Originally from Cologne, Germany, American football athlete Bryan arrived at the world-renowned NFL Academy in Loughborough in 2023, with aspirations of studying and training for a future in America.
“I chose to study here to continue my journey and pursue my dreams…there’s no better place than here to do it,” says Bryan.
“Though at first I worried about how I would adapt to life in Loughborough, I have embraced all the changes and it’s all been going really well. The games we have played with the NFL Academy have been great, and I’m enjoying my courses.
Making new connections is my biggest success. Loughborough College is so open to everyone.
“If I had to describe my experience here, it’d be ‘welcoming, fun, and hospitable’.”
As part of the NFL Academy, Bryan and his fellow athletes are offered access to elite sporting facilities and spend time focusing on character and academic development in order to develop the tools for success in their next steps. Reflecting on the unique dual pathway offered at the College, Bryan says he’s learning both in and out of the classroom, “I’ve always received great support from teachers and our academic supervisors,” he says. “They’ve taught me so much, and I’ve gained new skills like how to work independently, the importance of consistency, and how I can structure my day.”
For the 2023-24 academic year, the NFL Academy is supporting over 60 students from across 13 countries across the world, promoting elite football performance and player pathway opportunities. Since its inception, more than 40 students have gone on to secure college football scholarships in the United States, and Bryan is hoping to be the next in line, sharing, “I’m hoping to go to college in the US and this is how I want to get there. The NFL Academy and Loughborough is the best place in Europe when it comes to football. It’s a springboard to success.”
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