For all the homesick freshmen, put yourself in Pascale Schnitzer's shoes.
A no-preference freshman on the MSU women's tennis team, Schnitzer moved more than 5,000 miles away from her home in Santiago, Chile, at the beginning of this semester to play tennis.
Ranked No. 1 in Chile in her 18-and-under age division, Schnitzer decided to move to the United States in order to study and play tennis at the same time - an opportunity not available for her in Chile. With the support of relatives in Ann Arbor, she decided MSU was the best fit.
"The only opportunity for me to study and play is here (in the United States)," Schnitzer said.
After almost two months in Michigan, Schnitzer said she misses her family, friends, her home and bed, but Schnitzer has had the opportunity to experience a new lifestyle.
After playing on clay courts all her life, Schnitzer had to adapt to the hard courts typical of tennis in the United States. Also, Schnitzer said, in Santiago, the temperatures are much warmer and there is no snow, which leaves her struggling to live with Michigan's climate.
But head coach Tim Bauer knew Schnitzer would adapt to the differences and become a solid contributor to the team.
"She has skills in her game that will fare well on our courts," Bauer said.
The transition north was made smoother by Schnitzer's doubles partner, freshman Jessica Baron, who can communicate with Schnitzer in her native language.
"I am from Miami and can speak Spanish," Baron said. "If Pascale says, 'Come on,' in Spanish during a match, I can respond. We give each other confidence."
Currently, Schnitzer plays No. 5 singles and No. 3 doubles on the team, and her record is 5-3 in both singles and doubles, something she said inspires her to work harder.
"It is good for me to have players better than me," Schnitzer said.
Schnitzer's ability to handle pressure was tested during a Feb. 15 singles match against Jessica Thompson of Ball State. With the two teams neck-and-neck, and the match's outcome hinging upon Schnitzer's performance, she split her first two sets with Thompson. With the pressure on, Bauer pulled her aside before the final set.
"I asked if she could win, and she said, 'Yes,' and won 6-0," he said. "She clinched the match for us."
Back home in Chile, Schnitzer had an active social life, including going out with her friends in Santiago, skiing in the mountains and listening to soft music by artists such as Phil Collins and Bryan Adams.
As Schnitzer is adjusting to American culture, her teammates have been able to experience a little bit of her own lifestyle. Practicing Spanish pronunciation with Schnitzer, Baron said, is a guaranteed way to leave the team in fits of laughter.
Bauer said team camaraderie contributes greatly to the atmosphere at MSU and that having people from other places can teach the girls about diversity while having a lot of fun.
"I think these kids get education on court and in the classroom," Bauer said. "We take pride in taking girls from high school to the working world, helping them mature as people," he said.
While it has taken some time for Schnitzer to adjust to living on her own, being more independent and the "more organized, everyday life" of Americans, she said she is enjoying herself.
"I want to give my best in tennis and in my studies," Schnitzer said. "I am very happy with my decision. It is a very good opportunity the university gives to play tennis and study."
