Sebastian Berntsen
The Student-Athlete Experience 2025: Growth and Passion in Action
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 Sebastian Berntsen, a track and field athlete from Norway who studied at the University of Arkansas and has now transferred to Baylor University, to share a glimpse into his student-athlete experience.
The Student-Athlete Experience 2025: This is what living it really feels like.
The Best Decision of My Life
Sebastian Berntsen took a big step when he left Norway to study and compete in the United States. He reflects on it as one of the most significant and rewarding decisions of his life.
“Deciding to move to the United States for college was a major step in my life, and looking back, it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
The experience of being a student athlete has been incredibly rewarding, both personally and athletically. The facilities here in the US are way better than what I was used to. From the weight room to the track, and all the recovery equipment in between, it’s all designed to help you train and perform at the highest level.
What really makes a difference is how much the US values sports. It’s treated like a profession here, and that mindset has helped me grow into a more serious and disciplined athlete. Since arriving, I’ve hit multiple PRs, and I feel like I’m improving every day.
Outside of training, I’ve built some of the best friendships of my life. My teammates and friends are people I trust and love being around, and the support system has made the transition to life in a new country a lot smoother.
For anyone considering making the move, I genuinely recommend it. The opportunities, the lifestyle, and the level of athletic development you get here are unmatched. It’s a decision that changed my life for the better, and I’d encourage others to take that same leap.”
First Time I Steep onto Campus
Stepping onto a college campus for the first time is a moment many student-athletes never forget. It’s the start of a new chapter—new surroundings, new people, and a whole new way of life. Sebastian shares what he experienced when he stepped onto campus for the first time:
“I felt like I was in the typical American movie. The classes are really big, which was a big change coming from a small country. Even though I haven’t expended much time of campus (because I’m most of the time at the track and training facilities), I will say the campus is nice, and it’s a place that makes me feel studious.”
Adjusting to Life in a New Country
For Sebastian, the transition period was smooth thanks to the friendly and inclusive college environment in the US. His time here has introduced him to new habits and creative ways to stay connected with family and friends back home.
“What surprised me the most when I arrived was how talkative people are. Making friends is easy over here. Here I have learned to not being scared to talk to people I don’t know.
The transition was easier than I expected. Adjusting to the new language was a little hard at first, but the transition was smooth.
To stay connected with my family and friends, I play video games with them.”
How I Build Relationships from Day One
Many international students ask how easy it is to make new friends in the U.S. Making friends is one of the most important parts of adjusting to college life and being able to feel like at home. Sebastian shares his experience and tips on how to build friendships as an international student-athlete.
“Get close with your roommates and talk to the people on your team. My friends are the people I’m with all the time. Even in traditional Holidays when I can’t go home, I celebrate with them making them my second family.
Since I don’t have my family here, my teammates are the closest people I have. They are definitely friends that I will keep forever.”
My Experience as a College Athlete
What is it really like to be a college athlete? At the Division I level, competition is intense and taken very seriously, pushing athletes to reach new limits. Sebastian has lived this experience firsthand.
“To me, being a student-athlete means chasing excellence every day. With a great team around me I’m constantly trying to be a bit better than I was yesterday.
My sport experience in the US has definitely changed me. Everything feels bigger here. The competitions are more serious, and the expectations are higher. Facilities, training equipment, and everything regarding training is taken very seriously. Even though long jump is an individual event, being part of a team has pushed me harder and made the whole experience way more meaningful.
Here, I had unforgettable moments like jumping 7.60m to qualify for the SEC championships, then go on to win the competition with my team.”
Balancing Books and Athletics
Life as a student-athlete means finding the right balance between academics and sports. Many athletes face packed schedules, moving from lectures to training sessions and back again. Sebastian has learned how to handle both and make it work:
“I am studying Sports Management. It’s something I find interesting, and the major is known to be good at the University of Arkansas. As a student-athlete I received support from the tutors, they really helped me pass all my classes. They understood what came with being a student athlete.
It is important to understand this: when you’re studying, study, when you’re at the track, train. Focus your energy on improving at your sport and use the remaining time to turn in assignments.”
How I Realize I Made the Right Decision
Making the decision to study and compete in another country can feel overwhelming, but sometimes one moment is enough to confirm it was the right decision. For Sebastian, that moment came when he saw major improvements in his sport, proving to him that moving to the US was worth it.
“The moment I saw great improvements in my sport made me realize I had made the right choice of coming here. After graduation, I plan to continue with track and field.
My advice to anyone thinking about becoming a student-athlete in the US is simple: just do it.”
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