USA College Myths and Hardships as an International Student Athlete

USA College is a great opportunity, but as with any path you take, there are things to consider. In this article, you will learn about myths and assumptions people make regarding university life in the USA. Furthermore, you will get familiar with potential hardships that you can encounter along the way.

Myths

• You Need a Lot of Money to Study in the US

With the scholarship opportunities available, anyone can find their place and afford the opportunity of studying in the USA. Scholarships that the universities offer can cover your tuition fees (the cost of academics), housing, meal plan, books, training equipment, cost of attendance (additional money that you can use for your expenses), student health insurance, and athletic insurance. The conditions of your scholarship depend on the university divisions which they are and their funds and scholarship opportunities available.

• You Can’t Play Professional Sports if You Go to College:

During your time in the university, you have all the resources to develop further as an athlete, to gain exposure, and to build connections. Many coaches are collaborating with sports agents and can help you find a manager who will help you with your professional sports career afterwards. College offers you all the resources you need to improve as an athlete while also preparing you for life beyond sports.

• If your visa gets rejected, you can not reapply

While most students are granted a visa, there are some cases where it’s denied. However, if that happens, you can usually reapply and succeed the next time around. This process depends on a case-by-case basis, but it’s very important to have all your documents in order when going in for an interview. The visa can be issued for 1 year up to 5 years when speaking about the F1 student visa. The length of a visa depends on the government policy and varies by country. If your visa is not issued for the full duration of the university degree, do not worry. It is normal and part of the process. If this is the case, the second time around the interview will most likely not be needed, and you will be able to mail your passport to get the visa extended, all with the guidance from the USA Embassy in your country.

Hardships of University Life

• Cultural differences

At times, you might feel like you don’t quite belong due to the differences in values and culture. It’s completely normal to experience this, especially at first, as adjusting to a new environment can take time. In these situations, you can approach them with curiosity and understand differences as well as similarities that you share with others. Have grace with yourself and take your time to immerse yourself in this enriching experience.

• Homesickness

You’ll likely miss your family and friends. Being far from home can be tough, but it is completely normal to experience it. With time, you will form your own circle at the university, and you will have people you can trust and enjoy spending time with. What helps a lot is arriving at the university and already being a part of the team as an athlete. This immediately puts you in a great position for adaptation and exploration of the new environment with the people who are in the same shoes as you are.

• Different Sports Rules

The rules of sports in the US may differ from those in your home country. This can be an adjustment period as you familiarize yourself with new systems. What I mean by this is that in volleyball, for example, there are more substitutes available, warm-up is set up differently, having only one team warm up on the court at a time, and being able to play after the ball touches the ceiling. These are all very easy to pick up, since it does not change the essence of the game, but simply some things are done differently, or a few rules are altered.

• Language Barrier 

You might sometimes struggle with certain words or phrases, or feel self-conscious about your accent. But trust me, accents are quite often amusing for others, and people are generally very respectful of the fact that you speak multiple languages. Do not shy away, and with time, you will not even think about it anymore. I have met students who barely spoke English once they came to the university, but it did not prevent them from learning and succeeding in the classroom, in conversations, or sports. Remember how brave and strong you are, and embrace the new challenges that will help you grow.

• Adaptation Period

Depending on a person, each adaptation period is different. For me, it usually took about a month or two to adapt and begin enjoying the experience. It’s all about taking it all in and gradually realizing what’s happening around you. Once you add your personal touches to the room, and some time passes, it begins to feel like your home. You will also meet friends, everything will start to fall into place. Being a part of the team makes the whole process much easier, since you are already joining a community. Furthermore, being an athlete will connect you with other athletes, and you will also find similarities and shared experiences with other international students.

• Body Changes

Adjusting to a new training regimen and different food can cause fluctuations in your body weight. Be mindful of this, as it happens to many students. Keep track of your health, so you can address any changes that may feel uncomfortable. While I was researching university life, I kept seeing “Freshman 15” and was wondering what this means. And what it means is that freshmen tend to gain 15 pounds in their first year of college. This equals almost 7 kilograms. As an athlete, you will have your training regime, so you will be more active than students, but I still wanted you to be aware. The cafeteria is a beautiful place since you will always find some friends and sit down, talking while new friends are joining in, but also having all of the food at hand with unlimited supplies could lead to increased weight. I have gained 4-5 kilograms and lost it in my 5th year of college. Again, this is normal, and the body is going through changes. With the new food, new environment, and new training, it is going through adjustments as well. If you find it challenging to find what to eat and can not adjust to the new food culture, reach out to the nutritionist on campus, who is one of many resources available to you on campus.

We broke down myths and hardships that college life as an international student athlete brings. Having an open mind and heart will aid you greatly during the times where you feel stuck or get into your thoughts or emotions.

If you need additional help and guidance on how to navigate any of the challenges that occur, there are resources on campus where you can find someone to talk to and lead you through the challenge.

Get in touch with us if you need any additional advice or guidance!