A testimony rather than an interview. Margherita talks about her experiences, her feelings and how this path is changing her life.

You took part in the Showcase as an athlete and then as a tutor. What were your feelings today and what were those of the past? I had the opportunity to participate in two showcases as an athlete during the summer of my third and fourth year of high school with Sportlinx360. As an athlete, I felt tremendous excitement and happiness in visualizing my future in the United States, studying and playing volleyball in American colleges and universities. However, I can’t deny that during the showcases I was also a bit afraid to think about a future so far away from my family, my friends and Italy in general. In the third year, I was still in the process of exploring this option, while in the fourth year I was pretty much 100% sure that I wanted to go down this path. Participating in the showcases in 2018 and 2019 was one of the most significant experiences of my journey both as a student and as an athlete. In addition, participating as a tutor made me reflect once again on the importance of the path taken and of my sports and educational career, making me very happy to be able to help other girls overcome the doubts and uncertainties that I had also had in 2017 and 2018.

The Showcase is an essential step for those who dream of flying to the States. How do you prepare for this event? What advice can you give to those who want to participate and take advantage of this opportunity? The showcase is a key step as it offers a taste of what awaits you in the United States once you leave. It introduces you to the world of sports and American university studies. Jesica and Elitza, along with the rest of the staff, play a valuable role in guiding and explaining all the stages of this experience, making the showcase a unique and very interesting experience. There is no specific preparation, but it is important to be ready to get involved in every aspect: on the volleyball court, in the English language and during possible interviews with American coaches. My advice for those who want to participate in this experience is not to be afraid to show off, the showcase is the perfect opportunity to get noticed. American coaches not only evaluate your athletic ability, but also pay attention to your behavior on the court, your interest in studies, your leadership qualities and your ability to collaborate with teammates, and much more.

Your experience in America continues. What have been the main steps and the most important stages so far between life, study and volleyball? Moments, successes and emotions. This year I finished my third year in the United States, the first two at Southern Illinois University in Illinois and the last, after moving, at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Texas. Living in America has been a journey that has allowed me to learn many things in different areas, from daily life to study, passing through volleyball and the social sphere. The first semester as a freshman was the most complex and challenging, especially since I left during the COVID-19 pandemic. I had to adapt to a culture that was very different from ours, to the English language, to the intense life of student athletes, to the new social relationships I developed, to the different way of dealing with sport and studying. Even the most difficult moments I consider them as opportunities for personal growth and a fundamental part of my journey. There are so many good memories: the trips around the United States to play in huge arenas that we don’t even have in Serie A in Italy, the fun moments with my teammates and new friends, the excitement before games, the fun during training and the adventures with my friends outside of university. I was also fortunate enough to travel as a guest to my teammates’ homes, both in Colorado and Florida. I took a trip to New York City with my boyfriend one year and another trip with my mom and sister the following year. This year has been the best so far: at UTRGV I found a family and I had a lot of fun and satisfaction. The greatest joy was winning our Conference Regular Season during the fall of 2022, a moment I will never forget.

What has this student-athlete experience given you so far? How has it improved you? This experience has enriched me in every aspect of my life. I came to the United States as a young girl and came out as a grown woman. Living alone so far from home has made me understand and learn many things. I had to put myself out there and manage my time well. Personally, I’ve learned to believe more in myself and my abilities, not to be afraid to start something or fail, because it’s part of the journey. I learned to live and understand totally different cultures and I understood the importance of consistency in things: step by step, we can achieve what we want.

Many guys are leaving, others will leave. What’s the main piece of advice you want to give him? My main advice for those who are leaving or who will be leaving is to inform themselves thoroughly about what awaits them, in order to limit surprises once they arrive. It is helpful to listen to TV series or songs in English spoken in the United States, to familiarize yourself with the language and accent. You also don’t have to worry too much about making friends, as it’s much easier to bond on American campuses, where many live nearby and share similar routines. Finally, I recommend asking lots of questions to those who have already left, since we had the same doubts as those who are about to leave and we can offer valuable advice and stories of personal experiences.

In recent days, Jesica has flown to the United States with a stop at George Mason University – to attend the NCAA men’s volleyball finals – which is now the largest public university in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Headquartered in Fairfax County, in the greater Washington area, it now has four different campuses plus one in South Korea, in the city of Incheon.

