Former Rower Competes in The Boat Race
3/28/2016 5:35:00 PM | Women's Rowing
Habjan rows at Cambridge after graduating from Syracuse in 2015
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – On Sunday, former Syracuse University women's rower Caroline Habjan competed in The Boat Race on the River Thames in London. One of the most popular races in the world, The Boat Race pits Cambridge and Oxford.
Cuse.com caught up with Habjan before the race:
First of all, what is the experience of being at Cambridge like?
Being at Cambridge has been an amazing experience and very different from anything I have experienced before. Excluding the cars driving on the opposite side of the road, people speaking with an English accent and interesting food options, my day-to-day routine is quite unique.
I wake up at just before 5 a.m., cycle to the train station (Cambridge is absolutely a cycling city), catch the 5:55 train to our boathouse located in Ely, England and train with the team. Then, I catch the train back to Cambridge and work in my lab at the Cambridge Institute of Medical Research in the department of Clinical Biochemistry from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (carrying out various procedures to investigate the immuno-excitability of microglia, astrocytes and bone marrow derived macrophages with the goal of making progress in understanding neurodegeneration). I cycle to our CUWBC (Cambridge University Women's Boat Club) indoor training facilities in Cambridge to complete the second training session which is usually an erg or lift, then I cycle back to my flat which I share with three students from various parts of China and one student from South Africa, cook dinner and head to bed!
In addition to being in the lab 40 hours during the week, on weekends I often have to make trips to the lab to upkeep my cells. We also have two training sessions on Saturday and Sunday each, and our off day from training is Monday.
How did this opportunity come about?
My major at Syracuse was biotechnology and my goal has always been to have a career in medicine. I am currently doing medical research at a translational hospital; my lab at the Cambridge Institute of Medical Research is partnered with a major hospital in Cambridgshire called Addenbrooks Hospital (located on the same property as my lab). The physicians and medical researchers work very closely and many physicians at Addenbrooks are fully updated on the research on findings of my institution which helps them with deciding patient care protocols. I have chosen my academic program at Cambridge based on my academic interests I developed at Syracuse.
I really decided to apply to Cambridge because it was a top notch medical research institution in England, and I have always wanted to travel and study abroad. My current head coach, Rob Baker e-mailed me over the summer to let me know that it was possible for me to continue my rowing career at the University of Cambridg,e as well. Interestingly, I was strongly advised to NOT mention rowing in my application to Cambridge because unlike Syracuse and other American universities, many administrators at Cambridge view athletics as something that can detract from students' academic performances and contributions (Of course, I know the opposite). After I was admitted to Cambridge, I proceeded to engage in rowing. I think the necessary time management and the strength of character I have built up from rowing has improved my research contributions. Luckily, my lab supervisor, Folma Buss is very supportive of my engagement with rowing, as well. I am currently completing my Master's degree and I have just been re-admitted to Cambridge to carry on and earn my PhD here.
What has been the best part of being able to continue your rowing career?
My favorite part of rowing has always been working with some of my best friends to achieve something that initially seemed impossible. On top of that, I love how rowing makes me feel strong and capable.
When I left Syracuse, I was so upset that I had to leave the team that I loved and the sport that has made me, me behind. My Syracuse rowing career was truly an invaluable, once-in-a-lifetime experience because I had world-class coaches and teammates (who doubled as best friends).
Here at Cambridge, I still get to enjoy the elements of the sport I have always loved with wonderful people, but I still bleed orange and my time at Syracuse with the incredible people that make up Syracuse women's rowing team will never be overshadowed or forgotten.
How excited are you for the Boat Race?
I am VERY excited for the Boat Race on Sunday, March 27th. It is the pinnacle and the finale of our year of very intensive training.
What has the preparation been like getting ready for the race?
The preparation has been very rigorous and in many ways very similar to the training at Syracuse. We have 12 training sessions per week, which includes long, technical water sessions, race-prep pieces, erg assessments and strength and conditioning sessions. We also make many weekend trips to the Tideway Racecourse on the Thames River in London to practice where we will compete officially against Oxford. The Tideway course is unique in that it has a tidal flow and has a very strong current that switches directions throughout the day.
How did you experience at Syracuse help you where you are today?
Academically, at Syracuse I learned the amazing theory of all of the experiments that I have the privilege to carry out and apply here at Cambridge.
With regards to rowing, SUWR, under the guidance of Justin Moore, provided me with challenges that have ultimately strengthened me in so many ways. In particular, I have developed an incredibly strong sense of self belief or self-efficacy. Every day I wake up feeling powerful and competent enough to take on the challenges of the day ahead. Syracuse University women's rowing has made me a more courageous and compassionate person. I am never afraid to take a risk for myself or for the people I love (like my teammates).
