Angelos Avgeris
The Student-Athlete Experience 2025: Growth and Passion in Action
That kind of environment pushed me to be more confident, communicative, and open-minded.
The Student-Athlete Experience 2025 is more than just a name — it’s a campaign built on the voices of international student-athletes who live, train, and compete in the U.S. every single day. No one understands what it’s like to be an international student-athlete in 2025 better than someone living it right now.
Train. Study. Compete. Grow.
Through real stories from around the world, we’re showing what it means to give everything to the sport you love, your education, and your future while building a new life thousands of miles from home.
Because it’s not just about matches or titles. It’s about the drive, the sacrifice, the growth, and the community you find along the way. Being a student-athlete in 2025 is demanding but powerful, unforgettable, and an experience you carry with you forever.
We asked Angelos Avgeris, a tennis player from Greece studying at Tusculum University, to give a glimpse into his student-athlete experience.
The Student-Athlete Experience 2025: This is what living it really feels like.
Growing Through the Student-Athlete Experience
Being a student-athlete in the U.S. is a busy lifestyle, but one that teaches discipline, focus, and how to make the most of your time. Between early morning workouts, classes, and evening practices, your days fill up quickly—but that’s where the growth happens.
“As a student athlete in 2025, my experience was a constant balance between academic demands and athletic responsibilities. Early mornings began either with training or lifts, followed by classes and evening practices. Time management was essential to succeed in both academic and athletic fields. I also engaged with academic advisors, support staff and the community of college to stay on track. Despite the pressure, the experience was really rewarding because I developed skills such as discipline and resilience that extended beyond the court.”
The heart of the American college experience
Unlike many other countries where students often live off-campus, American colleges and their campuses are designed to be communities. Dorms, dining halls, events, and shared spaces are places to meet and connect with others. The university campus in the US is where students grow in more ways than academically.
“Campus life has been a huge part of my overall college experience because it allowed me to grow outside the classroom. Living on campus and being a part of a community taught me how to connect with people from different backgrounds. I developed communication, time management and skills that I wouldn’t have gained otherwise. Campus life made college feel like more than just academics and athletics, it made it feel like home.”
Student-Athlete Support That Makes Everything Work
One of the standout features of the U.S. college system is the student-athlete support available, which includes academic flexibility, tutoring, counseling, and guidance. Professors and staff are aware of the demands of balancing sports and studies, and they’re ready to support you so you don’t fall behind.
“As a student-athlete, I have received a lot of support from both professors and academic tutors. Professors have been understanding about the demands of our travel and competition schedule. They have worked with me to reschedule exams or daily quizzes and even meet outside of class to review material I missed. On top of that, the tutoring and academic support staff have been incredibly helpful. That kind of support has helped me balance my responsibilities without feeling like I have to sacrifice one for the other.”
Adjusting to a New Country and Making Friends in College
Moving to a new country is always a big adjustment, especially when the culture and everyday interactions feel different from home. One of the first things many international students notice is how open and approachable people in the U.S. tend to be, which can make settling in a lot easier.
“What surprised me most about life in the U.S. was how friendly and open people are, even to strangers. It’s common for people to start small talk, even if they don’t know you, and that’s something I wasn’t used to at first. Whether it’s in the classroom, on campus, or in everyday life, people are encouraged to speak up and share their opinions. That kind of environment pushed me to be more confident, communicative, and open-minded.”
The university campuses in the U.S. are known for creating a warm and welcoming environment, but for student-athletes, college sports also play a big role. You naturally build strong bonds with your teammates as you go through everything together, both the highs and the lows.
“In my first semester, I built friendships by getting involved right away, both through my tennis team and on campus. Being part of a team helped a lot because we spent so much time training, travelling, and supporting each other, which naturally built close bonds. I also made an effort to talk to classmates and attend campus events. It wasn’t easy at first, but I realized that just being open, saying yes to invitations, and showing genuine interest in others helped me connect quickly. Some of those early friendships have become my closest relationships in college.”
Being far from home, it’s especially important to find people who make the unfamiliar feel a little more like home. In the end, it’s the people you remember most, not just the places.
What College Athletics Teach You
What makes college sports in the U.S. unique isn’t just the chance to compete individually, but the experience of being part of a team, representing your school, and learning what it means to contribute to something bigger than yourself. It’s about showing up every day, pushing through setbacks, and finding the strength to get back up.
“The biggest lesson tennis has taught me during college is how to stay mentally calm under pressure. In tennis, college matches can swing with just one point, and it’s easy to get caught up in mistakes or bad calls. I had to learn how to reset my mind quickly and focus on the next point instead of thinking about the previous one. The mindset of staying present and adapting fast has carried over into my academic and personal life.”
Advice for Future Student-Athletes
It’s a demanding but incredibly rewarding experience, and hearing directly from someone who’s walked that path can make all the difference. Here’s one piece of advice from Angelos:
“My best advice would be to go for it but come prepared to work hard and manage your time well. Being a student-athlete in the U.S. is an amazing opportunity, but it comes with high expectations both academically and athletically. You have to be disciplined, organized, and motivated. Coaches, tutors, teammates, and professors are there to help you succeed. Also, don’t forget to enjoy the experience. Take the time to build friendships, explore campus life, and embrace the culture. It’s a unique journey that can shape you in powerful ways, both on and off the court.”
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