From hockey to Princeton
Studying in the U.S. wasn’t something Ophélie had planned far in advance. “Actually, it was a last-minute decision,” she says. “I was in my senior year of high school and wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to study. In the Netherlands, you have to make a decision right away, but I actually still wanted to figure out what suited me best. Through someone at my hockey club in Maastricht, I heard about the opportunities to study in the U.S. With the help of a placement agency, I created a profile and a video, which were sent to coaches in the U.S.”
Not long after, Princeton came into the picture. “They just happened to have a spot open on the hockey team. Everything happened very quickly: taking tests, applying, visiting the campus. Once I was on campus, I immediately felt that this was the right fit for me. Not just because of the university itself, but also because of the system in the U.S.: you’re both a student and an athlete, and you have the freedom to try out different courses during your first few years.” Ophélie ultimately chose a bachelor’s degree in Economics with a minor in Political Economy.
Student-athlete in the U.S.
Life as a student-athlete was intense, but also special, Ophélie explains. “Every day was packed. Classes and studying during the day, training with the team in the evening. I often spent my free time on campus anyway, with friends or at the so-called eating clubs, where you eat, study, and socialize. Of course, I sometimes missed my family, but I had a close-knit team and, on top of that, family friends near Princeton. That helped me feel at home quickly.”
The campus housing was typically American: “My first year, I shared a small room—complete with a bunk bed—with another student. You eat in the dining halls, and the campus really provides everything you need. It’s very different from the Netherlands, but that’s exactly what makes it a unique experience.”
A new chapter in Paris
After completing her bachelor’s degree, Ophélie moved to France, where she is now pursuing her master’s degree at Sciences Po in Paris. “The master’s program in International Economic Policy ties in nicely with my studies in the U.S. But my life outside of school is completely different here. I now live in an apartment in the city center with a roommate. I cook my own meals, have fewer class hours, and more freedom. It feels more grown-up, especially compared to the campus culture in the U.S.”
She’s really enjoying Paris. “It’s a beautiful city where there’s always something to do—museums, events, cafés. Still, I see it more as a place for my studies than as my future home. The lifestyle here is a bit more laid-back, while I might feel a little more active in cities like London or Amsterdam. But if a great job opportunity came up in Paris, I certainly wouldn’t say no.”
Broadening her horizons
Looking back, Ophélie is incredibly glad she took the plunge and moved abroad. “It has broadened my horizons immensely. You become more independent, more enterprising, and you discover that the world is much bigger than the Netherlands. Because of that, it feels very natural to me to consider a career in Brussels, London, or elsewhere after I finish my studies.”
She doesn’t know exactly what the future holds yet. “Maybe I’ll do a PhD; maybe I’ll stay at the consulting firm where I’m currently interning, working on European Union projects. I’m open to various possibilities. One thing is certain: I want to hold on to that international perspective.”
