Name: Ella Franken
Born: May 30, 2005
Sport: Field Hockey
University: UC Davis
Placed: Fall 2023

Ella Franken grew up within one of the strongest field hockey environments in the Netherlands. At HC Den Bosch, she played at the national level and regularly competed for championships with her youth teams. Early on, Ella showed that she wanted to get the most out of herself, both athletically and academically. That ambition eventually brought her to the United States, where she now studies and plays field hockey at UC Davis.

Ella Franken is a great example of how top sports, studies and international experience can come together. After completing her VWO, she had clear goals: play at the highest level, receive a sports scholarship, combine study and sports, further explore her academic direction and gain international experience. However, the path also had challenges, such as limited contact with coaches and distance from family. Still, Ella remained motivated and focused on her dream.

Playing field hockey in the United States

Although Ella played for one of the best clubs in the Netherlands, not every university appeared to be looking for the type of player she is right away. Fortunately, the contact with UC Davis was very positive from the beginning. Slamstox Athlete Kim van der Meulen was also able to share valuable information about the university and the program from her own experience. During her visit, it became clear to Ella: this was the place where she felt at home. From the beginning, she gained a lot of confidence at UC Davis and could immediately play an important role within the team.

Switching to the American system took some getting used to in the first year. The rhythm, intensity and life far from home required adjustment. By now, Ella is fully acclimated and is reaping the benefits. She is getting lots of playing minutes, achieving sporting successes and continuously developing as a player.

Strong on and off the field

In addition to her athletic achievements, Ella has also made great strides academically. The balance between top sports and academic growth makes her adventure in America complete and successful. For Ella, UC Davis has proven to be the perfect environment to develop on all fronts.

The Role of Slamstox

Slamstox’s guidance played an important role throughout the process. From general guidance to fast-tracking and advising on scholarships and universities: Ella could count on personal support. Even when her visa application didn’t quite go smoothly, Slamstox helped her stay calm and find the right solutions together.

Ella Franken shows that even from the top of Dutch field hockey the move to America is not obvious, but with the right guidance and perseverance it is possible. She found a place where she is successful athletically, grows academically and feels completely at home. Her story inspires other field hockey players to also dare to take this step.

Do you want to play field hockey and study in America like Ella? Then schedule a free introductory meeting now!