Homesickness, the time difference, the first months: our advice for the player, and for the parents back home.
People talk a lot about scholarships and level of play. They talk less about what often makes the difference in the first year: the mental side. Leaving at 16 or 18, thousands of kilometres from home, is an adventure. Our founder lived it: he moved to the United States at 16.
Homesickness is normal
In the first weeks, everything is new: the campus, the team, the language. Then the routine sets in, tiredness arrives, and so do the first difficulties. That is often when family, friends and home cooking are missed the most.
It is normal, almost every player goes through it, and it passes. What matters is not to face it alone.
Our advice for players
- Build a routine: classes, practice, homework, sleep. A solid structure helps you get through the low moments.
- Speak English from day one, even with other French players. It is the fastest way to feel at home.
- Lean on the people around you: teammates, coach, host family, academic advisor.
- Set a regular call time with your family, rather than being on the phone all day.
- If something is wrong, say so early. A problem solved in a week can ruin a season if it drags on.
The time difference
Expect a 6-hour difference with the East Coast and up to 9 hours with the West Coast. When it is 8 pm in Paris, it is 2 pm in New York and 11 am in Los Angeles. Evenings in France often fall during classes or practice: it is better to agree on a time that works for everyone, at the weekend for example.
For parents
Distance is felt at home too. A few pointers:
- A difficult call does not mean everything is going wrong. Give it a few days before you worry.
- Encourage independence: your child is learning to solve problems alone, and that is part of the project.
- If you are genuinely worried, contact us: we stay in touch with the players and with their coaches.
- Plan trips home early, following the school's calendar.
We stay involved
Our role does not end at departure. We stay in regular contact with every player, on the academic, athletic and administrative side. And depending on our availability, we visit some of them on their campus every year.
Do you have questions about leaving, or is your child getting ready to go? Book a free call and let us talk.
