#26 - From Australia to Kansas: Izzy’s Freshman Mindset - Staying Grounded, Growing Daily

Izzy is only a few months into her journey as an international student-athlete, but her mindset is already setting her apart.

After arriving from Australia in January 2026, she joined the University of Kansas rowing team with a clear understanding: there’s a lot to learn, and growth takes time. Instead of rushing the process, Izzy embraces a day-by-day approach: staying grounded, realistic, and fully present in the experience.

In this episode, we talk about adjusting to life in the US, the challenges of being far from home, and how keeping the right perspective can make all the difference as a freshman athlete.

This conversation is a reminder that success isn’t about having it all figured out- it’s about showing up, learning, and trusting the journey.

Izzy's Instagram: izzy_rossato

Enjoy the episode!

Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:02

Hello and welcome to the International Student Athlete Podcast.

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The podcast where we aim to inspire and help international student athletes navigate their journeys.

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Whether you're chasing your dream on a high school or college team, planning your next move, or supporting somebody on their journey, you're in the right place.

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Every week we'll bring you real stories, expert tips from professionals in the field, and a little bit of fun to help you navigate life as a student athlete abroad.

SPEAKER_02 0:31

We are your hosts, Nikki and Barb. And we are here to guide you through the world of sports, studies, and everything in between.

SPEAKER_01 0:39

Let's dive in.

unknown 0:48

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 0:49

Welcome back to our podcast. This is Nikki with uh Isabella Rosato today. Uh, Izzy. Um, I guess that's the nickname we can go by today, right? Yes, welcome. Welcome to our podcast. Izzy is from Australia. She's in the University of Kansas rowing team. How are you today?

SPEAKER_00 1:11

I'm very well, thank you. How are you?

SPEAKER_02 1:13

I'm good, thank you. Very excited to talk to you today and about your freshman year experience in the US as an international student athlete. So, would you start us off with introduction and then uh maybe we should go into how did you get into rowing and why did you decide to come to the US?

SPEAKER_00 1:33

Yeah, of course. Um, I guess I've always loved sport, like for as long as I could remember. So it was sort of just a rite of passage from where I'm back home. There's a lot of rowing. A lot of our high schools are centered around a big lake in my hometown of Ballarat, back in Victoria in Australia, a long way away. Um, so it was sort of a little bit of a rite of passage. Lots of people, um, when they get towards the end of year eight, um, start trying uh rowing and get a little bit of a taste for that. And I guess I just put my hand up and was like, yeah, we'll give this a try. Um, and then almost four years later, here I am. So I would have had no idea that this is where it would take me. Um, but I just fell in love with the sport. I think it teaches you so much about yourself, it pushes you to be a better person, um, it makes you become comfortable being uncomfortable, and I love that. I think it just pushes you beyond what you even think is possible. So um, yeah, I just yeah, loved the sport and then uh really started enjoying it as I was getting a little bit older towards the final years of high school in that year 11, year 12, and then it was I remember one regatta in Geelong back in my hometown, uh, and we were thinking uh a little bit more about I guess my future and where I wanted to go, and I knew I wanted to study after school, but it was officially sort of around that mid-year 11 mark that I thought, yeah, this would be pretty amazing to combine travel and rowing and study, and why not just try head over to the US, see what this whole system um would be like, what it would include, and then yeah, about a year and a half, two years later, this is where I am. So it's been a bit of a roller coaster, but definitely an amazing one.

SPEAKER_02 3:11

Yeah, and you what was your first semester in fall, right? That was your first semester in the US?

SPEAKER_00 3:18

Uh spring, actually. I have just arrived in the US in January now, so I'm very new here. I've only been here for maybe about three months, so absolutely thrown into it, but loving every second. Uh, we've come in uh obviously mid-year, mid-academic year, but the start of the official racing season for rowing. So we are in season at the moment, and we have our first race coming up soon. So definitely a um whirlwind of an arrival, but loving it, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 3:45

Super exciting for sure. So, what is your first um you know, first impression of the US when you arrived in January? What was like maybe the biggest shock that you have experienced?

