Erfahrungsbericht

Um euch die Erfahrungen eines College-Fußballers näher zu bringen, hat Alan McGreal exklusiv für soccerships einen kleinen Erfahrungsbericht über seine Zeit als Fußballer am College geschrieben. Alan hat vier Jahre lang am Canisius College studiert. Dabei ist er zum erfolgreichsten Fußballer in der Geschichte des Colleges geworden. Er wurde vier mal in das Conference Team der Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference berufen und hält mit 35 Toren und 29 Vorlagen die Rekorde des Colleges. Alan, der aus Dublin in Irland stammt, war als internationaler Student vier Jahre lang mit einem Sportstipendium am College und hat seinen Abschluss in "Physical Education" gemacht.

" Hello all,

My name is Alan McGreal and I am from Dublin, Ireland. I attended Canisius College, Buffalo, New York from 2006 to 2010 on a soccer scholarship. To everyone thinking about doing what I did, I encourage you to do it as it was the best experience I have ever had. Canisius College is a divison 1 athletic program and play's in the MAAC conference.

I agreed to attending Cansius College after Coach Hesch was in Ireland and seen me play. He offered me a scholarship and I accepted. From the moment I landed in Buffalo, I was making friends so if you are worried about being homesick, the Americans are very nice people and made me feel at home straight away. I was the first Irish person to go there but there were many international students aswell. At Canisius College, they had a International dorm but I was put in with the Americans, which made it easier to adjust. Classes were good. Being a soccer player, I had to schedule my classes around training but you could schedule your classes at different times during the day so If you like to sleep in, you can schedule them later in the evening. Being on the soccer team, you are a bit of a celebrity around the college. Teachers and students know who you are specially being a international, which can help you out in the long run.

Being an athlete, you are bascially a full time soccer player. You train every day and play 1 or 2 matches a week for the first 4 months. That's usually how long the season is. Then you would still train and you would go to the weight room 3 to 4 times a week aswell. In the spring semester, you would play friendly games.

It was the best experience I have had and I would do it all again if I had the chance. I made many new friends, made contacts in the soccer world and earn myself a Physical Education teaching degree. Any people thinking of doing it, you should and you will not regret it.

Warm Regards

Alan McGreal     "