Eastern Michigan University's Robert Campbell, a native
of Jamaica, knows all about the hard work it takes to get
to the Olympic Games.
He knows about the long days once you are there and he
knows how hard it can be in another country to get a nice
shower once each day has ended.
"Most other countries don't have what we have here in
America," he said with his Jamaican accent and always glowing
smile.
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BEIJING BOUND: Robert Campbell, a unit manager
for Eastern Michigan University's Dining Services,
will travel to the Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
He
will spend a month as the manager for USA House,
a
hospitality area for the sponsors, athletes, families
and friends who travel to the games.
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When Campbell flies to Beijing, China, at the end of this
month for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, it will mark the
fourth time he has been invited to participate and represent
his adopted country, not to mention Eastern Michigan University.
And while he is a member of an elite team, you won't see
Campbell on television during the games.
Campbell is one of the select few people who travel to
the games to work. He will spend a month as the manager
for USA House, a hospitality area for the sponsors, athletes,
families and friends who travel to the games.
Clients in his past experiences at Salt Lake City, Greece
and Italy have included the Bush family and hockey star
Wayne Gretzky.
"He (Gretzky) started talking to me and was surprised
that I knew a lot about hockey," Campbell said of his first
encounter with the hockey legend.
The fun of meeting celebrities, tickets to events and
a fully paid trip to China is balanced by work days that
are 10-12 hours long.
Campbell is used to the work, having served as a unit
manager for EMU's Dining Services for the past five years.
Campbell graduated with a master's and bachelor's degree
in hospitality management from EMU before joining the staff
in 2003.
"The University is very supportive," said Campbell of
having to take off for a month in each of his four trips.
Campbell has reciprocated. In each of his Olympic trips,
he has taken students from EMU's hospitality program so
that they could gain valuable experience.
"When I was getting ready to graduate, I had a discussion
with Polly Buchanan (now associate dean of the College
of Technology) and I told her that I wanted to do whatever
I could to help the (hospitality program) grow," said
Campbell.
Traveling to China, cultural differences, safety issues,
and leaving his successful restaurant in Canton, don't
really bother Campbell. Ironically, the name of his restaurant, "Irie",
means 'no problem' in Jamaica.
"I have already started to download Reggae music for the
flight," he said. "This is the longest flight of my life.
I am not a fan of flying."
As for the cultural differences, Campbell embraces meeting
new people.
"You always befriend someone who is from there. It's a
good people experience because it can change your entire
overview of what you see on TV," he said.
The one thing that will make this trip more difficult
is that Campbell will be away from his 3-year-old daughter,
Jordyn, for the first time.
"I know I will be using my cell phone and the Internet
a lot on this trip," Campbell said.
Campbell won't have to worry as much for his next Olympics.
He has already been asked to go to Canada in 2010.
"When I was growing up in Jamaica, all I wanted to do
was come to America. I got here and now I'm getting to
go other places. I am very blessed," he said with a smile.
