In high school, I was faced with a big decision — one that would shape the next four years of my life.
I was born and raised in Canada, but the opportunity to be a student-athlete in the NCAA was something I couldn’t pass up.
It was a chance for me to challenge myself as an athlete, get a great education, and grow as a person.
One of my official visits was to Cal Berkeley, which happened to be my first time in the Golden State.
I was blown away by the campus and just everything in general — the weather, the people, the opportunity to run track and field in the NCAA.
I felt like I was on top of the world, and I couldn’t wait to start this new chapter of my life.
California Dreamin'
As amazing as the opportunity was, moving from Canada to California was a huge transition.
It was a culture shock for sure.
For one, the weather was completely different.
I went from four seasons and crazy winters to sunny and warm weather all year round — I wasn’t complaining, though, don't get me wrong!
Still, it was an adjustment.
I also grew up in a household of six, so I was always used to having my family around.
Being on my own for the first time was a big change, too.
I had to learn how to take care of myself, navigate a new environment, and make decisions on my own.
Another challenge was that my first year was during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The campus was pretty much empty since all the classes were online.
The only people I really saw were my teammates and coaches, so it was a bit of an isolating experience.
We dealt with so many restrictions, like wearing masks at practice.
But even with all the challenges, I was able to make great memories that year.
Year two was another 'shock,' though, in a different sense.
With everyone back on campus and classes slowly transitioning to in-person, it was a completely new experience.
It almost felt like I was a freshman all over again.
But honestly, my favorite part of the whole experience was meeting other international students from all over the world.
We got to learn about each other’s cultures and backgrounds, and even though we came from different places, we shared a lot of the same challenges as student-athletes.
Injury Struggles
While my first year as an athlete came with a lot of highs, I definitely had my fair share of lows, too.
I started my indoor season really strong, but then I injured my hamstring.
At first, I thought it was going to be a quick recovery, but I definitely underestimated the healing time.
Just when one side started to get better, I remember hurting the other one.
It was just a really tough time for me.
And then, when I finally got that under control, I ended up injuring my knee during a competition which required surgery.
Mentally, it was a battle because I had to put a hold on some of my competition plans I had for the summer in Canada.
I was looking forward to spending some time at home, training with my coach and club team in Canada, and seeing all my friends.
It was just sad that I couldn’t have this experience that summer.
I also didn’t know if my knee would get back to its full strength since it was a pretty significant injury.
As a jumper, knees take a lot of impact, so the thought of that possibly holding me back from my goals was tough.
What really helped me through it was my faith in God.
I rooted myself in prayer, and I believed that everything was going to be okay.
I kept a positive mindset and stayed on top of all my rehab.
And thankfully, I was able to come back from it even stronger — both mentally and physically.
My sophomore year ended up being my best season yet, and I finally made it to Outdoor Nationals for the first time.
That was one of the most amazing experiences.
Another Chapter
After my time in California, I decided to enter the transfer portal.
It was a little nerve-wracking because I had no idea what to expect or how it really worked.
I went in with an open mind and was willing to end up anywhere as long as it checked all my boxes.
I remember getting contacted by Coach Herston here from Texas Tech at the time, and I was honestly a bit shocked at first because I knew how amazing Texas Tech's track program was.
The fact that he wanted me to join his group made me really happy.
After speaking with him, I could tell he was a great coach who could really help me progress as a triple jumper.
On top of that, being in a training group with Olympians seemed like the perfect learning opportunity.
So, I took a visit to the school, and was blown away.
On my visit, I got to meet the team, and we instantly clicked.
They were amazing athletes, and even better people.
That played a huge role in my decision.
They also had a lot of master’s programs for me to choose from, and sports management really stood out to me and matched my interests.
And so far, I have nothing but great things to say about that program.
Be open-minded
Being an international student-athlete in the United States is an experience I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.
I’ve learned so much about myself, and I’ve grown in ways I never thought possible.
For any international student-athlete who wants to pursue their sport in the United States, my biggest advice is to do your research and keep an open mind.
There are so many great schools and programs out there that could be an amazing fit for you.
Make sure you find a place that fits all your needs academically, athletically, and just overall as a person.
Also, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and reach out to coaches.
Showcase your achievements and let them know why you’d be a great addition to their team.
And lastly, be ready for big changes and big adjustments.
Moving to another country far away from your family will definitely be a little tough at first, but be patient.
It’s okay to ask for help, if you need it.
You’ll build a great support system and friendships for life along the way.
I’m so grateful for all the experiences I’ve had so far, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me next.
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📷 Busola Akinduro and Texas Tech and Cal Berkeley
