An increasing amount of international students are studying in the United States because of the amazing opportunity to study and play tennis abroad at a high level through athletic scholarships. I would know, as I am one of the few!
More and more international students are now coming to America to study for their degree's and play tennis as it provides more opportunities than studying in their native countries. Since the beginning of the recession in January 2008, the number of British players alone has jumped from 46 to a staggering 217, with an increase in the last year alone of around 64 players.
Unfortunately in countries like the United Kingdom, sports are not as well funded and promoted and so the term "athletic scholarship" is almost unheard of; even in top Universities with some of the best sporting reputations in the country are limited in what financial aid they can offer to their athletes.
College tennis in the States provides an experience not only to travel around America but to play at a competitively higher level than can possibly ever be achieved in the UK and teaches players what is it to be part of a team.
With word spreading of what can be offered in "The Land of Opportunity" during such times of financial hardship, it is likely that you'll be seeing a lot more unfamiliar faces in years to come!
This is so interesting! I never knew this side of it. Good luck, and am looking forward to your next blogpost.
ReplyDeleteWait a minute I didn't know we had a tennis teams on Washburn. Hm I find this very interesting.
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