Originally founded in 1949 as a regional branch of the University of Virginia, it became an independent institution in 1972. It is named after the founding father of the United States, George Mason, an important figure in the American Revolution and the Philadelphia Convention, referred to – along with James Madison – as the Father of the Bill of Rights.

THE FAIRFAX CAMPUS AND THE MASON STATUE – The Fairfax campus is the main campus, the largest one that covers over 274 hectares. There are many buildings that characterize it such as the Johnson Center, the Center for the Arts which can accommodate up to 2,000 people in the concert hall, the Long and Kimmy Nguyen Engineering Building and the recently renovated Exploratory Hall for Science. The main library on campus, Fenwick Library, another reference point for students, has also undergone a makeover. Of course, there are sports facilities such as three gyms, a swimming stadium, an outdoor and indoor athletics stadium and fields for soccer, baseball, lacrosse and tennis.

Absolutely worth mentioning is the EagleBank Arena, the 10,000-seat sports hall. The bronze statue of George Mason on the Fairfax campus created by Wendy M. Ross in April 1996 is certainly another element to note in our notes. The statue shows the founding father of the United States presenting his first draft of Virginia’s Bill of Rights, which later formed the basis for the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution.

INVESTMENTS IN RESEARCH – Speaking of campuses, it is certainly curious to know more about the headquarters created in South Korea, inaugurated in 2014 within the economic district of Incheon, which covers over 17,000 hectares and currently hosts over 850,000 students. A huge structure, an extraordinary potential that projects the GMU into an international dimension.

In terms of enrollment numbers, George Mason University is the largest in the Commonwealth of Virginia with over 30,000 students. There are 23 research institutes, from molecular medicine to the so-called SMART Lab specialized in medicine applied to sports: it is estimated that every year over 140 million dollars are invested in research and in particular on health, safety and environmental sustainability issues. On an educational-educational level, according to the niche.com website, George Mason University is ranked number 65 out of 270 as the Best Colleges for Information Technology and number 57 out of 695 as the Best Colleges for Criminal Justice in America, but the level paths offered are numerous.

The first ones we have to mention are certainly the two Nobel Prize winners in economics who taught at George Mason University: James M. Buchanan (Nobel Prize winner in 1986 who taught at GMU for a long time) and Vernon L. Smith (winner in 2002 together with Daniel Kahneman). Scrolling through and browsing through the yearbooks, then, you meet many other personalities who have completed their studies at GMU. We were also impressed by the many athletes who have passed through GM: many NBA, NFL, NHL and MLB stars graduated here. Other “characters”? Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Pulitzer Prize winners Pearlestein, Sherwin, Wilkins; Anousheh Ansari, engineer and the first Muslim woman in space; Anna E. Cabral, Treasurer of the United States under President George W. Bush; Denise Turner Roth, Administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration. Just to name a few, the list is very long.

SPORTS AT GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY – George Mason’s athletes and teams are nicknamed the Patriots. In most sports, they compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Atlantic 10 Conference. Basketball is certainly the most popular sport, especially after George Mason managed to reach the NCAA Final Four in 2006. Tony Skinn, the most talented player of his time, has now become the head coach of the men’s basketball team. There are also two NCAA championships won by the men’s track and field and women’s soccer teams, to which must be added the individual titles won in various disciplines by 23 GMU student-athletes. At the men’s volleyball level, the Patriots reached the semifinals of the 2023 Conference (EIVA) by losing to Penn State in a hard-fought matchup. The women’s team, today, is led by Megan Shifflett Bachmann, three-time NCAA champion.

The word to Alessandro Gianotti, 201 cm centre-back, gold medalist at the U19 World Championships in 2019 and silver medalist at the U20 European Championship the following year, who since the summer of 2021, has chosen to continue his sporting and academic career overseas.

Alessandro is studying Entrepreneurial Management at BYU (Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah), his team is currently No. 6 in the NCAA national rankings and in the coming weeks will enter the final stages of the championship.

We often talk about how this experience can change the lives of the guys who leave: so far what is your balance on and off the pitch?

From my point of view, I can confirm all the positive things that are said about this experience. For me, coming here was like starting a new life. I had the opportunity to meet a lot of new people, see a lot of places that until before I only “peeked” at on my phone. Having the opportunity to study at a university here in America, in addition to providing you with an incredible wealth of experience, opens many doors for you in the near future. As far as the field is concerned, I had the opportunity to interface with different methods than those used in our country. Those who know me know, I’m quite competitive when it comes to volleyball, and coming here has stimulated me even more to give 100%.