SPEAKER_00 3:59

Oh, biggest shock would be interesting. I would say just small little culture things. So driving on the other side of the road has certainly been something to get used to. I think I'm still sitting in the car and I still panic when we go through the intersection or around the roundabout, and it's the other way. Um, so that's definitely something to wrap my uh head around, that's for sure. Um, in terms of the steering wheel being back to front in the opposite side of the car and everything being on the opposite side. So that was definitely something I was preparing myself for. But until you're actually, I think, on the roads in a car, you're not sort of shocked until you're here. Um, but otherwise, no, everything has been fantastic. My arrival has been so smooth sailing into just transitioning into study and practice and on the team. So, yeah, nothing massively shocking, which has been great, but those little things that are slightly different to Australia.

SPEAKER_02 4:52

No, I'm so glad to hear that. And you mentioned that it's been smooth. Uh, what do you think has helped you to adjust pretty well in very short amount of time?

SPEAKER_00 5:04

Yeah, of course. I think I've always sort of been a little bit of an extrovert. I've always been um, I guess, a bit of an independent person that has found um I can just go and I guess talk to anyone, which um my friends back home might say is a great thing and a bad thing. Um, but definitely I think being able to just uh jump right into a team and just get to know as many people as I can and try new things and take every opportunity when it presents itself has definitely helped um meet new people and feel comfortable in you know a whole new environment so far away from home. So that certainly helped, yes.

SPEAKER_02 5:42

Oh, great. And what made you tools care you as your school?

SPEAKER_00 5:47

Yeah, of course. Um, I still remember hanging out the first call that I had with the recruiting coordinator, the assistant head coach, and I just loved the vibes that I was getting. Um, it was she was so uh understanding in terms of you know differences from Australia to America, uh, never made me feel as if I was dumb or you know, didn't quite understand what was going on. Um, but the program in terms of the direction that it's moving in, I loved. I loved the idea of growing with uh the program and developing as a row as the program develops as well. So that really attracted me. And then in terms of the location, um, we are situated in Lawrence, which is an amazing college town. You know, it's sort of similar size to my hometown, um, but it's just you know a 45-minute drive out of a big city being Kansas City. So, you know, you've got everything right at your fingertips in terms of location and the facilities was a whole nother level in terms of the boathouse and the student athlete center and the fueling and nutrition and everything's right there. So I think in terms of convenience, it was also ticking a lot of boxes in terms of the coaching style that I love too.

SPEAKER_02 6:57

Um, that's amazing. I'm super glad to hear that. Uh, was KU the only school you talked to, or were there more schools?

SPEAKER_00 7:05

Yeah, I was certainly talking to a few others as well. Um, honestly, it was a bit of a variety all over the states in the end. When I look back at it now, there was a few um on different coasts, and then obviously a few um like Kansas, for example, uh right in the center of the states. So definitely there was a variety that I was talking to, which was great in terms of being able to learn what I was looking for in a school and therefore uh helped nail it down and decide, yeah, Kansas is where I would love to go. So definitely um a few others, but Kansas was the one up for me.

SPEAKER_02 7:36

Yeah, that's the way to go. You need to explore your options. But it seems like you knew what you wanted right off the start and kind of had your expectations set up. So do you think KU has um fulfilled those expectations, or you know, in what in terms of expectations overall for the entire US journey, um, are they going the way you have imagined, or is it a bit different?

SPEAKER_00 8:00

Oh, 100%. I think uh I was preparing myself from leaving the uh beautiful warmth and summer of Australia and arriving in winter, that's for sure. Um, so I would say the expectation regarding weather certainly was met. Uh I think it was the first few weeks was lovely, and then suddenly a massive snowstorm came, and for me, I think it was like minus 19 degrees Celsius. I'm not quite sure what the Fahrenheit conversion is just yet.

