Of the 2120 degree-seeking undergraduate students at Lewis & Clark this fall, 414 of them are student-athletes. Of these student-athletes, approximately 20 are either citizens of countries other than the U.S. or have spent a significant portion of their lives in countries outside the U.S. International athletes who choose to play their sport in the U.S. bring with them a unique perspective that can alert us and other athletes to the cultural differences and similarities between their home country and the U.S.
Interviews with student-athletes from India and Iceland showcased their experiences navigating sports here at LC.
This year, the men’s tennis team welcomed Arnav Bishnoi ’28 from Chandigarh, India. He began playing tennis in Chandigarh when he was nine years old. It was not feasible for Bishnoi to attend school and rigorously practice tennis in his country, and as a result of his demanding training schedule, he had poor attendance. His school was able to work flexibly with and accommodate his unique schedule as a student-athlete, so he was able to continue playing competitive tennis throughout high school.
“My school was very lenient, and after ninth grade, I was basically homeschooled and took online tuitions. I only had to go and give exams,” Bishnoi said.
As a result, the number of hours he trained for tennis in a day rose drastically.
“Before high school, I played only two to three hours a day, but after I had physical fitness in the morning, game practice in the afternoon, and technical corrections in the evening,” Bishnoi said.
Bishnoi expressed that he felt there was more of an organized schedule in the U.S., and that balancing classes with athletics has not been as much of a challenge.
An added bonus at LC are the indoor tennis courts, unlike in India, where Bishnoi would practice out in the sun for multiple hours at a time.
“At least I don’t get tanned while playing here,” he said.
Anna Ingadottir ’26, a goalkeeper for the women’s soccer team, is from Gardabaer, Iceland, and has been on the team since her freshman year. She shared that soccer is only a club sport in Iceland and is not integrated into collegiate athletics.
Ingadottir mentioned that the focal points of training vary significantly between the two countries.
“Training is more focused on fitness and physical strength here, but in Iceland, we work more on technique,” Ingadottir said.
Teams in Iceland are separated by skill level, so a wide range of ages play together on the same team.
“Since Iceland is a small country, the government subsidizes the program, and people of all age groups can join,” Ingadottir said.
Ingadottir said that playing soccer makes her happy, and so far she enjoys playing the sport at Lewis & Clark.
“I told myself I would stop playing the day it wasn’t fun anymore, and I’m still here,” Ingadottir said.
Ahika Jani ’28 is a member of the women’s golf team. She is from Mumbai, India. Golf is primarily a male-dominated sport in India.
“Very few women are expected to play and be good, so when they are, the validation is very high,” Jani said.
In India, golf is an individual sport where each person competes for themself. At LC, you play golf as a team. Additionally, the coach actively facilitates team bonding activities, while simultaneously handling the logistical aspects of the game.
“My coach here really cares, which adds pressure, and makes you want to do well for your coach,” Jani said.
Despite golf being an individual sport in India, playing at a club creates a sense of belonging where everyone is willing to enjoy the sport in each other’s company. Jani experiences a similar feeling while playing golf in the U.S.
“It’s surprising how similar it is; the community feeling of golf stays the same despite where you go in the world. Everyone is willing to take you in,” Jani said.
Many international student-athletes experience a shift in their athletic routine as they transition to playing their sport in the U.S. and to managing their undergraduate academic workload. With an enhanced focus on team activities to build bonds between players, international students are able to find community at LC, while bringing a unique perspective to the tennis court, soccer field or golf course. Through a variety of sports teams, LC athletics is able to create an inclusive environment where cultural differences are bridged by shared activities and shared sports.
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