Caroline Schenck is a junior swimmer for the Lafayette Leopards from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and has been swimming since the age of six. She is a double major in Chinese and Asia-focused International Affairs. Currently studying abroad in Shanghai, she balances academics, language immersion, and much more as she works toward her long-term career goals in foreign policy.

"I chose Lafayette because I knew I would never be encouraged to give something up. I haven't missed a single important academic opportunity because of athletics or vice versa."  Caroline Schenck

She takes pride in being part of the swimming and diving team. Her coaches have supported her growth and encouraged her to step outside of the pool and pursue opportunities beyond athletics. This summer, Schenck will be interning with the Institute of World Politics in the National Security Research department in Washington, D.C. She has also been recognized on the Dean's List, President's List, and the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll across multiple semesters.

Diving Into the Sport

How did you start swimming and who introduced you to it?
I started swimming on a neighborhood summer swim team when I was six, after taking swim lessons with the team's head coach. I got bubble gum after every lesson, so I was hoping they might give out bubble gum at swim practice too.

What do you pack in your meet bag?
My essentials are an absurd number of caps (I break so many), my pink goggles, sweats for on deck snacks, and I always grab a foam roller.

What's the hardest part of your sport that people don't see?
Being in complete silence and staring at a black line for two plus hours can get pretty hard. You have to be good at talking to yourself and self-motivating through the hardest sets, but it's actually one of my favorite things about swimming.

Favorite team memory?
I love training trips every year. It's so fun for us all to be together without outside responsibilities, just focused on training in preparation for the end of the season.

Leopard Life Abroad

How different is your schedule studying abroad versus if you were on campus right now?
It's very different. Most of my classes are just once a week for three hours, which isn't something I do on campus. I'm swimming and lifting at a random time every day, depending on what we have going on!



How many languages do you speak and which ones?
I speak two languages, English and Chinese.

Favorite place you've explored so far while studying abroad?
My home base city, Shanghai, has been so fun to explore. As it is one of the biggest cities in the world, I feel like I still have barely scratched the surface. There's always so much to do!

Favorite snack you've found there?
There's an old local soup dumpling place by my apartment that I love. I think it's better than the famous Michelin star places, and so cheap.

What's something in China that surprised you more than you expected?
I was surprised by how many people are still so interested in talking to foreigners simply because you're from outside the country. Because Shanghai is such an international city, I wasn't expecting this!

If you could teleport one thing from home to China, what would it be?
Chick-fil-A Chicken Minis!

Life Through Her Lens

How has studying International Affairs shaped the way you're experiencing being abroad?
Being in China, especially as a double major of Chinese and an Asia focused International Affairs major, has brought everything I have learned in the classroom and research settings to life.

What would you say to encourage other athletes to study abroad?
Studying abroad has given me a rewarding challenge that I think is completely different than what you get from athletics. Yes, athletics is uncomfortable, but it's something you have done the majority of your life by now. It has been a unique challenge that has given me a new perspective.

Your most precious item, even if it's not valuable?
Over the last 3 or so years, I have collected letters from my friends and family that they have written to me. I absolutely love them so much that I brought them all the way to China and I always display them in my room, whether that's in Easton or wherever I am for the summer.

Coaching & Mentorship

What's one moment in your swimming career that really sticks with you?
Probably my first Patriot League Championship freshman year. Even though I didn't perform how I wanted to, it was so cool to represent my school at a meet that big for the first time. It also gave me so much motivation to come back the next year and get myself to where I wanted to be.

Game day routines, how do you prepare for meets?
I always wake up and take a very hot shower and visualize my races, no matter how early we're leaving. I learned this from one of my high school coaches and have done it since 9th grade.

Most random thing you've learned about yourself this year?
I've learned that it's important for me to take time to consciously step back to take in experiences and recognize that it's okay to slow down. I need to slow down and stop just looking into the future, because I'm learning so much and becoming who I want to be in the process.

On College Hill 

Why Lafayette, what made it the right fit for you?
I like that academics and athletics are not exclusive but rather intertwined with each other in the best way. I have been able to have two majors, a minor, work as an EXCEL scholar, Chinese tutor, and peer mentor, all while receiving never ending support from my coaches. 

What's a small moment at Lafayette that's meant a lot to you?
At the end of my freshman year, I went up to my Chinese teacher (Professor Luo) and told her I couldn't take Chinese my sophomore year because I needed to take an IA class at the exact same time. She immediately said to me, "Oh, that's not a problem. One of us can teach you the class by yourself at a separate time. I was so beyond thankful that this is the type of professor I am so lucky to have every day at Lafayette.

How has being a student-athlete taught you something outside of sports?
Has taught me the typical things like time management, but more importantly it has taught me that it is possible to be fully committed in multiple areas. You don't always, have to let up on something to do something else.



What advice would you give a freshman coming to Lafayette?
I would say make an effort to talk to seniors in your major that have similar interests and goals as you. They've been through what you're about to do and can be such amazing help. 

Life Outside the Lanes

Favorite things to do outside of competing?
In the Spring in our offseason, I love going on walks and to Pilates downtown with my teammates after class. I also picked up needle pointing last year!

Favorite sport outside of swimming?
I love watching college football, especially with my dad!

What is your dream job?
My absolute, completely crazy, unrealistic, dream job is to be the US national security advisor. But, my more realistic dream job is to do China-focused research at a big think tank like The Center for Strategic and International Studies or The Code of Federal Regulations. 

Looking back, what's the most valuable thing you learned from your Tennessee-China Network internship?
That internship was one of the first times I had to write short reports for a public-facing source, which definitely helped my analytical skills.

Quick Hits

Current favorite Gatorade flavor?
The white cherry one!

Something random people would be surprised to know about you?
One time when I was about seven, I auditioned for Annie on Broadway!

Favorite childhood movie?
Definitely Mamma Mia. I used to walk around the house singing all the songs.

If you could meet any athlete in the world, who would it be?
I think I have to say Missy Franklin, just because I looked up to her so much as a little girl.