So where are you from?
Ireland
And how are you studying internationally with us?
I’m on an F1 student visa, studying kinesiology.
Nice, so why did you pick Sonoma State, or California in general, to study?
I got a soccer scholarship. My uncle grew up in San Mateo and his best friend is the coach at Santa Rosa Junior College so I spent my first two years there before transferring. Also it’s a lot sunnier here than at home, Ireland is always dark and gloomy.
How long have you been playing soccer?
My whole life and I’m currently playing for Sonoma State as a walk on. I got hurt then took a break to focus on school, but I’m back to playing and training for my last year.
You must be excited to graduate soon, do you have any post grad plans?
I’m applyikng right now to graduate schools in California and Idaho.
Any reason in particular for Idaho?
There aren’t many schools in California that have the masters program I want, plus Idaho is cheaper and I’ve been told it’s similar to back home in many ways. But I would want to stay in California to work for a professional soccer team if I could.
Speaking of home, how does it compare to California?
The biggest differences would have to be the climate, for sure, and the food portions. My family even noticed how large the portion sizes are here when they came to visit. But there is a lot of differences I have noticed and struggled with. The vocabulary has a lot of slang and I can’t stand the word “hella”, why not just say “really”?
What did you miss most about your home?
When you’re 9000 miles from home and family and the place you grew up for 18 years you either sink or swim, so I tend not to reminisce. But mainly I miss family, I’m really close with my younger brother though and he keeps me in the loop through Snapchat and Facetime. It’s just hard when you miss things, because of COVID I’m gonna miss the birth of my third niece, and I already missed the first two.
How often were you able to go home?
I would go home every 6-7 months, during Christmas and summer breaks. I couldn’t this summer cause of the virus, and I won’t be able to go home this Christmas either.My family and I made the conscious decision that you don’t know what’s happening due to corona and the election, so we didn’t want to risk me not being allowed back into the states for some reason. I’ll spend this Christmas with my dad’s cousin which is nice, but isn’t the same as waking up Christmas morning with my siblings, parents, and nieces all there.
How long do you think it would be till you could go home again?
My family and I figured out it would be about 2 ½ years till I could see them again. My visa is going to expire soon, but since I am still in school I am allowed to stay. Even though I will enrolling in graduate school, we don’t want to risk anything by me leaving once it’s expired.
I’m so sorry to hear that. On a lighter note what are some of your highlights for your time here?
There are honestly too many. Visiting the Grand Canyon again was really cool, I went when I was like 8 or 9 but this time I could actually appreciate it. I have been able to travel a lot really, I’ve visited Massachusetts, New York, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, and Hawaii. I would have to say in California my favorite place to visit was San Diego, I played a tournament there and it was beautiful. But I really enjoyed Sonoma State too, I met my girlfriend there in February and I’m excited to graduate this spring.