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It seems like such a short time ago that I was moving into Poyda for my first pre-season in the USA. Yet, in that moment — and it is just a moment, four years in a lifetime is not long at all — I’ve managed to fit in so many new experiences that will live with me.

I chose Rider primarily to play Division 1 soccer as it’s not something that universities back home offer. But I’ve done far more than that with my time here.

I’ve met some of the most amazing people. My teammates have become some of my best friends and I’ll forever be thankful to Rider for giving me the opportunity to meet the people that I have and the share the experiences with them that I have. And the best part about it is that each one of them is unique. I’ve met so many different and diverse people who have opened my eyes to the world and to the different ways that the human species function and react. In doing so, I’ve learned a lot about myself too. For example, I’ve learned that, even though we all share different opinions, there is so much more in this world that unites us. Of these things, my favorites are laughter and happiness.

Of course, the education has been valuable, and I must give a special mention to my professors, particularly my history and French professors and everyone at the writing lab where I work who has made me feel so welcome and comfortable in my new environment. However, the most important things that I’ll take away from Rider won’t be my GPA or my mentions on the dean’s list, but the memories that I’ve been lucky enough to make.

Our trip to Disney World in Florida for the MAAC tournament my freshman year was an incredible experience. Coming from England, it’s also a place that I definitely would not have had the chance to visit had I not come here. It was a chance for our team to spend time together in a new environment and we had an amazing time. The rides were shut off just for us one night, which was surreal. It’s known as “the happiest place on Earth” and it really brought us all together through that shared happiness. 

My sophomore year brought probably my highlight of my four years here when our team won the MAAC Championship for the first time in the school’s history. I’ll never forget the music and the singing and the dancing that we had going even before the matches because we were such a young team that was just loving every moment of getting to play (and win!) with their best friends. 

We then drew the University of Washington in the NCAA tournament so we had the chance to fly out to Seattle and experience another incredible city. It was eye opening to see another side to the USA and to see the diversity that exists here just within one country. It was completely different from New York and the other cities I was used to seeing here, but it was also definitely one of my highlights as I know it was for the rest of my team too.

Speaking of New York City, one of the best things about Rider is how close it is to the city. I’ve been able to experience things — hockey, baseball and football games, Broadway, the Empire State Building, Times Square, ice skating in Central Park, the Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s Day, Santacon, the Statue of Liberty — that people like me can usually only dream of. 

When I go back home to England, there are many things that I’ll miss. I will certainly miss the American holidays and the atmosphere and excitement that surrounds them. I love Thanksgiving (especially the food!) and the chance to relax with my American families. I’ll also miss the fact that for half the year, you’re pretty much guaranteed sunshine and can make plans to hang out outside or go to the beach and not have them ruined by rain. 

I’ll also miss how passionate Americans are about sport and how sports teams can unite so many different people of all genders, races and ages together over here. But most of all I’ll miss seeing my teammates every day and laughing and smiling with them. Especially now, as I’m about to graduate, it’s really hit me just how much I’ll miss these people who have become like family to me. 

Although I’ll be returning to the UK after I graduate to continue playing football (soccer), I’ll definitely make time to come back here and visit again because I have too many friends and memories here that I’m not ready to leave behind.

These memories I’ve made here will live with me forever, and hopefully, when I’m old I’ll be able to look back and smile and laugh at all the things that I was lucky enough to do with my short time — the moment — that I spent at Rider.