Natasa SAVOVIC (SRB) | My International Student-Athlete Experience

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.”

— Natasa SAVOVIC

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

Helena PERIC | My International Student-Athlete Experience

Helena PERIC | My International Student-Athlete Experience

First, a little background on you and the school...

• Your full name:
  Helena Peric 


• Your country of origin?
  Serbia


• Name of your college/university?
  Missouri State University West Plains & University of California Riverside 


• This school is in...
  USA


• ...your sport?
  Volleyball, 


• ..your jersey # ?
  24


• ...received a scholarship?
  Full Athletic


• ...enter your major(s):
  Media and Cultural Studies with Film Production


• ...select your status in school:
  Senior


• Lastly, please enter your profile link from your school’s team: http://gohighlanders.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3440&path=wvball

Tell your experience BEFORE you got to your foreign school...

• ...how difficult was it to decide to go to a foreign school?
  4


• ... If you knew what you know NOW... how difficult would it have been to decide to go to a foreign school??
  5


• What were the main things that convinced you to choose to go to a foreign school? :)
  The opportunity to play the sport I love and go to school at the same time


• ...What, if any, were the difficulties in choosing to go to a foreign school?
  Paperwork takes time and costs a lot of money but it is nothing compare what is waiting for you after...


• ... and how did you overcome these obstacles to get to a foreign school?
  My parents and coaches from the USA helped me a lot.


• ... how helpful were the staff at the school with getting you admitted?
  10


• What things  helped you get everything done to get to a foreign school?
  My coach from Junior college helped me get everything done.


•  

Lastly, your experience at your foreign school...

• ...your happiness with international student-athletics?
  9


• ...What, if any, were the difficulties to adjust to life in your school’s country?
  The language might be a little difficult at the beginning and getting use to completely different culture.


• ... and how did you overcome these obstacles to adjust to school life?
  My teammates were always there for me. I met a lot of amazing people who were there for me for anything I need.


• ...What were your best experiences in your foreign school?
  Meeting some of my best friends, getting educated, travel all around the country, playing D1 volleyball with people from all around the world... 


• Anything else you’d like to mention?
  This is a great opportunity for everyone who loves sports and school at the same time. It is great experience to help you succeed in life and grow as a person. I would highly recommend this to everyone who is not afraid to try something new.


• Did you enjoy talking about this?
  Yes


• Would you be interested in an international athlete network?
  Yes


• Do you plan to be a PRO in your sport after college?
  Yes

#35 A Top 16 Freestyler In The World Gives Back with Nikola "DJOTA" MILOSEVIC

#35 A Top 16 Freestyler In The World Gives Back with Nikola "DJOTA" MILOSEVIC

Athlete Case Study | March 19, 2015
A 20 year old professional football freestyler and student of College of Tourism in Belgrade. Performed over 300 times at various events. The winner of bronze medal from European Championship in Budapest (2013) and top 16 in the World in Challenge.

Listen ON-THE-GO (00:47:49) NOW -or- mobile via iTunes | Stitcher | TuneIn Apps!

BACKGROUND

Today we will be talking with an extremely talented professional fútbol freestyler. After playing fútbol for several years he decided to take his skills and pursue in a similar yet very different craft. “Djota” will share with us some of his strengths, as well as some of his weaknesses and what he does as well as what he can do better to achieve his goals of being the best at his craft. Not only is Djota very talented, but he is a generous individual that doesn’t only add value by showing off his gift, but he gives away his money to those
living out on the streets.

BIO

• Born, Nikola Milosevic, from Smederevo, Serbia.

• Grew up playing soccer for 7 years; eventually quit and began freestyling
  He was a little more fortunate than other kids while growing up and had the opportunity to travel to different parts of the world.

• Was a student at the College of Tourism in Belgrade, Serbia

• After 4 years of practicing, Nikola learned that he could do this as a profession, travel, and make money

PERSONAL QUOTE

“Just play, have fun, enjoy the game.” -Michael Jordan

 

Key Mentors 
“I learned on my own...parents and friends were very supportive.”

 

Key Discussion Points:

• What was one of your struggles and how did you overcome it?

• When was one of your biggest failures?

• When was your light bulb moment?

• When was one of your proudest moment in life so far?

• What are you most excited about these days?

Key Lessons

• Always find ways to keep a positive mind despite any family struggles you may have

• Don’t let outside influences get you off track

• You have to accept struggles during the process of trying to achieve goals

“..that feeling when you feel really tired and all you want is to go home and get some sleep, but your mind doesn’t let you do that because you want to achieve your goals and the only way to do that is to struggle.” NM @ 12:36

• You might not achieve a goal in one day, it may take 3 years but you have to trust the process

• If you want something, do everything you necessary to get it

“All I have to do is practice really hard, because I think I have what it takes to be one of the best..I know I have something and I know I won’t stop until I achieve that.” NM @ 19:07

• It’s important to visualize/see yourself achieving the goal you have made for yourself

“If you can imagine that in your head, and if that goal is in your head it will push your body to your limit.” NM @ 20:46

Listen ON-THE-GO (00:47:49) NOW -or- mobile via iTunes | Stitcher | TuneIn Apps!

DJOTA’S TIP JAR

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
You can do it, just believe.

When do you go through self doubt and how do you get passed those thoughts?
When it gets lonely during training..telling myself to keep working and not to give up.

