In January 2006, the first World Race launched in Mexico.
On July 4, a UF alumna will begin her World Race in Atlanta.
Katie Olson, 22, graduated in May 2012 with degrees in psychology and applied physiology and kinesiology. She’s been preparing for the World Race since her graduation.
The World Race is an 11-month mission trip across 11 countries, which includes Thailand, South Africa and India. Olson will join 46 other people in one of four squads.
Every year, there are three World Race start dates: one in January, one in July and one in September.
According to the World Race website, about 600 people between the ages of 21 and 35 take part in the mission trip every year.
After passing an application process, Olson and her teammates attended a weeklong training camp.
“It was an intensive week in the wilderness in north Georgia to prepare us for some of the conditions, allow us to meet our squad, to learn some of what we’d be doing and to get in the right mindset,” she said.
In the year leading up to the race launch, Olson worked to fundraise $15,500, which covers airfare to the 11 countries, food, water and other necessities.
Additional costs include vaccinations, which are required for internations travel, a tent, sleeping bag and transportation to Georgia for the training camp and to the launch pad in July.
Olson has been outside the United States three times, all of which were trips to Europe. She has never been to an impoverished country.
UF nursing student Kimberly Swanson, 23, has experience in those areas. She has volunteered in Cameroon, Senegal, Kenya and the Republic of Georgia.
“You don’t think about your culture until you’re forced to see a different culture and setting,” Swanson said. “Learning diversity allows for education.”
Packing for 11 months is a challenge for Olson. Everything she will need for almost a year must fit in a hiking backpack and daypack.
She said the nerves haven’t kicked in yet, but she expects them to.
“It is a giant leap of faith and way beyond anything I’ve ever done before,” Olson said.