I am so incredibly thankful for what Syracuse University women's rowing, including Justin, Alicea and Jim, ALL of my Syracuse teammates and Syracuse Athletics, has given me and I wouldn't be the same if it wasn't for my Syracuse experience. THANK YOU SYRACUSE.
Cuse.com caught up with Habjan before the race:
First of all, what is the experience of being at Cambridge like?
Being at Cambridge has been an amazing experience and very different from anything I have experienced before. Excluding the cars driving on the opposite side of the road, people speaking with an English accent and interesting food options, my day-to-day routine is quite unique.
I wake up at just before 5 a.m., cycle to the train station (Cambridge is absolutely a cycling city), catch the 5:55 train to our boathouse located in Ely, England and train with the team. Then, I catch the train back to Cambridge and work in my lab at the Cambridge Institute of Medical Research in the department of Clinical Biochemistry from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (carrying out various procedures to investigate the immuno-excitability of microglia, astrocytes and bone marrow derived macrophages with the goal of making progress in understanding neurodegeneration). I cycle to our CUWBC (Cambridge University Women's Boat Club) indoor training facilities in Cambridge to complete the second training session which is usually an erg or lift, then I cycle back to my flat which I share with three students from various parts of China and one student from South Africa, cook dinner and head to bed!
In addition to being in the lab 40 hours during the week, on weekends I often have to make trips to the lab to upkeep my cells. We also have two training sessions on Saturday and Sunday each, and our off day from training is Monday.
How did this opportunity come about?
My major at Syracuse was biotechnology and my goal has always been to have a career in medicine. I am currently doing medical research at a translational hospital; my lab at the Cambridge Institute of Medical Research is partnered with a major hospital in Cambridgshire called Addenbrooks Hospital (located on the same property as my lab). The physicians and medical researchers work very closely and many physicians at Addenbrooks are fully updated on the research on findings of my institution which helps them with deciding patient care protocols. I have chosen my academic program at Cambridge based on my academic interests I developed at Syracuse.
I really decided to apply to Cambridge because it was a top notch medical research institution in England, and I have always wanted to travel and study abroad. My current head coach, Rob Baker e-mailed me over the summer to let me know that it was possible for me to continue my rowing career at the University of Cambridg,e as well. Interestingly, I was strongly advised to NOT mention rowing in my application to Cambridge because unlike Syracuse and other American universities, many administrators at Cambridge view athletics as something that can detract from students' academic performances and contributions (Of course, I know the opposite). After I was admitted to Cambridge, I proceeded to engage in rowing. I think the necessary time management and the strength of character I have built up from rowing has improved my research contributions. Luckily, my lab supervisor, Folma Buss is very supportive of my engagement with rowing, as well. I am currently completing my Master's degree and I have just been re-admitted to Cambridge to carry on and earn my PhD here.
What has been the best part of being able to continue your rowing career?
My favorite part of rowing has always been working with some of my best friends to achieve something that initially seemed impossible. On top of that, I love how rowing makes me feel strong and capable.
When I left Syracuse, I was so upset that I had to leave the team that I loved and the sport that has made me, me behind. My Syracuse rowing career was truly an invaluable, once-in-a-lifetime experience because I had world-class coaches and teammates (who doubled as best friends).
Here at Cambridge, I still get to enjoy the elements of the sport I have always loved with wonderful people, but I still bleed orange and my time at Syracuse with the incredible people that make up Syracuse women's rowing team will never be overshadowed or forgotten.
How excited are you for the Boat Race?
I am VERY excited for the Boat Race on Sunday, March 27th. It is the pinnacle and the finale of our year of very intensive training.
What has the preparation been like getting ready for the race?
The preparation has been very rigorous and in many ways very similar to the training at Syracuse. We have 12 training sessions per week, which includes long, technical water sessions, race-prep pieces, erg assessments and strength and conditioning sessions. We also make many weekend trips to the Tideway Racecourse on the Thames River in London to practice where we will compete officially against Oxford. The Tideway course is unique in that it has a tidal flow and has a very strong current that switches directions throughout the day.
How did you experience at Syracuse help you where you are today?
Academically, at Syracuse I learned the amazing theory of all of the experiments that I have the privilege to carry out and apply here at Cambridge.
With regards to rowing, SUWR, under the guidance of Justin Moore, provided me with challenges that have ultimately strengthened me in so many ways. In particular, I have developed an incredibly strong sense of self belief or self-efficacy. Every day I wake up feeling powerful and competent enough to take on the challenges of the day ahead. Syracuse University women's rowing has made me a more courageous and compassionate person. I am never afraid to take a risk for myself or for the people I love (like my teammates).
I am so incredibly thankful for what Syracuse University women's rowing, including Justin, Alicea and Jim, ALL of my Syracuse teammates and Syracuse Athletics, has given me and I wouldn't be the same if it wasn't for my Syracuse experience. THANK YOU SYRACUSE.
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