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Matlyn 鈥淢attie鈥� Drucker is a graduate student in Global Communications at The American University of Paris and a former player on the French National Ultimate Frisbee Team. Through the intersection of sports and academia, Mattie has cultivated a life defined by resilience, intercultural communication, and building community. Her journey, which spans international tournaments, cultural immersion, and student leadership, embodies the essence of one of AUP鈥檚 core educational beliefs: experiential learning.聽聽

Mattie鈥檚 journey began at Vassar College, where she double majored in French and International Studies. Her love for language and culture was matched by an unexpected discovery鈥擴ltimate frisbee, which she first encountered during her first week on campus at a party hosted by all the Vassar College frisbee teams. The catch? Entry to the party required signing up for Monday鈥檚 practice. Wanting to meet people, she added her name without hesitation. That Monday, she showed up to practice鈥攎ore out of curiosity than commitment鈥攁nd ended up getting hooked. What started as a social activity quickly grew into a defining passion. Over time, these two threads鈥攈er academic focus on French and her deepening commitment to frisbee鈥攊ntertwined and ultimately guided her to France, and later, to AUP.聽

After her time at Vassar College, Mattie moved to Paris through the Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF), spending two years teaching English. Looking to stay connected to her sport, she joined YAKA Ultimate, one of France鈥檚 top women鈥檚 Ultimate frisbee teams, and later earned a spot on the French National Team. In 2024, she competed at the World Ultimate Championships in Gold Coast, Australia, 鈥渁n unforgettable experience,鈥� she says, that brought together teams from across the globe. The tournament was a celebration of diversity, with translators assisting with multilingual communication, cultural exchanges on and off the field, and a tradition that is unique to the sport called the 鈥渟pirit circle,鈥� where teams reflected on sportsmanship and gifted each other tokens from their home countries. For Mattie, it wasn鈥檛 just about competition, it was a lesson in the power of community. Though adjusting to life in France came with challenges, Ultimate frisbee became her anchor, helping her build a deep sense of belonging.聽聽

Mattie chose AUP鈥檚 Masters in Global Communications (MAGC) program for its alignment with her wide-ranging interests in culture, strategy, and creativity. The program鈥檚 flexibility matched her pluralistic mindset, allowing her to explore diverse fields while staying rooted in France. At AUP, she discovered how the transferable skills she honed on the frisbee field, such as teamwork, intercultural communication, and strategic thinking, translated seamlessly into the classroom. Additionally, experiential learning took center stage through hands-on courses in graphic design and coding, and a transformative study trip to Iceland, where she explored national identity and branding beyond the realm of sports.聽

As the current Graduate Student Council President at AUP, Mattie has focused on building community through initiatives like department mixers, garden parties, and the creation of a dedicated Graduate Student Committee. Balancing academics, leadership, and athletic training required discipline and tough choices; her social life often took a backseat to the commitments she prioritized. In Ultimate, she confronted gender-based challenges and often found herself underestimated or sidelined in mixed-gender play. It was through high level women鈥檚 teams like YAKA and role models like rugby player Ilona Maher that she reclaimed her space and strength. Her journey shows how leadership on the field and in academia are not separate paths, but reflections of the same core values: resilience, intercultural communication, and building community.聽

From competing on the world stage in Australia to leading within AUP鈥檚 graduate community, Mattie exemplifies experiential learning in action. As she looks ahead to her next chapter, she brings with her the confidence and insight shaped by every challenge, every classroom, and every field she has stepped onto.聽