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Omg guys, for me, the USA was the best thing that could have ever happened to me!! … And I mean it. In this series, I’m going to explain to you why.Where to start, really? I guess it'd make sense to start at the very beginning — when I first picked up a hockey stick.I was only five years old when I started playing. My first stick was a tiny, pink Stag (and my parents still have it). I think it's safe to say that from the very beginning, I was a good player: hungry for the ball, full of spirit, always determined to win.Over the years, I improved my skills, moved to better clubs, got selected for Dutch national development teams, and started fueling a dream. To me, the dream was winning gold for the Netherlands at the Olympics. I was willing to give everything for that glory.<figure id="figure-6ctoznekzmnyvzonx"><img id="6ctoznekzmnyvzonx" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2aOzn3BvEGuIKpPj59UiDmo7ABh5UEIqbZJDCAr2UPWWc6E8Rg2pKXb15cdcP6oS.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="Here’s me in 2015 — top row, middle, with the big curly hair." data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2aOzn3BvEGuIKpPj59UiDmo7ABh5UEIqbZJDCAr2UPWWc6E8Rg2pKXb15cdcP6oS.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">Here’s me in 2015 — top row, middle, with the big curly hair.</figcaption></figure>Off the field, I wasn’t particularly studious. Don’t get me wrong — I was intelligent — but my focus was hockey. School felt secondary, something I could put on hold.Naturally, as puberty hit, I started realizing there was more to life than just field hockey (sound familiar?). My dream slowly lost its shine. By this point, I had neglected school and dropped two levels in the Netherlands education system (VWO Tweetalig → VWO → HAVO).By age 17, I felt lost. My hockey career wasn’t going as expected, my grades were slipping — what was my future going to look like?Then, in the spring of 2017, the universe, God, or chance — whatever you want to call it — sent me a blessing I could never have imagined.On a random Tuesday, the Northwestern University Field Hockey Team from Chicago came to play a friendly scrimmage at my club in The Hague. And my life changed that day.<figure id="figure-xnq4orhuimmnyw6qr1"><img id="xnq4orhuimmnyw6qr1" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/13o1wH9ofQRpdg7eKt9mu9GB6BNlOXWgwjNd4HOe1QqEluJgDGeSanQD3UJMmhBY.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 45% 30%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="This was the day at HDM when Northwestern came to play — and everything changed for me." data-positionx="45%" data-positiony="30%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/13o1wH9ofQRpdg7eKt9mu9GB6BNlOXWgwjNd4HOe1QqEluJgDGeSanQD3UJMmhBY.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 45% 30%;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">This was the day at HDM when Northwestern came to play — and everything changed for me.</figcaption></figure>After the game, the coaches asked if I’d be interested in playing in Chicago — going to school, living on campus, and most importantly to me; starting fresh with a new opportunity.My answer? Absolutely. Not three months later, I was preparing for my first solo flight to the “land of the free, home of the brave.”But just when I thought destiny was playing out perfectly, a new challenge came my way… During the last game of the season — my final game in the Netherlands — in the national championship final, I tragically tore my ACL. Two months before pre-season in the U.S.<figure id="figure-jfeiercpu8mnywabbo"><img id="jfeiercpu8mnywabbo" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/12cdhGZaKNjgZaYhfHds8NLzMnn0OxapjO5RE5G1j62QqILwYoaDfZrVFIlH1mAR.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 40%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="50%" data-positionY="40%" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>My heart sank. Not only was the injury painful, but I also worried I’d never return to my previous level of play. And would I even make it to Northwestern?Luckily, the coaches at Northwestern were incredible. Regardless of my injury, they urged me to still come and welcomed me with open arms. They paid for my surgery, supported me through rehab in their amazing facilities, and encouraged me to start school so I wouldn’t fall behind academically.So, at 17, with my suitcase, a torn ACL, and a lot of fear, I boarded the plane. It was scary, but even then, I knew this was going to change my life. And it did.Nine hours later, I landed in Chicago and was welcomed by people who would become family. My adventure in the U.S. had officially begun.To be continued…

My USA adventure — Part 1

Field hockey ball being struck by field hockey stick at high speed

<h2>Understanding D1 College Field Hockey&nbsp;</h2>So, what’s D1 field hockey all about? Imagine training every day with teammates who quickly become your family, living on a campus that feels like its own world, and wearing your university’s colors with pride at the highest level of U.S. college sport. That’s Division 1.<figure id="figure-n0734gc9fmbje7xb4"><img id="n0734gc9fmbje7xb4" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/10uZMV3LyAqss0TOG269SCPTSZLYQlKV9QMsI1m3LSAdgs3jARubCPE0CQrgA5YG.png" alt="Field hockey ball being struck by field hockey stick at high speed" title="Field hockey ball being struck by field hockey stick at high speed" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 85%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="85%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/10uZMV3LyAqss0TOG269SCPTSZLYQlKV9QMsI1m3LSAdgs3jARubCPE0CQrgA5YG.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 85%;"></figure><h3>What Makes D1 Special?</h3>At a D1 school, you get the best of both worlds:<ul><li>High-level hockey: Daily practices, competitive matches, strength and conditioning, plus coaches who push you to reach your potential.</li><li>Academics with freedom: In the U.S., you don’t have to lock in your degree straight away. For the first two years, you can explore classes in different areas before declaring your major. Perfect if you’re still figuring things out.</li><li>Built-in support: Academic advisors, tutors, and staff are there to help you balance sport and school. Everything is set up for you to succeed. &nbsp;</li></ul><figure id="figure-8ygggb39wambje8ask"><img id="8ygggb39wambje8ask" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/12XTOJ2jaR0Ui66Knr4F4kFdl4Wn7PHyqjKD5nSbO9YfLvl2r3PV8INzvzE9FWHC.jpg" alt="college campus" title="college campus" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="null" data-positionY="null" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure><h3>The College Experience</h3>D1 isn’t just about sport — it’s about being part of something bigger. You’ll live on campus, surrounded by students your age, all immersed in the famous American college lifestyle. Think packed stadiums, buzzing student sections, late-night study sessions, and yes, it really does feel a bit like the movies.You’ll represent your university, create memories with teammates who turn into lifelong friends, and become part of a proud alumni network that lasts long after graduation.<figure id="figure-bi6yujftr6mfdqjfbz"><img id="bi6yujftr6mfdqjfbz" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/81qW4TlHvAkVCpGlQFTq5JyFarK0objyzmDydiVLxWE4cr2XnHX5uoBu4TKLblyB.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 85% 20%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="85%" data-positiony="20%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/81qW4TlHvAkVCpGlQFTq5JyFarK0objyzmDydiVLxWE4cr2XnHX5uoBu4TKLblyB.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 85% 20%;"></figure><h3>Why It’s Worth It</h3>Playing D1 field hockey gives you discipline, resilience, and leadership skills you’ll carry everywhere in life. And the best part? You get to do it while earning your degree and experiencing an adventure unlike anything else in the world.

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My USA adventure — Part 1

NCAA College Field Hockey Explained