Ariona Ieremia '16 Recruiting Profile

Kia ora, my name is Ariona Ieremia and I am a field hockey player from Hamilton, New Zealand. I have been playing since the age of five and have always loved the mental and physical challenge the game brings. Playing hockey has allowed to me to compete at many different levels and meet new people who share their style of play, skills and love of hockey with me. I have always aspired to study overseas and since realising that field hockey is played at a collegiate level, I knew the US was where I wanted to be. 

My biggest asset on the field is I am strong - mentally and physically. I will work hard to get every ball and make sure every pass I give is 100%. I will not give up till the final whistle blows. Being a defender, I have good communication skills and leadership to direct the defensive unit. I am coachable and enjoy receiving constructive criticism and feedback to help improve my game. I am hard working and will always strive to be the best I can be.

In the classroom, I work to maintain good grades and a good GPA. I am currently half way through my second year of study at The University of Waikato here in Hamilton, New Zealand. I am studying towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Primary School Education (Elementary Education) where I would like to specialise in Special Education. I have a passion for teaching and have always loved helping others and being around children. I am very interested in the education programmes US universities have to offer and would love to explore the US education system in comparison to the New Zealand education system. I attended Hamilton Girls' High School in Hamilton, New Zealand and graduated in 2016. (I had to put Hamilton Boys' High School on my profile as Hamilton Girls' High School was not listed).

My decision to want to attend college in the USA is based on the opportunities and experiences that are not available here in New Zealand. I have recently returned from the USA where I witnessed my brother graduate from Iowa State University. I fell in love with the campus, the student life, the facilities and the culture the University had to offer and I could instantly see myself fitting into that scenario. Not only is sport big in the USA, academics are also important and the education programmes at the universities I have researched is what interests me the most.

Being from a small country, I know there is a world of opportunities out there and I would love to explore them. I want to push myself out of my comfort zones and into completely different environments. Field hockey is a growing sport in the USA and I can see it as the best place for me to develop my hockey career and obtain a world-class degree. I want to find the right college that competes at the highest level of competition and will push me in the classroom, however am open to all options. 

The USA fosters the sporting and academic future that I am willing to dedicate to and believe is the correct fit for me.