Collection of case studies of school students who succeeded in balancing school career with the passion for sport.
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STUDENT INFORMATION

Name of the student:
Maddalena Merialdo

Country:
Italy

Sport:
Gymnastics
SCHOOL INFORMATION

Name of the School:
Istituto Istruzione Superiore Rita Levi-Montalcini

School Typology:
Technical

Address:
Corso Carlo Marx, 2

Tel:
0144312550

Fax:
0144311708

Web site:
www.iislevimontalcini.it

E-mail:
CASE STUDY

The Context:
- I started at four years of age (last year of preschool). My preschool and some of my middle school teachers encouraged me. My parents have always supported me, and have been involved since the sport I practice is not available where I live.
- Yes, I think that sport help to better relate with others because you learn to relate to one another through a common passion.
- I believe that sport structures in my school are too old and not very spacious to accommodate all the students of the Institute.
- Um..um…..no comment.
- Considering the nation in general maybe yes, but in the towns it’s much more complicated.
- I think that young people aren’t encouraged to practice sport in your country ; only football is considered sport in Italy and in other sport is very difficult to stand out.

Balancing Sport and Education:
- I train six hours weekly, three days a week for two hours. That’s not including travel time to go to the gym.
- I study about one and a half hours a day including written homework.
- I’m regional champion in category 2, senior round UISP, 3rd place at the 2013/2014 nationals and 3rd place in the vault at the 2014/2015 nationals
- I participate in all the school activities and projects and I manage to reach my academic goals.
- It is not easy to combine sport and school, but for the moment I’m happy also for school result.
- It’s important to be organized and to study in the limited time available
- Doing sports helps with concentration so you make the most of your time even when there’s little of it.

Future Perspectives:
- In my category , there are many difficulties; therefore the future is uncertain. In addition, at my age it is difficult to improve further. At the moment I would like to continue my education, but I still don’t have clear ideas.