LSU is one of the most competitive athletic schools in the country. This makes it a home not only to American athletes, but also foreign athletes.
The United States is different from other countries, on top of that, LSU has its own environment. College is an adjustment for every student whether they’re an athlete or not. The adjustment is even bigger coming from a different country.
Sophomore Julien Penzlin started his LSU experience in Fall 2022. Penzlin is on the men’s tennis team and is originally from Frankfurt, Germany. His first experience in Baton Rouge was in June when he visited LSU for two days. After being a student at LSU for almost two months, the biggest cultural differences Penzlin mentioned were the people and the food.
“The food is completely different to what I normally eat in Germany, and I would say the people are more friendly,” Penzlin said.
Soccer player Brenna McPartlan, golfer Chris Woollam and tennis player Nina Geissler all had the same answer saying the food is the biggest difference. Out of all the cultural differences and adjustments it’s interesting that food is something all of them agree is shockingly different.
“The portions of food are so much bigger in America,” Geissler said.
“The food is pretty different. Going to a crawfish boil was definitely an experience.” Woollam said.
McPartlan is a fifth-year senior originally from Blackburn, England. Prior to LSU, McPartlan spent three seasons playing at the University of South Alabama. McPartlan describes the facilities at LSU as “next level”. She also mentioned that practices at LSU are more competitive and intense than back in England.
“The weather makes it so much tougher, but we have international coaches which makes the playing style similar to back home, but the players here are more technical and athletic which is different from back home,” McPartlan said.
Another adjustment for the international athletes was harder practices but easier schoolwork.
Most athletes in other countries don’t train as much as they do in the U.S., however these athletes are still on LSU sports teams and at similar athletic levels as their teammates. McPartlan only practiced soccer a few times a week in England, compared to practicing every day at LSU.
Penzlin said it’s much more competitive being at LSU. In South Africa, it’s not as intense as LSU golf practices.
Relating to schoolwork, Woollam and McPartlan said almost everything at LSU is multiple choice which isn’t very common in South Africa or England. Geissler’s only concern with the education was the possible language barrier.
“I wasn’t worried because knew I was coming from Switzerland which is very advanced,” said Geissler.
LSU has some of the up-to-date resources and sports facilities in the country. Most of their facilities have been updated and renovated within the last 10 years.
“They have so many more resources here. And it’s like, more competitive and they want you as a player improve like a lot here as the student and athlete,” Penzlin said.
“They take care of the athletes really well here and help you find your place,” Woollam said.
Woollam is currently in his fifth year at LSU. He had visited the U.S. prior to committing to LSU, but spent most of his time on the east coast visiting family near New York.
“I definitely expected southern hospitality in Louisiana,” Woollam said.
Going to college is a big adjustment for local students, however many have the comfort of being close to family. Something all four of these athletes have in common is missing family.
Non-athletes that live close by and even athletes from different states are typically able to see their families more frequently. Not only is it much harder for family to visit for a weekend, COVID-19 restrictions made the last few years even tougher for their families to travel internationally.
“I miss my family a lot, it doesn’t get easier,” Woollam said. “My teammates and their families are like a second family though.”
Penzlin echoed that statement but added that having livestreams of games is helpful for his family.
“I’ve been calling my parents and siblings a lot so I haven’t gotten home sick so far but it’s nice to know that they can watch the livestreams of my matches when I’m competing, so I know they’re there with me when they watch,” Penzlin said.
Although LSU is tougher than what the student athletes are used to, the environment is helping them grow not only as athletes but also students. As Geissler said, the environment is very professional. Penzlin expected that he needed to ask a lot of questions and be on top of things himself but was pleasantly surprised that the faculty was so helpful.
“They (LSU) really want you to improve as a student athlete,” Penzlin said.
