Name: Maud van Duin

Born: Oct. 1, 2005

Sports: Field Hockey
University: Mount Olive University
Placed: Fall 2022

From interest to reality
Maud van Duin is the oldest in a large family and has always been passionate about field hockey. She played for years at Alphen, where she further developed her love for the sport. But her adventure to America actually began with a presentation of Slamstox at her school. This is where Maud first learned about the possibility of combining her studies and sports career in the United States. The idea of going to America grew quickly and became more and more concrete.

The perfect combination
Maud faced an important choice: what direction did she want to take in her studies, and where could she combine her field hockey ambition with academic growth? At first, it was difficult for Maud to decide what she wanted to study. Yet she already had a clear desire: she wanted to go to America to find out, combining field hockey and school.

During the process, Maud noticed that finding the right school was not easy. She wanted to find a place where she would feel at home both athletically and academically. And luckily, after a thorough search, Maud found exactly the college that suited her: Mount Olive University.

The pathway
The journey to a place at Mount Olive was not without its challenges for Maud. The biggest question for Maud was whether the adventure in America was really for her. The decision was not easy, but after an informative, no-obligation introductory meeting with Slamstox, Maud felt certain: this was her chance.

During the process, Maud had intensive and good contact with Marle van Dessel of Slamstox. Marle not only helped Maud with the administrative process and paperwork, but also gave valuable advice on choosing the right university. Thanks to this personal contact and knowledge of the American system, Maud was able to focus fully on making informed choices, despite the time constraints. Communication with coaches and support during the application process ensured that Maud ultimately went to Mount Olive University with confidence.

The result
Maud arrived at Mount Olive University and was welcomed with open arms. It was a fresh start, but it felt right away. She made friends quickly and had an excellent click with her teammates and the coaches. One of her greatest memories so far was reaching the conference finals with her team.

The transition to the American system went smoothly, although Maud did not play much at first. This was difficult for her, but she understood that she had to work even harder to earn her playing minutes. And that is exactly what she did. Because of her hard work and determination, she eventually got more playing time and was able to further develop her talents.

Maud’s journey
Maud’s adventure in America has only just begun, but her journey is one of growth and adventure. Not only has she found the right university, but also her place on a team where she can further develop her field hockey career. Thanks to the support of Slamstox, Maud has had a great opportunity to pursue both her athletic and academic ambitions, and she looks forward to what else the future will bring her.

Quote from Maud
“Going to the finals with my team was an amazing moment. Experiences like that make everything worthwhile! Studying and playing field hockey in America felt like the perfect opportunity to develop myself – both as an athlete and a person.”

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