Collingwoodfc.com.au is giving supporters from around the world the chance to share their experiences following the mighty Pies. Morgan Pumpa, who is currently studying in Hawaii, is a former Collingwood College student, which is only a Sav Rocca torpedo from Victoria Park.

To share your story with us, email digitalmedia@collingwoodfc.com.au and tell your tale of following Collingwood from abroad.

In 2012, I undertook an exchange to Hawaii Pacific University, in downtown Honolulu, where I study Marine Biology and Journalism. Completing only half of the 12 months in paradise I’m currently traveling through mainland (rather than returning to winter in Australia), before returning to O’ahu to complete my second semester abroad.

From grade three until graduation I was a student at Collingwood College, where Collingwood football players visited on Wednesday mornings to talk to students and sign autographs. I was always first one at school on these mornings, sometimes before teachers arrived, eager to meet the players.

I have always been a devoted Collingwood fan, following after my grandfather, father and oldest brother. Every week my Dad and I would tough out any weather and any team to see the mighty Magpies, as well as take a holiday to Sydney when Collingwood played away.

When leaving Australia I knew I was going to have to survive a whole season without attending a match, but it didn’t hit me until watching the ANZAC Day match just how much I missed the atmosphere of a game at the ‘G.

Dressed up in black and white, including my guernsey I bought from home, I watched the ANZAC day match in my college dorm room on my 13-inch laptop screen.

I spent all afternoon trying to find a website to stream the game live, but had no luck until I finally got a website working moments before the first bounce, my heart pounding with excitement. I warned my two roommates ahead of the time that I may get vocal, as I knew it was going to be a very entertaining game.

By the end of the match I had both roommates jumping and screaming when the final siren blew and we had won the game. Although they weren’t able to understand the game, they found it exciting nonetheless.

I made sure I had some Collingwood posters on my wall in my dorm and soon girls (and guys) were asking questions on who the players were, and where they could find them. Both my roommates decided upon their future husbands, in Ben Sinclair and Josh Thomas.

As the year progresses I enjoy watching CTV as well as weekly interviews of players and updates from Nathan Buckley. While I travel the mainland I take my Collingwood jumper with me every step of the way, but have met some Melburnians who are not rather fond of Collingwood and become rather disgruntled that I choose to travel with it in my small luggage capacity.

I was hoping that while traveling some sports bars may show some AFL games, but unfortunately nobody has heard of it and only become confused when I try to simplify the rules to better their understanding.

Due to the harsh reality that I am 20-years-old and not allowed in pubs (and after certain times sports bars), watching the game has been limited to hiding in hostel bunks, watching my small laptop screen and keeping noise down; which for any Collingwood fan is impossible.

Past Magpies Abroad