A personal habit that has contributed most to your success so far?
Self evaluation/self criticism

One thing you would like to improve about yourself?
Being more emotional

Biggest strength?
Being positive and having extreme focus

Biggest weakness?
My mind; sometimes it is a strength, sometimes it is a weakness

If you had a do over, having learned everything you know now, with all of the your current resources (ESS, Beyond Athletic Podcasts, Mentors, etc.), what would you do differently?
Practice not only hard, but practicing smart

Adding Value to Others?
I make money on the street for the people on the street; I give the money I make on the street to the homeless

Recommended
BEYOND ATHLETIC's (ELITE² ) CHALLENGES

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All Photos of Nikola Courtesy of Miloš Jaksić © 2015

FOLLOW GUEST HERE:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

Definition of an Athlete?

"Being healthy, physically and mentally prepared for things to come...being a good person and knowing the differences throughout the word"

11 | Don't Be Afraid To Change Your Life Before Going Pro with Milica KUBURA (Part 2)

Listen NOW to the FULL EPISODE! (30m:26s)

How many 14 years old leave their country to study abroad? Well Milica KUBURA is one of them…

She contact me through my sports agency Elite Volley Agency & non-profit Elite Sport Students project.

She asked for help getting to a US college. I told her she shouldn’t have to pay an agent OR ANYONE for doing any of this because her education is MOST important. We put together a CV with her transcripts & all other documents. I sent it off to my network in the USA of over 1400 coaches and she received in the next weeks a TON of interest. JACKPOT! 

Well what made her decide to go to the US? Why did she live alone in Italy as a Serbian girl at the age of 14? Find out in this episode. 

Leave a Review & Subscribe to #BeyondAthletic in iTunes so other can find us too! Share this with one person you think could benefit the most...

Listen NOW to the FULL EPISODE! (30m:26s)

About Milica KUBURA

This is the 2nd part of episode 7 with Milica KUBURA of Florida State University Seminole women's sand & indoor teams.

She is a 19 year old from Serbia who lived in Italy alone at 14 years old for school... and now again in the USA.

She is a former Serbian Junior National Team player.

Talks about her reasons for leaving Serbia for her education and more opportunities than Serbia can provide for her.Give tips and advice about how to do what she did, what makes her successful and daily routines.

LEAVE A REVIEW & Subscribe to #BeyondAthletic in iTunes so other can find us too! Share this with one person you think could benefit the most...

Listen NOW to the FULL EPISODE! (30m:26s)

Key Discussion Points:

Part 1: 

• What’s her story and how she got into sports?
• What else she’s interested in?
• What did she struggle with in sports?
• Why was it important that she go to a great school while playing volleyball?
• What is her advice for international students that want to go to school in America?
• What are her goals?

Part 2:

• What were your fears/worries before going to the USA?
• What was a lightbulb moment that changed your life?
• What's a typical day & week @ school in the USA?
• What level is Division 1 NCAA school volleyball in the USA?
• What's your advice for student-athletes?
• How do you add value to people?
• What's your next goal?

Key Lessons:

Part 1:

• See Here

Part 2:

• America offered more than she ever imagined.

"I had no idea of the US... where I would go... how things work... will i fit in the team?"

• The best opportunity is always recognized publicly by others.

"When I decided to come to America...it completely changed my life!"

• Routines are important to her success.
• Watching video of herself playing is "extremely helpful."
• The level of play in US D1 NCAA volleyball is much higher than expected

"Lots of people (in Serbia) think school (in America) is a joke but that's NOT it at all... It's just BETTER ORGANIZED... So things seem easier"

• Many players go from US schools into top professional clubs
• Make changes if you want to live a great life that you want

"I think everybody should believe in ourselves... and follow our minds & hearts. I know that lots of people are afraid to make changes in their lives BUT THEY SHOULDN'T. "

"Don't be afraid to change your life!"

• Find people that do what you're interested in and talk with them about it.

"I encourage people to talk to people that are already (in the US) because that helps a lot!"

Listen NOW to the FULL EPISODE! (30m:26s)

ATHLETE's TIPJAR

One personal habit to contributes to athlete's health:
Drinking a glass of hot water every morning.

Overcomes fear of failure by:
Taking "centering breaths" 

• 6-7 second breath in thru your nose & 8-10 seconds out through your mouth.
  "I tried it and it REALLY helps!" - Milica Kubura
• Smiling
• Singing in her head

Athlete's advice:
Not To Stress about anything. "Everything happens for a reason... & since I started thinking of that everything is much easier."

Best Advice ever received:
"If you work hard nobody can stop you & there are people who are gonna hate you because you're successful.. or people are gonna talk bad about you BUT at the end of the day the MOST important thing is YOUR opinion of about yourself & what YOU are doing... How much effort are you putting in your work... and EVERY SINGLE THING IS GOING TO PAY OFF!"

Athlete's Learning Resource:
http://www.andrijageric.com (Mental Training & More by Former Olympic Serbian)

Most grateful for:
Support from her family.

How athlete add's value to others:
Community Service
Talking to people everyday & getting to know them

Athlete's favorite hobby:
Singing

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INFO

Charity/Organizations They Add Value to:
Schools & Children's Hospitals by visiting and talking to young children

Business/Work:
None. Student-Athlete

Past/Current Teams: 
Red Star (Crvena Zvezda, Belgrade, Serbia), Serbian JR National Team & Florida State University (Indoor & Sand Teams)

Past Schools:
 

Recommended Guest:

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Follow Athlete Here:
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Florida State University Profile

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