The impact with a different reality than ours is what all student-athletes emphasize to us, as you have confirmed to us. Daily life and study, what are the main differences compared to Italy and in what personally did you find it more difficult?

That’s right, there are a lot of differences between American and Italian realities. The way universities and sports are conceived in the States is totally different from how it happens in Italy. As a student-athlete, there are a lot of commitments, it is not surprising if, for example, during the season you are away for 4 days in a row and you cannot wait for various lessons and courses. What differentiates the U.S. is that attention is paid to these details and professors are generally very willing to help when they can. The thing that probably made me most difficult is the way the Americans think. When you enter a new country, or even continent as in this case, it is obvious that there are differences, and this is one of them, that is, the way of approaching, understanding interpersonal relationships, and communicating in general.

Differences that we imagine there are also on the pitch. How did the team welcome you and what particularly impressed you about American volleyball?

Luckily for me, I have a team that to call fantastic is an understatement. The guys are wonderful people and welcomed me with open arms from day one. There are other foreigners in the team, so all of them are more or less used to it and know what it means to have a person in the team who comes from another country and who obviously does not know the language very well and even less the people. What struck me about American volleyball is the availability in terms of gyms, physiotherapy and equipment that I don’t think even in the Super League can offer to the players. The university here puts its athletes in a position to perform to the best of their ability.

Life as a student-athlete is very challenging. What do you think can be the main skills to best support this experience between sport and study?

I confirm it’s tough. Life between workouts, weights at 6:30 in the morning and exams, can become really stressful, which is why I believe that the most important skill is planning and managing the time, the energy to devote to each individual activity.

To conclude, you left to have an experience, to confront yourself with a “different” volleyball, to learn and grow. I respect your future and the world of work, what do you think all this can give you more to achieve your ambitions?

I have no doubt when I say that this was the best choice of my life. This experience, in addition to giving me a degree and therefore the possibility of finding a job at the end of my volleyball career, has given me important life lessons, has taught me to get involved, open up to new opportunities and people, above all it has taught me to never give up. I think this will give me stimuli and strength that will make me go even further in life. Obviously, all this would not have been possible without the support of my loved ones, such as my family in the first place, but also of all the staff of Sportlinx360 who, from the very first moment, proved to be able to meet my desires and requests, with the highest professionalism I could imagine.

Park University is celebrating the Heart of America Athletic Conference title for the first time (in which they landed in 2021) after last Saturday’s victory against GrandView in the grand final. Congratulations to Alessandro Tolin, Michele Bascapè and coach Luciano Bucci, the latter named Coach of the Year. With this victory, the Pirates earned access to the National Championship (April 11-15 in DesMoines, Iowa) which puts the 2023 NAIA National Title up for grabs.

A more bitter end to the season certainly that of David Barcan with Life University who loses to St. Andrews after a hard-fought and balanced match for the race in the AAC Tournament and Daniel Cogo with Midway University: the Eagles lose the quarterfinals of the Mid-South Conference against Thomas More 3-0. While there is disappointment with the team trials, Daniel and David can console themselves with individual awards: the former was nominated in the Mid-South AcademicAll-Conference, an award for the best performing student-athletes, and in the Second Team All Conference; the second, on the other hand, in his first season overseas, was included in the Second Team of the Appalachian Athletic Conference.

What can I say, keep up the good work guys, we’re proud of your journey on and off the pitch!

She opened up to us, told us in detail about her experiences at an academic level, her travels, her ability to adapt to today’s work. A long interview where the NEVER GIVE UP learned on the pitch is also reflected in life. From a leap into the void to a unique experience. Perseverance and determination are the principles on which Chiara has based her career as a student-athlete.

You came to the States to attend a Junior College, then you moved to another until you reached Carolina University where you completed your degree and obtained a Master’s degree. Tell us about your academic “journey”, the various steps you have taken and the qualifications you have obtained!

I started my experience at Marshalltown Community College, Iowa. It was a bit lost in the middle of nowhere, but the people I met were amazing and helped me so much during the first year away from home. I still have a great relationship with many of them and we see each other occasionally throughout the year. In that first year I improved my English drastically (I didn’t have Italians in my first college so I had to adapt and learn the language).

