Jean marcos Marte garcia '24 Recruiting Profile

Studying in the USA has been an amazing opportunity and experience, but it has also come with different kinds of challenges along the way. My journey to pursue higher education and sports in a different country was marked by a significant obstacle that tested my resilience: tearing my ACL and meniscus while playing soccer, the sport I love. Despite the pain and difficulties, I refused to give up, and this challenge has shaped me into a stronger, more determined person.

Leaving the familiar comforts of home and taking the opportunity to study in a foreign country is exhilarating, but at the same time, it is hard being so far away from my family. But I decided to do it and try new things in life. It wasn't long before I encountered the first challenge; the language barrier was one of the first obstacles I faced. Although I was proficient in English, I found it challenging to express my thoughts and ideas effectively. But I knew time and effort would take care of that. 

Soccer has always been an integral part of my life. It was not just a sport but a means of connecting with people and forming friendships, especially in a foreign country. One night, I had a normal season match around an hour away from my school. To me, it was a special night. Even though it may sound silly, it was my first match after turning 16, and this was 3 days after my birthday. I was having an amazing match and even scored until I experienced an excruciating injury. The moment my knee twisted in an unnatural direction and I heard a “pop”, I knew something was wrong. The pain was there, but what hurt me the most was the thought of not being able to play soccer again.

An MRI confirmed the severity of my injury: a torn ACL and meniscus. It was time to call my parents, explain the results, and schedule my surgery. I couldn’t believe it; it was my first injury ever. Receiving this news was the emotional struggle that was the most challenging. I had to accept that I couldn't participate in the sport I loved, at least for a considerable amount of time. This was a devastating blow to my morale, especially as I watched my friends continue to play without me.

My parents came to see me for my surgery, and that's something that helped me emotionally to get through this. Despite the physical pain and emotional turmoil, I was determined not to let this setback define my time abroad. I channeled my energy into academics, becoming a more attentive and dedicated student, but it didn't go as planned. I couldn't be at school because I had to go back home for my treatment for two months and do online classes. When I got back to school, I had to keep going to physical therapy multiple times a week and missed classes to be there.

Recovery from my injury was not linear, and there were days when I questioned whether I would ever play soccer again. The thought of quitting crossed my mind, but I refused to give up. I continued with my physical therapy, working relentlessly to rebuild my strength and mobility. The setback helped me realize that resilience is not just about facing adversity but also about adapting, learning, and growing stronger through it. Eventually, after months of hard work and persistence, I was back on the soccer field. The joy and satisfaction I felt were unparalleled. Not only had I regained my physical strength, but I had also grown mentally tougher. I now know that challenges can be overcome with determination and a positive mindset. Currently, my school completed the season undefeated, and we are the champions D-III OH State Championship.