SPEAKER_02 8:26

But you can't help it there in my waking target.

SPEAKER_00 8:30

Yes, it was definitely a cold few days. Um, in terms of the weather, that was also a little bit of a shock to the system, but we're getting much, much more climatized now, which is good. Um, however, no, there was um really just like I guess I didn't really know 100% what I was walking into in terms of my timeline of uh graduation back home and visits and arrival. I um unfortunately wasn't able to come over for a visit, but felt 100% um comfortable with my decision as I had had so many conversations and calls and tours online um with so many different people. So I think the expectation was uh I was pretty excited, but it certainly has just the bar has just continued to rise rise as I've met so many people and I guess developed a further understanding into different things um that KU has to offer that necessarily I might not have known about beforehand. That's amazing.

SPEAKER_02 9:25

Do you have any other international student athletes on the team, or are you finding it? How are you finding uh the connections, making connections with international student athletes versus domestic students? Is it a bit easier?

SPEAKER_00 9:40

Yeah, certainly. Um yeah, certainly. I think everyone is very mixed, in my opinion. I think on my team we do have a few, for example, uh, even my roommates. I have I'm very fortunate to have my own bathroom and bedroom and sort of our own little space, but in terms of an apartment we share. So I have a girl from Manchester, um, England, in the UK, so um she's amazing to live with, same with another girl from Ukraine. So a few internationals within my own room. Um, however, there are also a few others on the team. There's a couple girls from New Zealand, and then there's a girl from Kenya, and then there's another one from the Czech Republic, so a few others amongst the team, and we actually have another Aussie joining us next year. So a few more growing. Um, but the more I look around and sort of listen to different accents uh amongst the student athlete center, I certainly pick up on different uh internationals that might be on other teams as well. And there's lots of different events that are hosted for student athletes, but then also international student athletes as well. So that certainly helps me connect with others and sort of I guess learn about different cultures but also be able to share my own.

SPEAKER_02 10:46

Yeah, that's amazing. It does help to have you know somebody who goes through the same things you are, and just to share the journey with them and experiences and feelings, and just to talk through um the events of the day. Um so you did arrive very recently, but I wanted to ask you, have you been homesick yet?

SPEAKER_00 11:08

I would say I have been a little bit. I don't think the massive wave has hit me just yet. There's been a few little moments where I guess I might be laying in bed or um a few quiet moments to myself where I think, oh yeah, um, you know, I do miss mum and dad, I do miss home, um, you know, my friends, that routine, that feeling of always knowing what's around the corner or what's down the road. Um that feeling of being comfortable, I certainly do miss a little bit and just home in general. Um, certainly my brothers as well, my dogs, you know, all of those little things that you might take for granted until you leave. Um, so yeah, I would say I've experienced a little bit of homesickness, nothing too dramatic yet, which is good. I think the busy schedule at the moment is sort of uh pushing that away. So that's uh yeah, certainly been good as well.

SPEAKER_02 11:58

Are you planning to go home anytime soon?

SPEAKER_00 12:02

Yeah, I think so. Um over our summer break here. So we have roughly about two and a half, maybe just under three months left of this semester. So we're about to commence spring break um at the end of this week. So that's sort of the halfway mark, and then we have the second half of the semester, and then yes, certainly we'll be able to go home just in time for our winter. So definitely um looking forward to seeing everyone from roughly about three months, which will be great to catch up with everyone.

SPEAKER_02 12:31

You can't escape winter, it looks like. No, I can't. That's okay. As long as you can go home, I feel like that's it will pay off for sure. 100%. Would you um would you walk us through one of your days? Like how does your day look like, especially now in season? And you mentioned you were before we started and you said it's midterms, so I'm just wondering how your day looks like and what helps you to go through the day and you know complete all your tasks without you know being stressed about it.

