What is college life like in America as a student-athlete?
Curious what daily life looks like as an international student-athlete in the United States? Here's what you can expect on and off campus.
What is student-athlete life like in the US?
Studying and competing in the United States is about much more than attending classes and training every day. As a student-athlete, you’ll live on campus, travel with your team, build friendships with teammates from around the world, and earn a degree while competing at a high level.
Life at an American college or university is very different from what most international students are used to. From game days and homecoming to studying in the library and eating together in the dining hall, every day brings new experiences. Since 2009, Made Scholarships has helped more than 1,000 student-athletes start their college journey in the US. On this page, we’ll show you what life as a student-athlete is really like.
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What to expect from college life in the United States
College life in America is very different from what many international students are used to. Below you’ll find some of the biggest differences.
An American university campus feels like a small community where almost everything is within walking distance. Besides classrooms and state-of-the-art athletic facilities, you’ll find residence halls, dining halls, libraries, study spaces, coffee shops, and recreational areas.
Especially during your first year, you’ll spend most of your time on campus. It’s a safe environment where it’s easy to meet new people and quickly become part of the university community.
Read more about where student-athletes live during college.
Outside the United States, the terms college and university are often confusing. Although Americans regularly use the words interchangeably, there are important differences.
In general, a college is smaller and focuses mainly on undergraduate education, while a university is larger and also offers master’s and doctoral programs. Both can provide an outstanding academic education and an excellent athletic experience.
Read more about the difference between a college and a university.
College life is filled with traditions that make the American student experience unique. One of the biggest highlights is game day, when fellow students, alumni, and local fans come together to support their teams.
Other memorable traditions include Homecoming, Senior Day, and Spring Break. These are experiences that many former student-athletes still talk about long after graduation.
No two days are exactly the same. Your schedule will look different on training days than it does on competition days. Still, most student-athletes follow a structured routine that combines academics, athletics, and free time.
Many days begin with a strength workout or team practice, followed by breakfast. After that, you’ll attend classes until early afternoon. Later in the day, you’ll usually have another practice session, a game, or a team meeting. In the evening, you’ll have time to study, complete assignments, or spend time with your teammates.
Want to see what student-athlete life really looks like? Watch videos from our own student-athletes and discover what a typical day in America is like.
Frequently asked questions about college life in America
Is it difficult to make friends as an international student-athlete?
How do student-athletes balance sports and academics?
How is college life in America different from student life in my home country?
What if I struggle academically?
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