University of North Carolina Athletics
I'm A Tar Heel: Nina Notman
October 29, 2015 | Field Hockey
Dear Tar Heel Fans,
I want to start off this letter with how thankful I am to have been given the opportunity to represent the University of North Carolina. Admittedly, I didn't really know what I was getting myself into when I came to UNC. I felt the desire to change something when I was in my first year of business studies at a college at home in Germany because I realized that business wasn't it for me. I've always been adventurous and enjoyed to travel – which is why I spent a gap year after high school in Barcelona – so I started to think about coming to college in the U.S. A friend at home, Janne Grove, had already committed to come to UNC and she advised me to consider UNC. Only a couple weeks after we talked, I found myself in a plane over the North Atlantic, heading to Chapel Hill. As soon as I arrived on campus I fell in love with the school.
Three years later, I can say that this was one of the best decisions I have made in life so far. My experience at Carolina has had an incredible impact on my personal, academic, and athletic development. Athletically, my time at Carolina has been eye opening. Never in my life had I trained in such a dedicated, thriving environment. I've learned to be strong – mentally and physically. Within my first summer at Carolina, my coaches and teammates made it clear that I had to rewrite my definition of “hard work.” Academically, Carolina has given me the chance to find something I am truly interested in. I'm graduating in December with a major in psychology and a minor in neuroscience. My future plans are taking me back home to Germany. In January, I am starting an eight-month internship at a clinic, in the neurology and research department, and in the spring I'll apply to graduate school in the field of neuropsychology in order to get my master's and then pursue a Ph.D. (hopefully). Long term, I want to be a professor and do research. UNC has put me in a great position to reach those goals. Personally, I've grown up a lot in my three years. Before I came here I always took everything really lightly. My experience at Carolina has showed me the importance of persistence and focus.
One of my favorite professors at UNC told me, “it is the ability to outwork people that will bring you far in life.” With that said, I am incredibly thankful that Carolina taught me how to do so.
Overall, my time here has been wonderful. To me, Carolina truly is “the University of the people.“ I'm far from home, but the people here have made me always feel welcome. My coaches, friends, teammates, fans, professors, and the entire athletic staff have been unbelievably supportive. I'm excited to be back in Europe and closer to my family, but I know I'll always have a family here in North Carolina.
Thanks so much for all your support! Go Heels!
Best,
