{"id":27521,"date":"2023-03-02T09:48:40","date_gmt":"2023-03-02T09:48:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.slamstox.com\/?p=27521"},"modified":"2023-03-02T09:48:42","modified_gmt":"2023-03-02T09:48:42","slug":"a-year-as-college-track-and-field-athlete-in-america","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slamstox.com\/en\/insights-fun-more-english\/a-year-as-college-track-and-field-athlete-in-america\/","title":{"rendered":"A year as college track and field athlete in America"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
What does your life look like if you decide to go to America to combine sports and studies, something that is hard for many to imagine. That’s why we’d like to tell you more about it in this article. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lotte Houtman, Slamstox’ Track and field intern, was part of Oakland University’s track and field team. She shares with us her year as a student athlete! She did high jump, pole vault and long\r\njump for her university and from this followed her nickname: the Flying Dutchmen! A track and field team at American universities consists of +\/- 30 athletes, giving the individual sport a team feeling!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before my departure for Oakland University in Michigan, nerves were present. This quickly disappeared once I landed and saw my teammates standing to pick me up from the airport. Beforehand we had gotten acquainted over the phone and in America we immediately became my best friends. Hannah in particular took me in tow and showed me everything about both the school and everything around it. As a result, I quickly got used to it and could get the first semester off to a good start right away!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first half year of the school year is from late August to December, also called the first semester. Training begins immediately and school also starts right away. Already nice and busy! A new team and a whole new environment, which takes some getting used to. A lot of attention is paid to team bonding and the coach helps you with your school planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The school system in America is also different. What I found to be the biggest difference of the American school system compared to the Dutch school system is the mentality of the students in America. They want to get the highest grades and won’t settle for a six, so what is often seen as a student 10 in Holland is really a no go there! This really turned my mentality around in class as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For athletics, the indoor season lasts from January to March. This allows you to fully focus on training and school during the first semester. In terms of training, the first semester is all about\r\ncondition and strength to get you ready for the indoor season. A lot of hard work straight away! I trained 5 days a week on the track from 10:00 to 13:00, including three days a week of strength\r\ntraining from 6:00 to 7:00. You also have another three hours of classes at school a day and you will have to find time somewhere for homework. Still, these tough weeks of training are a lot\r\neasier because of your teammates, you are all working towards the same goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n