SPEAKER_00 13:02

Yeah, of course. So typically, I guess um every day is slightly different depending on what class I have, but the typical chunk of the day is uh normally wake up about 5:30, I'll have my first breakfast um and get ready for the day, and then at about 6 a.m. we'll head to the boathouse for our first practice. That sometimes might be a land session if we're on hergs, certainly whilst it's been a little bit colder. Um, however, now that it is starting to warm up, uh we are going out on the water more and more often, which has been wonderful. So, certainly that first practice from about roughly 6:30, 6:45 until about 9am. So that's the first chunk and the main session of the day, and then we come back to campus, back to our um housing, and we'll certainly have like second breakfast refuel from the session. Um, and then it's really just depending on what I have each day. So most days I will then have maybe about an hour to kill, which I might, you know, shower, change, clean my room, do all those little things, maybe have a little nap if I need it. Um then yes, exactly. Then get ready uh to head off to class. So normally I might have a class on Sundays at about 11am, and then that will be finished about 12:15, and then I'll come back, I'll have lunch, and then I'll change and get ready for weights later in the afternoon. As sometimes I go straight from my second class after lunch, straight directly to weights. So then um head to that class, go to weights, do the do our afternoon session, and then we're normally done at about 4:45, 5 at the absolute latest. Um, and then the rest of the afternoon is sort of ours. We can come back, I'll smash out some homework some nights, I'll be lazy watching Netflix in bed other nights, um, and then typically go to bed around 9 p.m. and do it all again the next day.

SPEAKER_02 14:49

Oh, sounds like a dream. Um I'm kidding, but it is it is a busy, busy season for sure. And I was just thinking as you were talking, um, considering the time difference with Australia, where how do you fit in and how do you keep connections with your Australian people?

SPEAKER_00 15:08

Yeah, of course. It's certainly, I would say, a little bit tricky at times, especially now that my family are all you know back at work, at school, same with friends or at university of their own or jobs. It was a little bit easier, I guess, maybe a month, month and a half ago when it was still holidays for them. Um, however, I do try and call home at least maybe once every day, even if that is only for maybe 10 minutes. Um, some days are slightly longer, especially on the weekends. Um, but I figured out that roughly about 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. is between that 7am to 8am mark back home. So that's normally when my parents are getting up, getting ready for work, same with my brother. Um, which has been great to be able to, you know, tell them about my day. So normally, you know, I've had a whole day, they're just getting ready for theirs. Um, so that's been great. Some of my other friends I might call later in the afternoon if they don't have university that day and just catch up with them. Um, otherwise, I would say social media is great as well. Snapchat certainly makes things makes life a whole lot easier. Um, but yeah, otherwise I'll then call some grandparents and other family and friends um on the weekends when I can too.

SPEAKER_02 16:15

Yeah, you gotta make like find a great balance in between yeah, staying busy and completing your task, but also making time for your family and friends. And I would say it gets easier as you go, you'll find more way, and I'm sure you have already found your grounds on like how to do that the best. So I'm glad that you're putting the effort to do it because that's important. Thank you. Um, so what are your goals for your freshman year, uh, both academically and athletically?

