MORRISVILLE, N.Y. – For many student-athletes, coming to SUNY Morrisville means adjusting to a new team, a new academic workload, and a new level of competition. For international student-athletes, that transition goes even further, bringing them thousands of miles from home into a completely new culture, education system, and way of life.
Despite those challenges, international Mustangs continue to make an impact both in the classroom and in competition, while embracing opportunities that extend far beyond athletics. Each athlete arrives with a unique story, shaped by their journey from their home country to Morrisville and the experiences that have helped them grow along the way.
From navigating cultural differences to balancing academics and athletics at the collegiate level, these student-athletes have developed resilience, independence, and a strong sense of community. Their journeys highlight not only the global reach of Morrisville athletics, but also the shared commitment to success that defines the Division III experience.
Olivia Camacho (Barrigada, Guam), a member of the women's softball team, made the journey from Guam to SUNY Morrisville, a change that came with both excitement and challenges.
"The journey from Guam to SUNY was definitely a long and hard process," Camacho said. "Having to move, say goodbye to my family, and then a long travel day across the world made the process tough."
Camacho said softball, and the strong sense of family within the program, played a major role in her decision to come to Morrisville. While the cultural adjustment was manageable, the biggest change came with the weather.
"I came from summer weather all year round to experiencing my first winter, and it sucked," she said.
Despite the transition, Camacho has found success by focusing on time management and personal growth.
"I feel myself becoming more independent and learning who I am," she said.
Her advice to other international student-athletes is simple:
"Give it a try, you never know what could happen. I don't regret coming here."
For men's soccer player
Aaron Chapman (Aberdeenshire, Scotland), the transition from Scotland to SUNY Morrisville came with its own set of challenges and rewards.
"My journey from Scotland to SUNY Morrisville was exciting but also hard," Chapman said. "The hardest part was leaving everything I knew behind and traveling solo to start a new life as an 18-year-old."
Before even arriving on campus, Chapman faced obstacles, including traveling to London for a visa appointment shortly before his flight to the United States. Despite the difficulties, he credits his teammates and coaches for helping him quickly feel at home.
"The easiest part was settling in," he said. "My teammates and coach helped me massively, and it allowed me to have a great preseason."
Chapman noted that adjusting academically and athletically took time, especially after stepping away from school prior to coming to Morrisville and adapting to the demands of daily training and travel.
"Training every day for two months was something totally new to me," Chapman said. "Culturally, the biggest adjustment was the food and not being able to drive."
Through the experience, Chapman says he has grown more independent and developed a greater appreciation for time with family.
"I only get to see them for a few months out of the year now, which has made me appreciate them a lot more," he said.
His advice to future international student-athletes:
"Morrisville is a great place to build close friendships and settle in quickly," Chapman said. "And definitely bring warm clothes."
Men's soccer player
Pedro Oliveira (Baraga, Portugal) also embraced the opportunity to continue both his academic and athletic career at SUNY Morrisville, making the transition from his home country of Portugal, while adapting to a new culture and language.
"My journey to SUNY Morrisville was both exciting and challenging," Oliveira said. "Moving to a new country meant leaving behind my family and everything familiar, but I saw it as a great opportunity to grow."
For Oliveira, one of the biggest adjustments came culturally, particularly with language.
"Portuguese is my native language, so having to use a different language 24/7 was a big change," he said.
Balancing academics and athletics require discipline and careful planning.
"I've had to plan my schedule carefully to stay on top of schoolwork while attending practices and games," Oliveira said. "It can be stressful at times, but it has taught me responsibility and how to stay focused on my goals."
Through the experience, Oliveira says he has grown both personally and academically.
"Being far from home pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me become more independent, resilient, and confident," he said.
His message to future international student-athletes reflects a common theme shared among his teammates:
"Don't be afraid to take the opportunity," Oliveira said. "It might feel stressful at first, but it's a great experience that will help you grow in many ways. Stay focused and be open to new experiences."
As Division III Week celebrates the student-athlete experience, the journeys of Morrisville's international athletes serve as a powerful reminder that success goes beyond competition. From building lifelong friendships to developing independence and resilience, these student-athletes continue to shape the Mustang community while representing the global reach of SUNY Morrisville. Their stories reflect what Division III athletics is all about—opportunity, growth, and the pursuit of excellence both on and off the field.
SUNY Morrisville's curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. The college is positioning itself to offer expanded graduate offerings, workforce programming and microcredentials. Future development of industry and educational partnerships will increase student success and response to student demand and market.
For more information about SUNY Morrisville, visit
www.morrisville.edu.
#RunAsOne
http://www.morrisvillemustangs.com
