Q: What made you interested in athletic training?
A: In undergrad, I was pre-physical therapy: exercise science and fitness and wellness. My upbringing revolved around sports, and injury prevention is something that I’m very passionate about, but where I grew up, we never talked about athletic training. It was always physical therapy, occupational therapy, personal training, coaching, medical school.

When I took an athletic injuries class my senior year, I realized I wanted to be an athletic trainer. I graduated with my bachelor’s in fitness and wellness and sport management and a minor in personal training, but I then took the time to get certified in strength and conditioning and complete my prerequisites to be accepted into an athletic training program.
 

Q: Where did you grow up?
A: My dad is Sri Lankan and my mom is Filipino, but I grew up in Thailand and we moved to the United States. When I was in middle school, we moved to California and I completed high school there and then did my undergrad in Nebraska. And then after graduating, my dad got a job in Michigan so we moved here three years ago, which is why Michigan was on my radar for grad school.
 

Q: How did you choose U-M?
A: I applied to four universities, and Michigan was the first one to respond to me. When I researched the university and toured the place, I really liked the campus and who my potential professors were going to be.

So when I heard back, I was like, ‘This is one of the top schools in the program. I definitely want to go here. But I don’t know if I can afford it.’ But I didn’t want to let money stop myself from completing this program because it’s what I see myself doing.
 

Q: How did you end up affording it? Did you apply for scholarships?
A: My older brother is helping me with rent, and I take the bus everywhere. I go to the Maize & Blue Cupboard for groceries. Local church members have been helpful as well.

Since I’m considered an international student, there aren’t many scholarships available to us. You have to be a U.S. citizen, or if you’re applying for a scholarship with your country of origin, you have to promise to return to your country. I’ve been living in the U.S., and I don’t know if I can promise that.

I did receive the Diversity & Inclusion Student Scholarship from the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association, which gave me $2,000 and paid for hotel and registration for this year’s conference in Chicago. I wasn’t required to go to the conference, but they wanted to present me with a plaque as well as the money, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to network and connect with people to see possibilities for either work or research. I wanted to see what was out there and learn.

That was two weekends ago, and I felt very welcomed by all the different athletic trainers I met. I asked if I could get their contact information to reach out and ask questions, and they were more than happy to. I met other students from different universities as well as those who had just graduated and those who were in the field for the first time. So it was very good to see the different steps and learn how they got where they are.
 

Q: How far along are you in the athletic training program?
A: This is my third semester. I have the summer and this coming fall, and then hopefully I’ll graduate in December.
 

Q: What has motivated you to keep going through all the obstacles?
A: Definitely my passion for the profession. I really want to be an athletic trainer. But also all the doors that have been opened so far, like getting into the program, then getting tuition for the summer, and then fall, and then the scholarship, just one after another. There have been small doors and windows open here and there. It tells me I’m supposed to be here.
 

Q: How’s the program gone so far?
A: The summer was intense, but I made it through. Last semester was rough with the amount of classes on top of starting my first clinical rotation, but it taught me how to prioritize my time. This semester has been good so far, having the experience from my first clinical rotation and a lighter course load. This program definitely solidified my decision to become an athletic trainer because even though classes were hard, I loved what I was learning. My professors, faculty, and preceptors have been incredibly supportive throughout my time here at Michigan and for that, I will always be grateful.
 

Q: What are your long-term goals?
A: Soccer is my passion. So working with a professional team as a certified athletic trainer would definitely be a middle-term goal of mine. But in the long term, I think I want to open a sports complex in my parents’ home countries because the opportunity to participate in sport is not available. We have the talent, but we don’t have the resources for that. So definitely giving opportunities for youth and young adults to have access to sports as an avenue for education.