Moving from home to another country to attend school can be scary. Finding a group of girls that enjoy playing the same sport can make it easier to adjust. For Rena Kawakami, ’21, moving from Kyoto, Japan and adjusting was not the only challenge she would face at NCC.
Kawakami is currently a double major in entrepreneurship and management. She has had the chance to showcase her skills on NCC’s women’s tennis team, a sport she has played since seventh grade.
Joining NCC women’s tennis
Kawakami ultimately chose NCC for two reasons. The first being the scholarships available to her. The second is the women’s tennis team. She felt joining the tennis team would help her transition easier to a new school.
As an international student, she didn’t have many friends. In August, before classes started, the tennis team started their practices. This gave Kawakami the chance to get to know her teammates and form relationships with the group.
“I wanted to make a lot of friends before starting classes, and I wanted to improve my English,” said Kawakami.
Her teammates, as well as her coaches, helped make her feel comfortable and adjust to her new school easier.
COVID-19
Before COVID-19, the team was able to travel together. Now, the team has a limit on the number of people that can travel. They also have to wear face masks when around others.
“Before COVID-19, we gathered together some weekends or after practice. But we can’t now,” said Kawakami.
Memories of NCC
Kawakami’s first year on the team was focused on recruiting players who could win. By the time she was a junior, the team was No. 3 in the Division III Top 25.
“I have so many memories during the four years. Every spring, the team would travel to Florida for games,” said Kawakami. “Most of the day we had games, so we didn’t have free time. When we had time, we went to the beach close to the hotel.”
The team’s fall schedule was pushed to the spring semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They spent most of the fall semester practicing for their upcoming season. With this being her last semester, she won’t be competing after college. The spring schedule will be her last chance to compete for both NCC and at the collegiate level.
