Ever since I started in the sport of track & field, I had my eyes set on seeking the highest level of competition I could achieve. The way the NCAA is now, having many athletes making the jump to a pro career, it is essentially a streamline to the pro circuit. Moving away from home, adapting to a new training and environment, along with a more rigorous course load than I was used to, there were many challenges, and there continue to be.

I got a taste of living in dorms during my senior year of high school, living in one of the male dorms at Appleby College from Sunday nights and getting to go home on Friday after school. Moving away from home was still hard; not knowing anyone, a new environment, and a new country were overwhelming. You would think that being from a neighboring country was only a little foreign, but many noticeable differences took adjusting to. The student visa situation was smooth but had me doing extra stuff I needed someone to prepare me for and closing the door on NIL opportunities to which my peers could not relate. It took me a while to get settled and oriented on campus. A routine took a lot of work to come by with the chaotic lifestyle of a student-athlete, along with the frustration of being expected to know everything already. Getting into the swing of things, finding friends, and getting into a good training groove helped me with the transition.

I have learned much more about myself by navigating this new chapter of my life. I find myself excited for each day. I am excited for the opportunity to get better at my sport and continue to grow as a person. However, I also find myself longing for familiarity, reminiscing about my life back in Canada and wishing I could go back and see my friends, family, and, most importantly, my dog. I have met many great people at Michigan, experienced much joy, and had lots of fun. I definitely would make the same decision again.

My experience as a D1 international student-athlete has allowed me to be more reflective and overall grateful for the people in my life. I strive to show gratitude to the important figures and those helping me along this journey. Michigan’s support system, resources, and opportunities are second to none, making me confident that Michigan’s mantra Those who stay will be champions rings true.