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At �ֲ���ý Northern University, students find ways to meld their passions, even if they are as seemingly incompatible as lacrosse and creative writing.

Case in point: Martin Watson. A midfielder on the Polar Bear lacrosse team who dreams of a career writing and directing films, Martin landed a social media internship at the European Box Lacrosse Championships in Prague, Czech Republic.

For two weeks this summer, this honors student sharpened his writing and photography skills while interacting with players, fans, and individuals who are championing the growth of lacrosse across Europe.

“Lacrosse is a sport I’ve known and loved since I was 9 years old,” says Martin. “This internship allowed me to use my creativity in a variety of ways, including writing articles about the games and speeches for the PA announcers, as well as taking photographs and creating social media posts.”

Despite 14-hour workdays, a stifling heat wave, and language barriers, Martin says his biggest challenge was “having to watch lacrosse being played and not suit up.” He did, however, get to practice stickwork with the local Czech children during his downtime.

The best part of the entire experience, he adds, was the people. He bonded with his fellow interns from across the U.S. and they’re already planning a return trip to Europe. He also met Brian Witmer, owner of the Good Stick Company, who is leading a charge to make lacrosse affordable and accessible for young athletes.

“I discovered that nothing can defeat the kindness of strangers,” Martin adds. “Whether I was lost in the subway station, suffering from heat exhaustion, or hoping to snag a free t-shirt from the Finland Men’s Lacrosse team, strangers always came into the picture and showed me the utmost kindness and sincerity.”

The internship, he says, only “reinforced my love for traveling tenfold.”

“I want to do everything in my power to continue traveling, meeting new people, and making friends wherever I go. This experience opened me to a whole new world that I will carry with me and use as inspiration for my writing and filmmaking career.”