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International student-athletes have quite a bit to become accustomed to once they arrive at ������ and begin their college careers.

In addition to adjusting to rigorous academic and athletic training, they must become acclimated to a new culture, customs and food. 

, a punter for the Kent State Golden Flashes football team, also had to contend with a bout of homesickness that kicked in after traveling nearly 10,000 miles from Narre Warren, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia, to Kent State.

Smith, who was 18 at the time, remembers leaning on his coaches at Kent State who offered him the support he needed to make it through the tough times. 

“There were definitely times early on that I was homesick and just having friends and such supportive people around me, I got over it pretty quickly,” Smith said. “It probably only lasted two weeks and it all clicked together, and it just felt like, this is a second home.”

As we watch the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France, we think about the extraordinary commitment and perseverance that it takes to leave home to study and compete in a foreign country.

Smith and the other international student-athletes featured here are not competitors in the Paris Olympics, but it still takes tremendous grit and fortitude to do what they do.

Josh Smith, Australia, Golden Flashes Football

Smith, a Recreation, Park and Tourism Management major in the College of Education, Health and Human Services, knew nothing of Kent State or Ohio for that matter when he arrived here at the age of 18. 

But once Smith was on campus, the coaches, staff, his new teammates and friends became more like family.

“My coaches were really supportive of me the whole way,” Smith said. “They knew that coming from Australia was hard and they understood, and it was good to have them as mentor figures to train me through things that I may not be getting from being away from my family.”

Early on, Smith struggled with academics and changed his major from business, but he has fallen in love with the Recreation, Park and Tourism Management major and is hoping to make the dean’s list or president’s list in the future. Smith said he wants to have a good football year and take his academics to the next level.

“It’s definitely a piece of me now,” Smith said. “Kent State was the right choice for me. Just the friends I have met here – I have lifelong friends here who will always have a place in my heart and Kent will always have a place in my heart.”  

Alexandre Malanda, France, Track and Field

a member of the Golden Flash Men’s Track and Field team, said he had other options when he was considering Kent State, but Kent State gave him this special “vibe” compared to other colleges.

“My coach was very friendly, and he was here to help me compare [Kent State] to other schools, who were a little bit distant with me. My coach responded to all my messages and calls. If I had a question he would [answer] me right away.

Malanda is a junior and hails from Paris, France. His major is in the College of Education, Health and Human Services. Since attending Kent State, Malanda said he has met some of the best instructors in his educational experience and has developed a large circle of friends from other sports.

He started as a communication studies major, but he was not “feeling it” so he switched to the sports major so that he could one day become a coach for track or soccer.

Malanda is a first-generation college student, and his family is extremely proud of him. 

“I am going to be the first graduating in my family ... it is a big thing for me. I am going to be the only one [in my family] so that is going to be a great moment for me.”

Bianca Juzzo, Brazil, Golden Flashes Women's Basketball

When came to Kent State from Brazil to play women’s basketball for the Golden Flashes in the fall of 2023, the inconceivable happened. The Flashes captured the Mid-American Conference tournament championship, the team’s first since 2002.

“It was unbelievable,” said Juzzo, of Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, “but as soon as we won against Ball State in the semifinals, we were just like: ‘It’s us. It has to be us.’”

While Juzzo was playing for New Mexico Junior College, a recruiter approached her about transferring to Kent State. She was sold on Kent State after her first visit. She felt the warmth and hospitality that made her feel special and like Kent State was home.

Juzzo is a senior majoring in in the College of Education, Health and Human Services. She realizes that the lessons she learns both on the basketball court and in the classroom regarding commitment are preparing her for her future after college.

One of Coach Todd Starkey’s sayings that is always ringing in Juzzo’s head is something she lives and plays by.

“One thing that he always says to me is to be ready, so you do not have to get ready,” Juzzo said. “So, it is a mantra that I have inside of me, and I hope that I keep having this year.”