Column: Soccer: The cultural mediator

Many students know that the University of Tennessee at Martin has an excellent global exchange program. Foreign students attending the university provide a unique opportunity for us to learn about a culture and customs other than our own as well as broaden our knowledge about life in other countries.

However, sometimes the feeling that there are too many cultural barriers dominates the desire to try and make friends with our foreign peers. One solution that combines camaraderie through teamwork and unity through a pursuit of victory is the game of soccer.

Soccer has quickly become known as the world's favorite sport. Its universal appeal makes it an excellent way to transcend the barriers that many worry about when approaching foreign students.

I have made plenty of friends who are from other countries by getting to know them as players first. One such friend and player, Duk Soo, said that soccer served as a great outlet for him as he adjusted to life in America. Another friend, Bander Alseraya told me that soccer is the main sport focused on in Saudi Arabia and that he enjoys playing at UTM with his friends. But what is it that makes soccer so appealing all over the world?

Soccer combines many elements which are relevant to all people, not just one or two particular groups. It requires effective communication among teammates, creativity with the ball, and a desire to see the team succeed, not just one's self.

Effective communication is essential in any team sport, especially soccer. The ball is moved up the field by being passed from player to player and misread signals or unclear intentions can lead to a turnover or even a goal for the other team.

When playing on a team with others who do not speak the same language as you, reading body language and eye contact is important. By anticipating these motions and reading the signs that your teammates are giving you, you can move the ball quickly and easily making the game flow smoother and become more enjoyable.

Creativity is one of my favorite aspects of the game.

You can do anything you can think of with the ball provided you do not touch it with your hands. This is where some players truly set themselves apart and make the game their own.

You can learn a lot about a player watching how he controls the ball.Some players pace themselves with concise, controlled movements. Others focus on building and maintaining speed.

Then there are those players who break the mold in all aspects of play and come up with a style all their own. By playing with people who grew up playing soccer in other countries, you are exposed to all methods of the sport. Each individual brings his own flavor to the game and each deserves a level of respect in its own right.

Perhaps the most important part of the game that a player needs to possess is a desire to see the team succeed instead of seeking personal glory. Everyone at times wants to be the hero, but a real teammate understands that he/she is one part of a whole.

Soccer is a team sport and while one player can change the course of a game or even a season; he/she cannot win single-handedly.

All of these aspects make soccer an excellent sport to play as well as a good way to get to know our foreign students. Often times when the weather is nice a pick up game can be found down on the soccer fields. We are always looking for new players and you just might make some new friends as well as learn a thing or two about how the game is played.