Sounds great?
There are many good reasons why you should study and play volleyball at a college in the USA or Canada:
Combining education and sports
Nowhere else is it possible to combine the highest level of education and sports. Coaches and professors work closely together, creating a supportive environment for their student athletes.
Talented players will have the chance to develop on and off the court under professional conditions. In addition to modern facilities, an experienced staff of head coaches, assistant coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, team managers and physiotherapists/athletic trainers are always on hand, making sure that everything is organized and taken care of.
Moreover, it’s fun to travel all over the country with your international volleyball team.
SPECTACULAR MATCH ATMOSPHERE
The atmosphere at a college volleyball competition is unique and thrilling. A typical sports arena is huge and packed with enthusiastic students and fans.
Many teams have their own fan clubs, marching bands, cheerleaders, dance groups and much more, creating a spectacular feeling of exhilaration. College matches are broadcast via television, radio and the internet, reaching a high number of viewers, so don’t be surprised when people suddenly recognize you on campus or outside of school.
ATTRACTIVE SCHOLARSHIPs
Remember all of the hard training, year in, year out? Now the work is literally paying off as most scholarships are worth six-digit figures.
A full scholarship covers most expenses in the US, such as tuition (school fees), books, meals, housing and training equipment as well as travel costs, hotels and meals at away games. The average value ranges from 20,000 to 69,000 US dollars PER YEAR and usually gets renewed until you’ve obtained your bachelor’s or master’s degree.
While female players have a high chance of being granted a full scholarship in the USA, male players should only expect a partial scholarship depending on the budget and recruiting needs of the school.
The Canadian CIS league also provides partial scholarships to male and female players. Tuition is mostly covered while students are responsible for housing and meals.
Personal Growth
Imagine flying to a new country, barely speaking the language and everything seeming to be from out of space.
Suddenly you’re surrounded by a different culture and landscape, different people, different architecture and different food while meeting your new volleyball team and coaches. You then walk into your new classrooms with a variety of subjects, teachers and tasks. And all of this is happening far away from close family and friends.
Yes, such a scenario can be scary and overwhelming, BUT imagine the feeling that arises when you realize you’re able to overcome these initial fears and master all of these challenges. This is exactly when you grow and develop, when you leave your comfort zone.
This courage will be highly rewarded with more self-confidence and personal development, which will be valuable throughout your life.
PERSPECTIVES AND NETWORK
An internationally accredited bachelor’s or master’s degree, fluent English skills and the experience of living in a foreign country are always a big plus for future job applications.
Being a student athlete requires discipline, effort, time management, adaptability and team work as well as good communication and leadership skills, all of which are invaluable for any job.
In addition, various school projects with international companies and internships will enhance and broaden your global contacts, and some friendships you make will last a lifetime.
Overall, as a student athlete you will grow as a player and person and learn a lot about yourself, others and life in general.
