending school in the Mile High City. "I am from Los Angeles born and raised, but I have a lot of friends here. Also, I like the city of Denver a lot.
There really are no exceptions, even if you are a two-time Olympian and world champion athlete, like current DU student Michelle Kwan.
"I have to do my own laundry and stuff, so that's a bummer," said Kwan, the former top female figure skater in the world. "I live alone here. I lived alone in L.A. too, but my mom would come over to do my laundry and clean up. When I'm back home, there is always gas in my car, and my house is spotless."
Kwan, 26, is currently in her first year of classes at DU, focusing on classes in the Political Science Department.
Since taking a hiatus from the sport that brought her much fame and opportunity, Kwan is now trying to recover from an August surgery on her leg while attending classes.
Though Kwan did take some classes at her hometown University of California-Los Angeles, travel and competition limited her to only finish one full year.
'"I went there (UCLA) for a few years, but only finished about a year," said Kwan. "So, I am a sophomore and almost a junior."
Kwan said that although she did receive criticism from friends for deciding to go to school, she felt that it was something that she needed to do.
"A lot of my friends that are older were like, 'What are you doing? Why are you going back to school?'" said Kwan. "I just feel that with skating, you can only do so much, and, after having surgery, I realized that I can only skate for so long. But an education is something that you can always have, always fall back on."
Like many other world-renowned athletes, Kwan has decided to try to earn her degree. But, unlike notable athletes such as Tiger Woods or Shaquille O'Neal, she did not decide to go back to the school that she started at.
"It's something that's different," said Kwan of attending school in the Mile High City. "I am from Los Angeles born and raised, but I have a lot of friends here. Also, I like the city of Denver a lot.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
James E. Zambori
posted 3/09/07 @ 8:25 AM MST
My comments are Michelle Kwan is doing the right thing by going back to school. She is a very lovely young lady. If healthy, come back to competive skating. (Continued…)
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