The courses of study were not too difficult, the first year are mainly all basic classes: mathematics, several courses in English and writing, public speaking. The second year I moved to New York, Monroe College with my best friend. We stayed there for the first semester, the second semester we finished online because of Covid. During that year I had many classes in accounting, finance, management, and marketing. At the end of these two years I received my Associate degree. The third year I moved to North Carolina, to Carolina University and as you said here I stayed until the end of my studies.

I completed my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration last May, graduated with a 4.0 GPA and recognition of Summa Laude. While completing my bachelor’s degree I started attending master’s level classes, and this allowed me to graduate in December 2022 with the MBA in Management again with a GPA of 4.0.

An intense path that was certainly challenging but that gave you great satisfaction: how do you think this experience has improved you?

I definitely learned to be independent, to fend for myself, and solve my own problems. I guess at this point I’ll be able to adapt to any kind of experience. The mentality has changed a lot, I have met people from all over the world, different languages, cultures, habits and each one has left me something important. I have learned to appreciate the values that my family has always passed on to me because when you travel you realize that not everyone has had the same privilege. In general, I have a better understanding of who I am and what I want to do in the future.

Today you received a job offer in the Human Resources department of Carolina University: what will be your task?

I started working in the school’s Business Office more than a year ago as a student-worker. I assisted the HR manager and took care of the employees’ salaries. During this year I have acquired more responsibilities and tasks to be carried out, always focused on payroll and human resources. Currently my title is Payroll Manager, but I mainly deal with all the HR part of the college.

Let’s talk about volleyball: what has been your impact from Italy to the States? What were the main difficulties you had to face?

Volleyball itself remains very similar to the Italian one, except for a few different rules that at first glance upset a bit, such as unlimited changes and the free serve. What changes a lot is the whole outline. By playing for college you are a role model for everyone, your behaviors are reflected in the team, the program, and the college itself. It’s important to follow the rules, and always be a role model around others. The difficulties I have often faced have been of a physical nature. In Italy I used to train three times a week, with one or two games in between. Here you train every day for two hours, the matches vary a lot, you could have 4 or 5 in the same week, sometimes more than one a day. The weights and physical preparation were quite hard initially. Athletic trainers care a lot about this part of physicality and “never give up”.

Many of them want you to get bigger and stronger muscularly and for this you have to put in a lot of effort during gym sessions. In addition, there is also a lot of physical preparation with running and sprints. There are many more “punishments”: if the team, or an individual member of the team does something wrong, often the whole group suffers the consequences, which are usually snaps at the end of training.

A totally different and challenging life. What is the routine of a student-athlete? What has been your typical day in recent years?

The routine is quite challenging. My last semester went like this. We had weights on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 to 9. Many of the classes for undergraduate students are in the morning and early afternoon, so most of my teammates would go to class soon after. I used my time in the morning to go to work.

We had training every day from one to three, and we had to be in the gym 30 minutes before to put up the net, and if you needed treatment from the physio you had to go even earlier. After training we would take a shower, have dinner at 5 o’clock (really early for our schedule, but at some point you get used to it) and my lessons would start at 6 pm, until 9 am. During the week, other sports had games, so we often went to watch football and basketball games. You have to learn to find time to study, be able to finish all your homework, and also find some time to go out with friends.

To conclude, how do you prepare yourself academically, athically and personally for such an adventure?

Personally, I took a leap of faith the first time I moved here. I had a decent foundation in English, but I absolutely improved it here with experience and day-to-day. You have to surround yourself with people who make you feel good and who help you, especially during the first year which is the hardest from a nostalgic point of view. My biggest piece of advice is probably not to think about it and prepare too much. Close your eyes and jump, or you might think twice! Good luck!

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY – Some consider it one of the most American holidays, the most heartfelt and emblematic. When is it celebrated? In November, exactly on the fourth Thursday of the month. What is celebrated? Tradition has it that the Pilgrim Fathers, after years of suffering and religious persecution, wanted to thank God for the great abundance of fruits “found” in America by instituting a specific day to celebrate all this. Movies and TV series have often “brought” us into American homes on this special day and tradition has it that the whole family gathers around the table where stuffed turkey, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and many other traditional delicacies cannot be missed.

