Q & A With Junior Claudia Opperman

By Chase Mitchell

Q: How long have you been playing water polo?

A: 7 years. I was a swimmer before, and then joined water polo in high school.

Q: Favorite moment of your career at Oxy?

A: This year we got to go on a team trip to San Diego, which is where I'm from. It was really fun bonding with the team and hanging out on the beach and playing lots of spike ball.

Q: As one of the only upperclassmen on the team, what is it that you try to impart to your younger teammates?

A: As a team I think the most important thing that we can do is constantly keep working hard at every practice and every game. We are almost at the end of this season but I think it is key for all of us to work hard in the offseason. A high level work ethic and strong team mindset will help for us to build together as we move forward.

Q: I know that you have a small team this year with a lot of newcomers, tell me a little more about the team dynamic?

A: Like you said, we have a really small team. What's great is that we have only one senior, Hi'i, and she is a great leader for all of us. But since the team is so small, it gives everyone a chance to step up and be a leader which is really nice for some of the younger players to gain that responsibility and experience. It has also become very easy for us to be very close in and out the water.

Q: What were your goals for your junior year?

A: For water polo, they were just to constantly improve. We have a really young team, so it has been very cool to see how far we've grown this season. I am really excited to see what we can do next year and build and improve with adding more girls next year.

Q: Could you tell us a little more about what you like about Oxy?

A: Well I'm a Sociology major and public health minor, which are both very interesting to me. I really enjoyed my class with Professor Potts about natural disasters and how they affect communities and people differently. It was really cool to me because I'm fascinated by natural disasters, but it opened me up to social circumstances and preexisting conditions that play into these effects. I'm also a tour guide at Oxy and I love Los Angeles, and how easy it is to get off campus and explore L.A.

Q: What was your trip abroad to Spain like?

A: Going abroad was my favorite thing I've done at Oxy. I initially did not speak much Spanish, but I stayed with a host family that didn't speak any English. Initially this was a shock to me, but I learned so much and felt so immersed in the culture this way as I got really close with the family. My classes were about Spanish history, cinema, and culture which I loved. I know it's cliché but I grew up a lot and became more independent and learned so much about myself and other cultures.

Q: What are your plans after Oxy?

A: I really enjoy public health and am interested in working for a non-profit in L.A. potentially in affordable housing.

Q: What about this career interests you and where do you see yourself in the future?

A: I want to get my master's in public health and may join the peace corps after Oxy.

Q: Why the peace corps?

A: Because I'm interested in public health, particularly in developing countries. I think it would be a great experience to learn a lot about myself and more about public health around the world. It would give me the opportunity to give back and help others in need.