International student-athletes enjoy life at UDM
Simon Zahra
Issue date: 12/3/08 Section: Sports
|
With the school introducing such new sports this year as men and women's lacrosse and men's tennis, the student-athlete numbers have increased and the university is recruiting more international athletes.
More than a dozen athletes from other countries occupy spots on current Titan rosters. Most come from Canada, but a wide variety of other countries are represented, among them Croatia, Serbia, Latvia, Russia, the Bahamas, Sweden and Australia.
Canadian Adam Philp, a freshman from Windsor, Ontario, plays on the men's soccer team and has his reasons for choosing UDM. "I came to UDM because it is not that far from home," said Philp, "and I wanted to play division one soccer."
Philp is on an athletic scholarship. Like Philp, Svetlana Flankova, a junior from Riga, Latvia, is also on an athletic scholarship (for the women's tennis team).
"I was offered a scholarship to attend UDM, which helped make my decision," said Flankova. "The great academics UDM is renowned for also was a key factor as to why I came here."
Flankova's fellow countryman, Pjotrs Necajevs, a junior also from Riga, was a big recruit for the men's tennis team.
"I am thankful for all that I have here at UDM and being offered a scholarship to play the sport that I love," said Necajevs. "Because UDM is a relatively small campus, I find it very convenient to get around. I feel the personal attention students get from their professors here is also a huge benefit."
Another international athlete is Luke Paneccasio, a senior from Sydney, Australia, who plays on the men's soccer team. Paneccasio appreciates the fact that he finds himself at UDM.
"Yeah, I wasn't too happy at my old school, Calvin University," said Paneccasio, "and I had a mate that already played on the men's soccer team at UDM who put in a good word for me and I was able to transfer to this school."
Even though international athletes find themselves far from home, many manage to visit their homeland every year. Flankova and Necajevs visit Latvia twice a year.
"I normally go home twice a year," said Flankova, "for Christmas and in the summer."
Paneccasio manages to travel down under in the summer every year. "Because it's a lengthy and costly process, I really only head back home for the summer break," he said.
Philp, on the other hand, visits home frequently. "Yeah, I guess I'm a little luckier than other international students," said Philp. "I go home every few weeks, between semesters and at the end of the year."
UDM accommodates these international students, as well as many others, by offering athletic and academic scholarships. These scholarships may include tuition, room and board, textbooks, and additional financial aid.
These are the benefits that entice international students to come to UDM, giving our school a more multi-cultural environment.
Be the first to comment on this story