American University - Mrs McHale's Experience

Ella Week's Interview with Mrs McHale:

Questions for Mrs McHale

1. When did you know you wanted to study in America?

I went on my first Senior England Tour, to the USA, when I was 16. This was the moment I really wanted to study in America. The amount of support given to collegiate athletic programmes there is unmatched. Their sports facilities and ethos around sport was incredible and had me hooked.

2. What preparation did you have to do to apply (ACT + SAT)?

I only had to take my SATs at this time. It was not like any other test that I had taken before so I knew that a lot of hard work and preparation was needed to succeed. I bought the relevant text books for studying and prepared for the test.

3. How did you apply for a scholarship?

I wrote to around 30 different Universities and sadly, did not get a single place offered to me. This was discouraging, but I had a plan B in case this happened with a secured place at Birmingham University in the UK. I made it to the U19 World Cup 2007, which was held in Canada. I got scouted at this tournament and offered a scholarship to the University of Maryland.

4. What did you study?

I studied Kinesiology which is the same as Sports Science.

5. Was it hard being away from friends and family?

I am a real home person and my favourite thing is to have family time. I found being away from them really tough but their support was incredible and made it much easier for me.

6. Did you go home and visit parents often?

I went home twice a year. During the playing season you do not have that opportunity because your game schedule is busy. I went home for Christmas and summer break.

7. What was the social aspect like?

The social aspect was very similar to UK social life. During the season you were focused on the sporting journey but it’s important to have relaxing down time too. It was very much like in the movies.

8. How did you balance work and sport?

You have a lot of academic support as a varsity athlete. You have someone called an academic advisor who helps you to select modules. If you were finding a class difficult they would also get you tutors to help support you through the class. You have to achieve a certain academic grade (GPA) in order to play your sport.

9. Was it hard as an international student?

I think being away from home was tough. However, being an international student on the team, I was spoilt rotten. All the families would look after you and spoil you.

10. What did you like most about being in America?

I made incredible friends and the professionalism of the sport was definitely a highlight for me. It is the closest to playing at the professional level for Lacrosse. I feel incredibly lucky that I had this amazing experience.

11. What was your greatest achievement?

We won the NCAA title in 2010 after nine years of Maryland not winning the national title. It was an amazing feeling after years of hard work to lift that trophy with my teammates and celebrate. In America, if you win the NCAA tournament, you get invited to the White House and get to meet the president. The picture below is when we got to meet Obama.