How did you first learn about the opportunity to study and play sports in the U.S.?

I remember being in middle school and hearing stories about two girls - who lived in my hometown and who used to play volleyball at the club where I was playing at the time - how they went to the U.S. to play college volleyball, and I learned a lot about their experience. This was when I first discovered that playing a college sport in the U.S. was a possibility.

What was the recruitment process like for you? Did you work with a coach, agency, or handle it yourself?

At first, I reached out to a girl who was already in college and playing volleyball in the States. I didn’t know her personally at the time, just found her profile on Instagram and thought I’d reach out. She was super kind and helpful, and she sent me the contact of an agent she worked with. I reached out to him, and soon enough, we started the process. The process itself was definitely a lot at first, in regards to the paperwork mostly, but working with an agent at the time made it so much easier because I had someone to guide me through the whole thing and answer any questions I had.

What challenges did you face during the application process (e.g., scholarships, paperwork, visas)?

The biggest challenge for me was definitely the paperwork. There were so many things that had to be done, gathering all my transcripts then translating them to English, completing a TOEFL exam, submitting my vaccination card, and a lot of other intricacies.

What was a typical day like balancing sports, academics, and personal life?

There were definitely differences depending on whether we were in season or not, but in general, I would usually have all my classes in the morning, and some free time between then and practice which I would usually fill out with a good nap! I always liked to go in the training room first and prepare my body for the upcoming practice. After that was dinner and then a good amount of free time that I would spend working on my homework and hanging out with other people. Living in dorm was both really fun and helpful because I lived with all of my teammates and people I had classes with, so it was easy to combine fun and work at the same time.

What were some of the biggest cultural differences or adjustments you experienced?

Food was a big “cultural shock” for me. The portion sizes at restaurants were massive compared to those at home, and lots of things just tasted very greasy to me. However, in time, I got more used to it, but also I had a chance to explore and figure out what kind of food I like to eat there and what worked for me. Luckily, in America, I feel like there is something for anyone, so even if you are a picky eater you’ll find something you like. Another big cultural difference was the time when people would eat. Back home, I ate lunch at around 3/4 PM, but in the States lunch was at 12 PM. Same with dinner - I used to eat it around 8 PM but in the States it was at 5 PM. Again, it was a huge shock at first, but in time, I completely adapted to that regime.

Did playing a sport help you integrate or make friends more easily?

Definitely! With volleyball being a team sport, you get thrown in this group of like 20 people, and you spend most of your time every day with them, so friendships start to form quickly. This was probably my favorite part of the whole experience! I met some pretty amazing people throughout the years.

How did studying and playing sports in the U.S. impact your personal growth?

The whole experience really was a big journey, with lots of ups and downs, and it shaped me into the person I am today. I learned how to take care of myself, become a responsible adult, manage my time efficiently, work with others, and so on. I am very grateful for all the experiences I had while being a student-athlete in the U.S. because it taught me a lot about myself, about people, and just life in general.

What was the biggest challenge you faced as an international student-athlete, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge I had to face as an international student-athlete was being on my own. What I mean by this is being far away from home, family, and everything that was familiar and comfortable to me. There will always be moments in life when things start to get difficult or overwhelming, but when you are thousands of miles away from home it is hard to rely on your family members to get you through it. What helped me overcome these hardships was forming meaningful relationships with people around me. My friends and coaches were a big part of my personal growth.

What’s one thing you wish you had known before starting your journey in the U.S.?

The first thing that comes to mind is the dynamic of a student-athlete life. Balancing school with practices, games, traveling, social life, and in my case a work-study as well, was often tiring, and prior to starting my journey in the U.S. I didn’t know how intense it would be. However, it got a whole lot easier once I figured out how to manage my time best. That was the key.

What advice would you give to international students who dream of studying and playing sports in the U.S.?

There are so many haha! But, to keep it short, some of my best advice would be to, first, start early. As I mentioned already, there are a lot of paperwork and details that need to be handled, so giving yourself time really reduces the stress about it. And my second advice would be - patience. Recruiting can be a lengthy process, and sometimes the schools you are interested in don’t come through, but don’t let that be a discouragement. There are hundreds of colleges in the U.S., and I am sure that everyone can find their fit!