SPEAKER_00 16:46

Yeah, of course. Um, I guess academically, I the whole US system is new to me, the whole GPA system, different credit hours, university in general, um, is all you know uh different in terms of how university and schooling works back home. So I wouldn't say I have firm goals um academically, I would just love to do the best I can. Um, you know, I'm a little bit of a hard worker, so definitely putting in the hours um and studying and just trying to do the best I can in all my classes, and honestly, I can't ask for too much more. I've been really happy with all my results and marks so far. So um just keeping up you know the consistency with uh all my schoolwork and making sure I stay on top of things, especially as racing season approaches. Um, however, athletically and in terms of boats and all of that, um, I would say I would love to improve continue improving on the erg, as every rower would say. Um you never you never want to decline a PR, so certainly just um keeping working hard, building the strength, and uh hope hoping that the numbers keep coming down. So that's definitely a goal. And then in terms of boating, um, what we have is our Big 12 boat, so that's the conference we're in, and the order is the first eight, second eight, and then they have a first four, second four, and a third eight. So those uh top four to five boats are our uh travel boats that will go each weekend or you know every now and then to travel over the next few months, and I would love to be in those boats. I'm currently sitting in maybe the top third of the program, which I would love to um stay there and continue developing that. I have also been thrown into stroking the second V8, so the two V8. So um definitely would love to stay there, love to continue developing um that strength and see where the boat can take us this season. So just sort of uh I guess a trial semester, give it all I've got, and then um go from there the next few semesters as well.

SPEAKER_02 18:45

That's super exciting, especially like you know, coming from a freshman, you seem that you're very aware of where you're going and what you need to do, which is not very common. And I'll tell you from my experience too, like you you you can and I think you have the flexibility to take your freshman years, like I'm exploring and I need to see, you know, what works for me, whatnot, and like where I want to go. But it's great when you already have your priorities set up and you just go and do it. Uh, what is your major?

SPEAKER_00 19:18

Um, I am studying and majoring in elementary education.

SPEAKER_02 19:22

Oh, super nice. Thank you. Um, and I think we talked about this before, but I wanted to mention it here as well. Um, your degree will count if you go back to Australia, you'll be able to use your degree, right?

SPEAKER_00 19:37

Yes, definitely. That was a big uh big thing for me when I was first looking into the US system. As much as I love school, I don't love doing maybe the whole degree twice. So certainly, yes, was looking at um different degrees that I would be interested in that would transfer home. So as long as I can remember, I think I have always loved in terms of kids and helping and wanting to give back to a community. And I think, yeah, primary school teaching back home or elementary that you call it here, um, definitely just ticks a lot of boxes for me. So definitely do the four-year degree here, and then that will be able to transfer back home if I um hope to go there and study um, sorry, not study, teach when yes, I'm older.

SPEAKER_02 20:16

So is that the goal you're not planning to like you're not planning or looking to stay in the US after graduating?

SPEAKER_00 20:24

I mean, a lot can change in four years. I wish I wish I had a crystal ball and could see the future. However, um, I guess the plan is to have you know an amazing four years abroad, um, you know, make lifelong friends, have an amazing experience. However, then yes, possibly head back home, you know, see family and friends and then get get a job there um would be wonderful, but you I guess yeah, never know. I'm not opposed to it, but at the moment that's yes what I'm planning to.

SPEAKER_02 20:52

No, the mindset you have as a freshman is absolutely great, and I'm sure you have you have maybe noticed that some other international student athletes are not able to come in this strong and have this positive mindset, and also like trying to use the journey more than like focusing at the final goal. So it's truly amazing, just keep going this way, and you'll do great things. Um thank you, I appreciate it. Uh, what has been the biggest challenge you have faced until now?

SPEAKER_00 21:24

Ooh, the biggest challenge. I think honestly, maybe food. I think I didn't really know what to expect. I think a lot of people, you know, you hear a lot of stereotypes, you hear a lot of things that the US might have a lot of shiva in different things. Um but certainly the first few weeks I was really struggling in terms of finding a cereal that I love. Um, I'm an Aussie drill brewer, so I love my wheat beaks. So um I think I've had that literally for every breakfast that I can recall. Um, so that was definitely an adjustment trying to find something that will sustain. Sustained me throughout practice rather than maybe just spike and then uh plummet even harder. So uh definitely food, same with bread, I thought was really sugary and um tasted a little bit different as well. So um that whole toast was sort of out of the picture as well. Um, however, I think I've found a nice um balance of different things that I enjoy now that are slightly similar or slightly different, but again, brand sizes and um just yeah, everything being bigger, slightly different, name like called called things that are differently took a little bit of adjustment, um, especially food shopping as well, having tax added on afterwards um is a big difference back home. So yeah, I would say honestly, the first few weeks, maybe food and grocery shopping, but I think I've been pretty fortunate I haven't encountered any massive challenge yet.

