What happens when a single Facebook message completely changes your life? For Sarah Abrams, a talented young rower from Australia's Hunter Valley, that message—which she initially suspected was a scam—became the first step on an extraordinary journey across the Pacific to NCAA Division I rowing.

Alexia sits down with Sarah as she shares the raw, unfiltered story of her transformation from a high school athlete who "didn't even know what a conference was" to an accomplished collegiate rower at the University of Tennessee. With disarming honesty and infectious enthusiasm, she recounts the whirlwind decision to accept a January intake offer that had her boarding a plane in late December, fighting back tears as she left everything familiar behind. Those early months tested her resilience as she navigated intense training camps, academic pressures, and profound homesickness—yet the community she found among teammates and coaches became her lifeline.

Sarah debunks the myth that pursuing American collegiate athletics means sacrificing opportunities to represent your home country, sharing how she successfully made the Australian national team while competing for Tennessee. The emotion in Sarah's voice is palpable as she describes putting on the green and gold: "There's a kangaroo on my back!"

Alexia and Sarah also cover an aspect of Sarah's journey often overlooked in the media despite its significant impact: the transition back to your home country after US college graduation. After four years of independence, intense training, and immersion in American culture, Sarah speaks about returning to her childhood bedroom and adjusting to life without her established college support network. She dives into the importance of self-compassion during this transition, allowing oneself to feel the full range of emotions that come with such a significant life change.

Whether you're a listener considering a US rowing scholarship, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about different US college sporting pathways, Sarah's journey offers valuable wisdom about embracing opportunities, trusting the process, and discovering capabilities you never knew you possessed. Listen now to understand why this self-proclaimed "hype woman" believes this experience—challenges and all—was unequivocally "the best thing I've ever done."

Loving this podcast? Leave us a review and send us any guests & topics you want us to cover via email at hello@studyandplayusa.com.au

Imagine getting DM'd by an American coach, thinking it was a scam, realising it was not a scam, being offered a full ride scholarship, committing to an NCAA D1 program in New York, being weeks away from flying over and then being told: "oh you are not eligible to compete in NCAA D1."

This was Angus Alberts' story, an Australian National champion shot putter from Lara, Victoria who went through the college recruitment process on his own. What seemed like a dream opportunity for Angus quickly unravelled. This setback could have ended Angus' American dreams altogether. Instead, it became the first chapter in an even more remarkable journey. With guidance from Study & Play USA, Angus discovered the junior college pathway—initially reluctant but ultimately the perfect fit for his athletic and academic development. Now at Iowa Central Community College, he's thriving both on and off the field, having earned All-American status in outdoor shot put during his freshman year.

Angus and Kelly sit down with Claire to discuss the surprise and confusion when they were told Angus was not eligible for NCAA D1. Surely the coach who had promised a full scholarship would have known from Angus' report cards that he was a few core courses short of the required 16 for NCAA D1?

For aspiring college athletes facing obstacles, Angus offers a powerful perspective: "People will see how you bounce back... I pride myself heavily on it." His journey from disappointment to achievement demonstrates that setbacks often lead to better pathways when met with perseverance.

Navigating the path to US college sports can be complex, especially for international student-athletes who must balance intense training schedules with unfamiliar academic requirements like the SAT. Today's conversation is with British-born Woody Sandhu, founder of Brainee and former US collegiate rower at Florida Tech.

Woody shares his remarkable story of going from a complete novice in rowing to earning a collegiate scholarship in just months. After being identified through a UK talent program and achieving an impressive sub 6:20 on his first-ever 2K erg test, he found himself scrambling to understand the US college recruitment process while juggling training and academics. His experiences highlight the unique challenges international student-athletes face – usually facing a disadvantage compared to their US counterparts when studying for the SAT.

What makes Woody's perspective particularly valuable is how he transformed his challenges into solutions through founding Brainee, an SAT prep platform specifically designed for time-poor student-athletes. Unlike traditional prep methods that cater to American students with years of familiarity with standardised testing, Brainee employs AI tutoring, personalised analytics, and athlete-friendly strategies that recognise the unique constraints athletes face. The platform identifies specific weaknesses, predicts potential point gains from mastering particular topics, and even offers shortened diagnostic tests for those with limited time.

