International Flavor
April 28, 2004 11:59 AM | General
April 28, 2004
 Smith |
 Ouassa |
| (WVU Sports Communications) | |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- For students, going away to college is a life changing experience in which they learn many things about class work as well as life. That is especially true when you go to school 9,000 miles from home.
The West Virginia University men’s soccer team has four such players on its roster that have left their homeland to play the sport they love in America. WVU Coach Mike Seabolt believes that there is a distinct advantage to recruiting foreign athletes.
“Recruiting international players gives us the chance to get players who have played at a very high level from a very young age with the goal of being professionals,” said Seabolt.
Where most American players grow up idolizing players such as Michael Jordan and Joe Montana, players from other countries spend their youth wanting to play professional soccer. Matt Anstey of Canberra, Australia, a midfielder for WVU, believes that the difference in sports culture translates to a different form of soccer than he is used to.
“There is a lot more focus on strength and conditioning than in Australia. We do a lot more technical work back home,” said Anstey.
Seabolt also sees that difference in playing styles and suggests that that aspect of the game is what many of the international players need to work on when they arrive in the states.
“Over here there is the American standard: bigger, stronger, faster,” said Seabolt. “So they have to get up to that standard. Part of the reason a lot of them come here is that they need to become better athletes in order to have a chance to play professionally in Europe.”
But getting used to playing a different style of soccer is just the beginning for a student-athlete trying to adjust to a different culture. They must also adjust to being thousands of miles from home, as well as getting used to a different lifestyle.
“Movies were the only thing I had to base my impressions of the U.S. on,” said forward Jarrod Smith of Havelock, New Zealand. “I had never even heard of West Virginia before.”
As for soccer, though, Smith had little problems adjusting to the American style in 2003. His freshman season Smith led the team in goals with seven and in points with 14. Although the players said that adjusting was difficult, Morgantown made it fairly easy.
“Everyone is really friendly here,” said midfielder Ben Stevens of Brisbane, Australia.
Senior Bernard Ouassa had a different experience in America. The Montreal native first went to school at St. John’s in New York City before transferring to WVU. He said that while he enjoyed the Big Apple, Morgantown is a better location for a college.
“At St. John’s it was more of a commuter school,” said Ouassa. “I like it a lot better here. There is more of a family atmosphere.”
All four say that one of the biggest disappointments in America is the food quality. They each said that they miss the originality of the restaurants back home as opposed to the countless fast food chains in America.
“I miss a decent steak,” said Stevens.
But they agree that not all fast food is that bad.
“There is no Mexican food in New Zealand so I like having that here,” said Smith.
One of the biggest surprises to most of the guys has been the way in which Americans interact.
“Americans love drama,” said Smith. “They love to make drama about everything. We are more laid back at home.”
Stevens says that the biggest surprise to him about some Americans is their lack of knowledge about the outside world.
“Americans are very insulated. They don’t know anything about Australia or the world,” said Stevens.
“Some people will say, ‘New Zealand, what state is that in?’,” said Anstey. “Others will ask if we speak English in Australia.”
As a coach of international players there are challenges as well. Being their first time away from home for most, it is important to be a guide and parent figure.
“You have to on some levels be a parent,” said Seabolt. “It’s a different culture and sports atmosphere so you certainly have to act as a mentor to them at times.”
While Smith, Ouassa and Stevens had spent extended time away from their parents in the past, Anstey had lived at home until the day he left for Morgantown. He said that leaving was a difficult thing for his parents.
“My parents were hesitant for me to come but it was just too good of an opportunity to pass up,” said Anstey.
According to the four, being with one another and sharing in their experiences has helped getting used to Morgantown.
