The Athletic American Dream
Explore the American Dream! Many young International Athletes would really like to explore the Athletic American Dream by playing their favorite sport. If they are promising athletes, that is possible by receiving an Athletic Scholarship. Playing sports while studying in the United States is still on a lot of young athletes’ wish list. After all, the US is globally considered as the mecca for College Sports!
Making those dreams come true is not very easy and requires a lot of steps. For the ones who qualify academically and athletically, getting recruited by an American College or University and being granted an Athletic Scholarship might be well worth all the hustle. Be aware though, that it is hard work. Make sure that you have the support of loved ones to help during the process.
In this blogpost, Reppin Hoopers will bring up five questions. These can help you determine if following your dream of playing Collegiate sports and studying in the United States is realistic. All tips are based on the experiences of International Athletes. These athletes were interviewed for this article and are current and former International Athletes who have gone before you.
Explore the American Dream
Where do you start?
After you have convinced yourself and your family members that this is the path you would like to pursue, there are some important steps to take. Before even considering Colleges or Universities of your choice, upload plenty of quality video highlights about your sports performances on social media platforms. All Coaches who are recruiting future athletes will look into this first. Make sure their first glimpse of you is going to have a lasting impact!
Once you notice that Coaches start showing genuine interest, get your Academic transcripts translated and evaluated by an accredited evaluation service. In order to be admitted into College, all US and International students will be required to take the SAT test, which is a standardized test. Some Colleges might require you to take the TOEFL test as well.
Getting further in the recruiting process, when you have your schools of preference lined up, get ready for a Campus visit. Plan a trip to the US with your parent(s) to tour the school, see the sporting facilities and meet the Coaching staff and current players. If you manage to go during the regular season, you can also visit one of their games. Making the effort to go overseas while checking out the Colleges on your list is extremely important. You are trying to sign up for a four year unknown adventure in a country halfway around the world… a very big decision so to speak!
One of the last steps that requires your full attention after committing to the school of your dreams, is applying for your F-1 Visa for Academic Students. Contact the US Embassy or US Consulate in the country you live and start the visa-process as soon as you can. Your future College will further advise you on other needed paperwork. For example the NCAA and NAIA need to have your eligibility cleared before you start school.
Explore the American Dream
What are my goals?
The most popular sports that International students seek an Athletic Scholarship for are Basketball, Field hockey, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis and Volleyball. Not quite surprising, location wise there is often a preference for sunny states like Florida and California. Yet the most important factors to determine a College of preference are Academics and Athletics.
Regarding Academics, you should get a feel for what subject you are interested in studying. Which programs are offered at the school(s) of interest and what will that study bring you in the future? The majority of International Student Athletes return to their country of origin after their College experience. Which studies will help you most in starting the next chapter?
When it comes to Athletics, there are a lot of important factors to consider. Find out for which Association the school plays (NCAA, NAIA or JUCO) and at what level (NCAA I, II or III). You also want to look into which Conference the sports team is competing in. Do research on the Coaching Staff and the Head Coach and look at the current team’s roster. Find out if other International Athletes are there, representing the team.
Regarding the choice of school, define your goals for the first year and the years to follow. Even though a school grants you with an Athletic Scholarship, there are no guarantees for the full four years. If you end up not being a good enough student or athlete, you might loose your scholarship. Many International Student Athletes deal with the stress of switching schools during their adventure. Also something you shouldn’t take lightly. Always consider to have more than just your perfect plan in mind. Unfortunately in four years there are a lot of moving parts that can derail your perfect plan.
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Explore the American Dream
Challenges for foreign students
Of course every athlete will run into their own set of challenges. The ones that are most heard among International Student Athletes are more related to social aspects than athletic or academic ones. Understanding the language and the right pronunciation of words, even though most have learned English in High school, was a point brought up often.
The biggest challenge for most International student athletes is missing family and loved ones. This is a common feeling for anyone who starts over in a strange country and a new culture. Not having a solid group of people who you can count on when things get tough is difficult. Homesickness and trying to understand cultural differences (like for example racism, politics, immigration and religions ) is hard for any adult having moved to the US. For young adults this can add on an extra layer of stress. International Student Athletes have to grow up real fast on their own.
It takes time to make friends and learn who you can trust. Of course sports helps but also within a team there can be jealousy among team members. Most International Students I talked to, shared that the Student Athletes they bond with the easiest and earliest are often other International Athletes.
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Explore the American Dream
Advice for future athletes
Many International Student Athletes have gone before you and have a lot of valuable advice. They can help you with learning what to expect, how to prepare yourself and tips on making the best out of this great adventure. Before you leave for the US, see if through social media you can connect with other International athletes. Knowing to have some people in your corner, helping you with practical things and making you feel welcome is a great way to start this exciting journey.
Once your school year starts, you will find out how fast you mature and grow. Learning to become independent, taking care of your laundry and making your own food. But also being disciplined about schoolwork without any of your family members around, asks for a mindset and mentality that reflects independence and responsibility.
Going after an Athletic Scholarship is not for everyone, which current and former International Student Athletes will admit. On the other side, the ones that have gone before you, will tell you that it is worth every hurdle you had to take this experience of a lifetime. Be prepared to work really hard, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Don’t doubt yourself that you aren’t going to make it. There are so many different schools and programs out there and there will be a right fit for you!
The memories, life lessons and friendships that have formed you will be something that you can continue to use in your professional career. Whether that is still in the sport you love or something completely different. Even though the road might not be easy, try to get as much information as you can. Start creating your network of athletes that also go after this same Dream. Knowing and feeling there is a community out there for you is important! When time differences and life circumstances make it impossible to be with your close family, they are there to comfort and help you.
Social Media Profile Picture
REPPIN HOOPERS designs Personalized Profile Drawings repping you in your favorite sport. You can use these drawings as a profile on your Social Media outlets and get more attention. Make your profile stand out from the pack!
Explore the American Dream
Thanks, current and future foreign Students!
First of all, a huge Shout out to all the International Student Athletes who helped me write this post. The insight and perspective coming from within, is so valuable for the next group of athletes who would love to follow in your footsteps.
For all of you, who are currently studying and playing sports in the US, I am extremely proud you made your dream come through! For the ones who are about to start that dream or are in the process of preparing for it, I am rooting for you!
Know you are not alone in this and feel free to reach out to me any time. I am based on the West Coast, in the United States. I would love to follow and support your Sports and Academic Journey. Not only because Sports unites us, but most of all because I have experienced part of your journey. I know and have experienced first hand that emigrating and making your dream come through in the USA is not always easy…