SPEAKER_02 22:52

Oh, that's amazing. And food is a big one. I would say, like, it took me, you're saying like it took you two months, not even like it took me. I feel like after graduating when we don't have any food provided to us, obviously, like you're on your own fully, um, not even having like refill section or like nothing, like you have to do everything. That's when I actually had the biggest challenge of like figuring out, okay, what am I supposed to eat? Because when you travel, I'm sure the school and the coach pays for your meals and stuff. So, like here and there you get some stuff, but once you're out of school and you live here, it's like okay, what am I supposed to do? Like, where do I start? And then I feel the same way. Like, I've just found like I know what I'm buying every single week. I have a list of things, I go to different stores for certain things, and that's all I'm getting. Because, like, once you find the good thing, it's like, oh my god, if I look at anything else, the ingredients are like, what the heck? Like, I cannot have this.

SPEAKER_00 23:53

Yeah, certainly different. I think very fortunate as an athlete as well, we have access to a nutritionist. So that was a great resource that I could go and you know, um, ask questions. And if I really wanted to, she could have taken me to the store and gone shopping with me. Um, otherwise, we do have a big uh nutrition fueling station right outside our gym as well. So that's always um completely stocked with uh different drinks or different meals or snacks and a variety of pre-post during workout things as well. So, in terms of if I just wanted a quick grab and go meal before class or after practice, um, that was always an option as well. So that was really good early days as well, to sort of rely on when I was um maybe not too prepared to cook just yet. So that was uh that was definitely good. Um, otherwise, there's heaps of different on-campus dining options and little restaurant cafes or um just your regular dining halls as well that are great to have there as a you know an option too.

SPEAKER_02 24:55

Amazing, and since KU is such a big school, I'm wondering if you would like to share with us what other resources you have because nutritionist is not something that every school will offer. So I'm wondering if there is like another, you know, resource or professional expert that you work with just because you're an athlete.

SPEAKER_00 25:15

Yeah, of course. Um, we I 100% agree, are so fortunate with the amount of things and like amount of resources and people that we have here working with us. Um we're very fortunate on the Roman team. We have two incredible athletic trainers. So if I ever have any um injury or any um need any rehab, or I'm you know feeling sore and I want to do something to prevent an injury, um, or you know, I think I'm feeling a little bit sick, and you know, I can feel a cough coming on, um, literally anything, they are amazing. So I can just um walk in either before training at the boat house, and there's the athletic training room there, and I can have um you know some sort of treatment done beforehand, which is great. Otherwise, I can book in a session later in the day, and they're just down in the athletic training room um all day long. So just book in either 15 minutes or two hours if I really needed, like they're they're there to help you. So um that's been incredible in terms of um as I've been increasing the training load, um, helping my body adjust to that. Um, they also have lots of incredible things and other resources for us to use, such as you know, massage gums, or um, we have these different boots that are like compression, so they help with recovery as well. And then we have um hot and cold tubs that we can use for recovery as well. Um, so lots of different tools in terms of um other yes, resources that we can use. Um, otherwise, we have our uh two sort of white instructors as well. So the freshmen we're in a um specific group with a instructor or I guess leader in the gym, and then the um upperclassmen or the other three classes are with another um instructor and they're doing their sessions, so sort of at the same time, it's slightly different to sort of introduce you into um weights, so they are both incredible in terms of you know helping further that next level of strength and developing different muscle groups um to improve on the water and on the erg. Um, I'm trying to think otherwise. We have um a what we call KU Leads, so they are sort of the leadership development program um for student athletes as well. So they run lots of different fun activities, like this month is Nutrition Month at the moment. So one of the uh committees within uh the overall KU Leads branch ran a top chef night, so it was sort of like uh master chef with different groups cooking different things in you know 30 minutes to hopefully try and win the competition, and then we had what we call J-Rock, so uh it was sort of like a Americans Got Talent, every team presented a little dance um to a theme a couple weeks ago as well, so lots of fun activities that they'll do, or they'll do different seminars and talks, or guest speakers will come in. Um so they're all fantastic as well. We also have lots of uh mental health resources, so there's a variety of different athletic councils that you can go and speak to if you're struggling, um, and there's lots of different um things in terms of well-being as well that you have access to. So a real variety, um, you're certainly not by yourself, and then in terms of sort of separate from that side of things and more focusing academically, each team also has an academic advisor. So she has been an absolute godsend in terms of helping me um learn the US system and how to enroll in classes and what classes to do, and mapping out my sort of four-year plan and different credit hours and all of that. So um, an academic advisor has been amazing, and then she communicates to all of our professors as well whenever we're traveling and might miss classes. Um, so that's been unreal as well, and then she can also organize tutoring for you if you feel like you need that too. Um, so yeah, and absolutely a lot of resources.