We’re thrilled to join forces with Brainee to supercharge the SAT journeys of our international student-athletes! This partnership means smarter prep, tailored support, and even greater results ahead!

Chris Bates sits down with former college tennis athlete Tayah Cross, to discuss one of our most requested topics: the process of studying in a US college and then returning back to Australia to practice as a physio. Unlike the direct entry Australian model, Tayah's journey took her from an undergraduate kinesiology degree with a minor in French from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, to a Doctor of Physiotherapy at Bond University, culminating in a prestigious clinical placement at Stanford University where she worked with collegiate athletes—coming full circle in her educational journey.

Tayah discusses the varying classes she originally took in her freshman and sophomore year and how the flexible US college system supported her to try different courses before landing on kinesiology. She also reflects on how her experience as a college athlete has enabled her to become a fantastic physio, relating her own life experiences to many athletes she treats in her professional world.

Coach George Eglesfield from NCAA D1 California State University at Bakersfield shares his journey from international student-athlete to recruiting coordinator and assistant coach, providing valuable insights for swimmers considering the US college route. His personal experience swimming at the University of Wyoming combined with his current coaching perspective offers a comprehensive view of collegiate swimming opportunities.

In this episode, Coach George shares the things the would focus on if he was a high school aged international swimming recruit, as well as tips he has for athletes getting ready to start their swimming journey this upcoming August. The infamous online platform Swim Cloud is also discussed, where Coach George emphasises the value in utilising this website when a swimmer is starting out their US college recruitment journey.

Claire asks Coach George her favourite question about red flags and green flags in college recruiting, and also delves into the prevalent priority she sees with Australian swimmers: wanting a warm climate college in Florida or California. Coach George provides his insight as to why climate considerations should be secondary to swimming program quality, academics, and scholarship opportunities.

The episode ends with Coach George discussing how the modern college swimming world is increasingly intense - times from 10 years ago would not be competitive today.

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*At the time of recording, Coach Eglesfield was coaching at Cal State Bakersfield. He has since left to coach at a different D1 university.

Today’s episode explores the intricate world of Ivy League water polo recruitment, featuring insights from Coach Petar Momcilovic of Brown University. Listeners will get to hear Coach Momcilovic discuss the much talked about Junior Olympics, the importance of researching these universities before meeting with a coach. We dissect the infamous June 15th date in college recruiting and what Brown is looking for in a highlight reel. Claire and Coach Momcilovic also chat about the evolving landscape of East Coast vs West Coast Water Polo, a common question we get at events like AYC! Coach Momcilovic also discusses Claire's favourite line: "the earlier you start the better"

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Prepare yourself for an eye-opening journey through the world of collegiate soccer with our special guest, Coach Zach Newton from Indian Hills Community College. Hailing from Australia, Coach Newton's path from player to coach is nothing short of inspiring. He shares his unique experiences navigating the U.S. college pathway, providing insights into the high academic standards and significant role of GPAs at junior colleges. Through his narrative, you'll discover the balance needed between athletic and academic commitments and how they are crucial to securing scholarships and paving the way for a prosperous future in soccer.

Unlock the secrets of junior college softball recruitment with our expert guest, Coach Erin Sharpe from Northeast Community College in Nebraska. Gain insights into what truly matters in the eyes of a college coach: it's not just about stats but the fundamentals and batting techniques that make a standout recruit. Coach Sharpe discusses her thoughts on highlight reels and what grabs her eye in these videos.

Navigate the dynamic world of college softball transfers as we delve into the intricacies of finding the right cultural fit for athletes moving from junior colleges to four-year institutions. Coach Sharpe shares strategies to evaluate compatibility with a team’s culture and addresses common questions from international athletes about the transfer process. Learn how the transfer portal operates across NCAA divisions and discover why JUCO offers more than just a stepping stone but a launchpad for athletic dreams. Coach Sharpe details how she assists her athletes with the transfer process and the lengths she will go to assist her players in this transfer. This episode is packed with practical advice and expert perspectives to guide both athletes and their families in making informed decisions about their college softball journey.