I’ve been a soccer player my whole life, from age 6 all the way through college. I’ve seen the majority of the continental United States playing various youth tournaments, won and lost in a few massive games and created some relationships that will stay with me for the rest of my life. After enjoying 5 successful years of collegiate soccer, I found myself at a fork in the road, struggling to determine whether I wanted to chase my dream and try playing professionally, or hang up the boots and join the rest of my friends in the real world. I wouldn’t have ever considered myself the most talented soccer player, but I definitely thought there could have been a place for me in the professional game. So when I heard of the opportunity to train and play in an English academy with exposure to professional clubs AND get my master’s degree in a year, I thought it was too good to be true (which is funny because it turns out it actually was). I thought by starting at the bottom and climbing the ranks of English football, I’d make it and soon began the application process. I was accepted and began the necessary preparation for a year abroad.
That brings me to where I am today. I’ve been given this incredible opportunity, which, I guess is perfect for someone who doesn’t know where they want to go in life. Little did I know I was actually moving further away from establishing myself as a professional soccer player and closer to joining the ranks of millions of other athletes who fail to make it professionally in their sport. The academy didn’t turn out to be what I thought it would be and the level of play is far lower than I expected but I’m trying to make the best out of it considering most people won’t/don’t even get the opportunity to live in another country, let alone for a whole year. The staff, directors and coaches are all great, with incredible experience and playing careers, but I wouldn’t consider it an breeding environment for professional soccer players nor would I suggest the program to individuals who have serious ambitions of playing professional soccer. However, I do not regret my decision to study and play here. The experiences I’ve had on and off the field since coming here in August have been incredible and wouldn’t have been possible had I not journeyed across the pond. My master’s degree is now half way complete at Leeds Business School at Leeds Metropolitan University and I’m thoroughly enjoying the experience of an international postgraduate education.
Taylor's Diem 