SPEAKER_02 29:10

No, that sounds great, and I mean, some of them I haven't even had, like I haven't had a nutritionist in my school, but that's that's amazing. It sounds like really you can just focus on the stuff you need to do and make sure you're getting your stuff done. But for sure, I think some people also struggle to even be aware of the resources and to utilize them to the maximum. Like, I've talked to so many students who you know, like once you graduate and like you talk to somebody else, that's when you realize or like your last year of college, you realize the resources that have been available, but you just haven't used them. And that kind of sucks because they are there, they're available, and sometimes we just don't take time to explore and um, you know, take not even time, but like effort to actually go and yeah, we know this is happening, but like are we actually gonna go take time and um you know meet new people, explore the event that's happening, or you know, just be present in the in the journey. But super glad to hear that you are aware of all of that and it seems like you're using it.

SPEAKER_00 30:19

Thank you.

SPEAKER_02 30:21

For sure that helps.

SPEAKER_00 30:23

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 30:24

Uh what would be your advice for like an international student athlete who wants to come to the US and is looking into, you know, maybe coming next year or already has signed um their what is it? It's not contract, it's the offer. And forgetting the warnings. But you know, just share with us like your biggest advice that you would have for them.

SPEAKER_00 30:47

Yeah, of course. Um, great question, honestly. It feels so bizarre being on the other side, being the one giving the advice and not getting it. Um, however, I think honestly, just take every opportunity. It's an unreal um thing to be able to say that you are a D1 athlete. Only, you know, a very small percentage of college students ever get to be an athlete at college, let alone be one internationally and do it all the way on the other side of the globe. Um, so you're very fortunate to sort of get that position, and I think I try to remind myself of that when I do feel overwhelmed or I do feel tired and fatigued. I think I do like to just stop and think, wow, like take it all in, realize that this is an incredible opportunity, and just uh don't say no. Like I go around and try a whole bunch of different things and you know, meet new people and not afraid to do different things by myself, or also do lots of things with friends. So it's great to have a balance of both as an international and just see new things, meet new people, try different foods, try different experiences, and I think just taking it all in is much better than sort of being stuck in your ways, I guess.

SPEAKER_02 32:01

Wow, that's a great one. That's an amazing one. I'm sorry it has helped you. It seems like you're listening to your own advice, and I think you're taking the most of the particular. No, it that's how it sounds. Thank you. Um, so what was maybe the the most confusing moment or like the funny moment you have experienced until now? That like you were like, and I would say specific to like the college experience that you are going through.

