Natasa SAVOVIC (SRB) | My International Student-Athlete Experience
“It is great to be able to learn about other parts of the world and to meet other cultures.”
First, a little background on you and the school...
Your full name: Natasa Savovic Your country of origin? Serbia
Your last team in your home country before attending school internationally? OK Radnicki Beograd
Name of your college/university? Coastal Carolina University
...This school is in... USA
...your sport? Volleyball, ..your jersey # ? 3
...received a scholarship? Yes, Full Athletic (means basically free school)
...enter your major(s): Applied Mathematics
...select your status in school: Junior
PERSONAL profile link from your school’s website:
http://www.goccusports.com/sports/w-volley/mtt/natasa_savovic_975702.html
Tell your experience BEFORE you got to your foreign school...
...what or who helped you in your process of deciding/getting to a foreign school:
Another Student-Athlete(s)
...how difficult was it to decide to go to a foreign school out of 10 (Most happy)? 5
... If you knew what you know NOW... how difficult would it have been to decide to go to a foreign school out of 10 (Most difficult)??
6, because it was really difficult for me to leave all my family and friends and go to far country where I don't know anyone. American culture is a lot different then my own, so now when I know that nobody and nothing can replace presence of those people it is even harder than before I left Serbia.
What were the main things that convinced you to choose to go to a foreign school? :)
Being able to attend university and play sport in the same time.
...What, if any, were the difficulties in choosing to go to a foreign school?
Getting all paperwork done, paying for tests/flights/visa, studying for tests
... and how did you overcome these obstacles to get to a foreign school?
I just focus on great opportunities that studying abroad can offer
... how helpful were the staff at the school with getting you admitted out of 10 (Most helpful)? 7
What things helped you get everything done to get to a foreign school?
Researching on internet, communication with people with experience of studying in foreign school
Why did you decide to go to a foreign school?
Because it can offer much more opportunities than studying in my own country of Serbia.
Lastly, What was your experience at your foreign school...
...your happiness with international student-athletics out of 10 (Most happy)? 10
...What, if any, were the difficulties to adjust to life in your school’s country?
Being far away from my country, my friends and family.
... and how did you overcome these obstacles to adjust to school life?
I was focusing on the positive things of being part of this school.
...What were your best experiences in your foreign school?
Winning the Big South conference championship with my volleyball team.
Anything else you’d like to mention?
It is great to be able to learn about other parts of the world and to meet other cultures.
Would you be interested in an international athlete network? No
Do you plan to be a PRO in your sport after college? Yes