Name: Julienne van Bekkum

Date of birth: Aug. 7, 2002

Sports: Hockey
University: Penn State University – University Park
Placed: Fall 2023

From Rotterdam to Penn State

Julienne van Bekkum is a true field hockey enthusiast. She has been playing the sport since she was five years old, and her passion for field hockey has always been an important part of her life. As a student at Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Bachelor of Medicine, however, Julienne had a bigger dream: the chance to combine her sport at the highest level with an academic career in the United States.

With ambitions to play field hockey at a top Division 1 field hockey program as well as pursue a master’s degree that aligned with her medical studies, Julienne had clear requirements for her future. The combination of high academic standards, a challenging field hockey program and a full scholarship was the ideal match for her. But would it be feasible?

Juliennes quick route to Penn State

Julienne started the process only in December, with only a few months before the deadline to make a decision. She received several offers from top Division 1 schools, but the time constraints were high and the options had to fit her requirements both academically and athletically. Julienne is a bright, driven student, so it was essential that the university had not only a top field hockey program, but also a master’s program that would support her academic ambitions.

The result

Julienne has found the combination of top field hockey and academic challenge at Penn State, where she is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Biobehavioral Health. Thanks to her hard work on and off the field, she has proven that she is a top student as well as a top athlete. Her full scholarship is a testament to her perseverance and dedication to both her sport and her studies.

The transition to the American system

The transition to the American system took some getting used to at first for Julienne. Like many international students, she was dealing with the typical homesickness that comes with moving to another continent. But as she began to get more comfortable, she soon discovered she was in the right place. Julienne is now super happy at Penn State and has fully found her place on both the field hockey team and her academic environment.

Are you interested in playing college field hockey in the U.S.? Schedule a free introduction!