Sofia Wolf
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 Sofia Wolf, a soccer player from Germany studying at Idaho State, to give a glimpse into his student-athlete experience.
The Student-Athlete Experience 2025: This is what living it really feels like.
Adapting to a Higher Level of Competition
College soccer is known for its intensity and high demands. Athletes often experience a faster pace, more structured routines, and greater expectations. Sofia shares what that transition was like for her and the key differences she noticed between playing soccer in the US and in Germany.
“College soccer is definitely more competitive than soccer at home. They try to get everything out of you. College sports in the U.S. are more demanding, physically as well as mentally, than I was used to in Germany. You go to the weight room multiple times a week and practice every day which is not that common in Europe.”
First Time on Campus
Starting life at a new university can feel overwhelming at first, especially in a new country. But being on a smaller campus can make the adjustment a bit easier. Sofia talks about her first impressions and how she found her way.
“I was very nervous, but since it is a small campus, it wasn’t that hard to navigate myself around the university. Also, it’s easy to make friends through classes and through sports.”
Proudest Academic Moment
Being a student-athlete is not only about winning on the field but also succeeding in the classroom. Sofia shares one of her academic accomplishments this year.
“One of my proudest academic achievements this year was getting an A in my math class! I was not the best in math during high school, so having an A in math this semester really made me proud.”
Personal Growth as a Student-Athlete
Sofia’s journey as a student-athlete in 2025 has been full of valuable lessons. College sports provide athletes with life skills that are essential for their future careers.
“I’ve learned to rely more on myself, because at the end of the day, the one person who will always be there for you is you. One important lesson I’ve taken from this experience is that things take time—and sometimes, you just have to trust that everything happens for a reason.”
Advice for Future Student-Athletes
For anyone considering becoming a student-athlete in the United States, Sofia recommends:
“Try to talk to some of the upper classmen on the sports team you want to join before deciding which college you want to attend. They will tell you the truth about the team, the atmosphere, and the university.
The life of an international student-athlete in the U.S. is not an easy life. You’re in a different country and the people might have a different mindset than you are used to. You’re basically on your own, no family or friends from back home. But if you choose right, it can be the experience of a lifetime and the best 4 years of your life. If you really want it, it can be worth the risk.”
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