SPEAKER_00 32:33

Yeah, gosh. Um I'm not 100% sure on that one. I think some some still some funny moments would be when, like, for example, we are in a group of people and we're walking out to a car, and I walk out and almost get in the driver's seat because that's the passenger seat for me. So those little things are still like just habit. A lot of the dates are written back to front as well. So I go, you know, different people are writing different notes or tests, and everything's back to front. So again, I'm like, oh wait, you know, have to do that. Um, but honestly, just like when I'm speaking, or if I'm like answering a question in class, or um, I mentioned, you know, I'm an elementary major, so um, maybe it was a week ago now we did different teaching demonstrations, so we were in small groups for an assignment, and you know, had to pretend you know we made a lesson plan and pretend as if we were teaching and presenting to a class. And I think there was one of the uh little activities and worksheets that we were doing within that teaching demonstration, and I was walking around pretending to be a pe uh teacher, etc. And a group calls me over, and here I am thinking they have a question for me, and they're saying, Um, sorry, where are you from? I can hear your accent. So that made me stop and laugh, thinking here I am stressing, doing an assignment, um, you know, trying to replicate being a teacher and think of all the criteria in my head, and these students are just listening to my accent being different. So that was definitely funny. Um, so definitely got them back on track during the work. Um, however, yeah, little things that are so normal to me, um, however, just I guess so different to regular Americans as well, that might obviously not have ever lived or been in a class with an Australian before.

SPEAKER_02 34:19

Oh, yeah, I mean, that's you're in Midwest, that's for sure. And like if you leave KU, I think you'll get that question much more than you're getting now, just because you know, people are not used to any foreign people around here, and if they are, it's mostly you know, students or like athletes around here, or you know, there is a really small percentage of people who end up here just because of you know, if it's not school, who knows why, but like there is really specific reason why you need to end up in Midvest. Um so would you share with us? Do you have a favorite quote that you like and you would like to share it with us?

SPEAKER_00 35:01

Yes, certainly. I think one thing that maybe a coach said to me a little while ago, I can't remember where I heard it from now, actually, um, but has it has really stuck with me is um you don't you don't shoot every shot unless the ball goes into the hoop. So rather than a quote, it's more of an analogy, but you miss every shot you don't take, is sort of the the thing that I took away from that. So obviously, you don't like if you're imagining the ball and you shoot and you miss, at least you try it. Where I think if you never shoot and you never go for goal or you never go and try that thing, then you know, I guess it's a missed opportunity. So you certainly miss 100% of the shots that you don't take. So I think even if you try and you fail, just give it a go and see where you end up. So I uh certainly think that's sort of my motto that I live by, I guess. Maybe not an exact word-for-word quote, but the the gist or the motto that I took from that is just give it a go. You've got nothing, nothing to lose.

SPEAKER_02 36:05

That's a good one. Yeah, I think you can apply it to basically anything in life, especially like even coming to the US. Like, yeah, it is scary, and you don't know what's happening, you know, waiting for you. You can prepare as much as you want, but in the end of the day, like you really need to take the opportunity to come and you know see what it has in store for you. Yeah, I couldn't agree more. Um, as we are wrapping up the conversation, I have really enjoyed talking to you today, and you're really inspiring. I have no words for a freshman. I did not expect this mindset. Like, really good job to you. But is there anything else that we haven't talked about that you would like to share with me and the listeners?

SPEAKER_00 36:46

I guess just get on that plane, go chase after your dreams. I think it's so it's so easy to say and yet so scary and daunting to so many people. But I really think you know, you don't know unless you try and just you know, give it your best shot, get on the plane, go chase after your dreams. There's a whole world out there. So go and explore it whilst you're young.

SPEAKER_02 37:08

Oh my god, let's finish on this note. I love this. Thank you so much again. It was great speaking to you.

SPEAKER_00 37:15

Thank you so much for having me.

SPEAKER_01 37:22

Thank you so much for tuning into today's episode.

SPEAKER_02 37:26

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SPEAKER_01 37:32

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SPEAKER_02 37:41

Until next time, keep training hard, staying smart, and chasing your dreams across borders.