Dain Vallie '23, D'25, and 10 of his fellow Physical Therapy majors studied in Poland last summer through LVC's first-ever program in the country. The group participated in hands-on learning experiences by visiting hospitals and universities while exploring history and culture. Vallie, who received his undergraduate degree in May 2023 and is in the graduate phase of pursuing a doctorate in Physical Therapy, said the experience was very impactful.
"It was a busy three weeks packed full of educational clinical observations, emotional cultural sites—such as the Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau Concentration Camps, and a glimpse of the fun-filled entertainment in Poland," Vallie said. "Our conversations with clinic and hospital directors, as well as patients, taught us a bit about how the Polish healthcare system works and how to compare that system with the American healthcare system."
Vallie also gained valuable insight into different physical therapy practices while in Poland. For instance, he learned how the environment can impact a patient's recovery, resulting in many Polish clinicians including psychological treatment in therapy. After graduation, Vallie plans to carry some of these newly learned concepts into his career.
"It was exciting to see how the patients enjoyed therapy and the comfortable environment they were in and seeing their progress," Vallie said. "As a future physical therapist, I want always to treat the whole person, not just the injury."
Dr. Andrew Milosz, an LVC Clinical Assistant Professor of Exercise Science, created and led the study abroad experience. The group started and ended the trip with visits to one of the professor's alma maters, Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego, in Warsaw. The name of this school translates to "University of Physical Education." As a student-athlete, touring this campus was particularly interesting to Vallie.
The university has several spaces for athletics, including a stadium and facilities for gymnastics, swimming, rugby, soccer, and beach volleyball, among other sports. The facilities are available to clubs and organizations and Polish Olympians who train on campus during certain times of the year. Vallie noted that the college's students must meet athletic requirements, such as running and swimming certain distances by a set time.
The group also stayed at The University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, which Vallie said had similar athletic facilities to colleges in the United States. The campus also had features that allowed the LVC swimmer to participate in unique training.
"I did some early morning swims in a Polish lake on campus," Vallie said. "It was a great start to the morning, and I could gladly tell Coach Mary [Gardner, LVC head men's and women's swimming coach] that I did some open water training in Poland."
While the trip provided Vallie with important educational experiences, he and the group also enjoyed cultural activities.
"We danced some nights away listening to rocking Polish bands at music festivals and chatting with other PT students who were in a very similar stage of life," Vallie said. "These experiences were so exciting and kept us asking more questions about how a life differs being raised in Poland versus South Central Pennsylvania."
Since returning to Annville, Vallie and the Dutchmen have competed in four meets and are in the second half of the season. The graduate student has already qualified for the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Championships this season after posting a time of 2:01.08 in the 200-yard freestyle at the time trials against Cedar Crest College and Bryn Mawr College on Oct. 28, 2023. He has now qualified for the conference championships in each of his five campaigns with the program. Vallie also won the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 52.86 seconds in the tri-meet against Stevenson University and Juniata College on Jan. 13.
Vallie competes in multiple events for the Flying Dutchmen, including the freestyle, breaststroke, and individual medley. While he has been a key contributor to the team during his time with LVC, he's also been recognized for his impact as a teammate and classroom success. Vallie was named to the MAC All-Sportsmanship Team three times, to the MAC Academic Honor Roll four times, and was selected to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team in 2023.
Vallie and the men's swimming will return to action at 5 p.m. on Jan. 19 against King's College at the Arnold Sports Center. He said he is eager to compete in the remaining schedule.
"It is awesome to see some young talent and motivation coming up in the team and growing into some larger shoes," Vallie said. "I look forward to the rest of the season and working hard toward the MAC Championships."