MEMORIAL DAY – Another of the most heartfelt celebrations for the American people. It is a time for reflection, remembrance, emotions and the value of the homeland, commitment and dedication. It is the date on which the soldiers who fell in the different wars are remembered. A particularly emotional day where, on the last Monday of May, the tombs are decorated with flowers and ornaments.

VETERANS DAY – Another date dedicated to the military world. It is celebrated on November 11 in memory of November 11, 1918 when the armistice was signed between Germany and the Allies in the First World War and commemorates the commitment and honor of war veterans. The main event is America’s Parade, which is considered the largest American parade to take place in New York City.

MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY – An important day for the United States of America, we would say a day to remember for the whole world. Every third Monday in January we celebrate the figure and importance of Martin Luther King: Protestant pastor, political activist and leader of the civil rights movement, Nobel Peace Prize winner. In 1983 the proposal to establish a day in memory of M.L. King became law signed and signed by the then President Ronald Reagan, but only ten years later, in 1993, it was celebrated and recognized by all the American states.

PRESIDENT’S DAY – A celebration that was officially created to commemorate the birth of President George Washington (the first President of the United States) and soon extended to all Presidents of the United States. It is celebrated on the third Monday of February with institutional ceremonies and public parades. Why a day dedicated to George Washington? Because he is considered the Father of the Nation, the only one so far to have been unanimously elected by the Electoral College, known for his values and dedication to work, a staunch supporter of a unitary form of state, an example for his successors and in general, one of the most famous American men in the world.

CINCO DE MAYO – A holiday that is celebrated annually in Mexico as well as in the United States, obviously on May 5th. Its origins are to be found in the desire on the part of the Mexican-American community in California to enhance, remember and exalt the principles of democracy and freedom of the people after the first years of the American Civil War. Today we celebrate Mexican pride, values like culture, music like food. Very colorful and “noisy” parades and parties are seen in particular in the cities of Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston, where the Mexican community is an essential, alive and active part of the population.

INDEPENDENCE DAY – The 4th of July is the day of the independence of the American colonies from England. The date coincides with the anniversary of July 4, 1776, the day on which the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America was signed. A day of celebration, a day of pride. The festivities are characterized by unique fireworks displays such as the one at the White House or Macy’s in New York. Celebrations in grand style that confirm the concept of “Think Big” that we explained to you some time ago. There are many traditions and customs that accompany this day: from parades to cultural events, from the classic barbecue to baseball and basketball games, up to the spectacular decorations on the houses. The festival is seen as an important moment of aggregation, where relatives and friends get together. It is definitely one of the essential holidays to mark in your diary.

HALLOWEEN – Magic, mystery, ghosts. A festival that has also entered our culture for years but which has ancient Celtic origins and which was “made their own” by the Americans thanks to the first Irish immigrants. The meaning of Halloween is “All Saints’ Eve”; Needless to say, the day is October 31st, where the motto “trick or treat” represents the funniest moment for children and where the figure of the legend of Jack-o-lanter has bequeathed us the pumpkin with a not exactly reassuring grin.

COLUMBUS DAY – A holiday dedicated to Christopher Columbus, linked in particular to the city of New York and the famous 5th Avenue parade which, however, at the same time, is surrounded by various controversies and disputes. The first to celebrate this anniversary, which falls on the second Monday of October, were the Italian immigrants of San Francisco in the second half of the 1800s. The protest, on the other hand, takes shape from the reflections of the Native Americans who see this day as a symbol of the resistance and extermination of the native populations caused, in America and in the world, by colonization.

LABOR DAY – Labor Day was born on the values and principles of our May 1st. Over time, however, it has turned into a real end-of-summer party, where fun is the master with events, concerts and dedicated programs on the first Monday of September. If you’re looking for a holiday to have fun, Labor Day might be for you.

GROUNDHOG DAY – Have you ever heard of Groundhog Day? The name is curious, unusual, as is the festival or rather, the tradition. The origin is German, transmitted to the States by the first Teutonic immigrants. What does the actual celebration consist of? Tradition has it that on this day you have to observe the shelter of a marmot: if it emerges and cannot see its shadow due to cloudy weather, winter will end soon, if it sees its shadow it will continue for another six weeks. The first Groundhog Day was celebrated in Pennsylvania on February 2, 1887.

RacheleRastelli

• EAST COAST ALL – REGION
• ALL ALL-BIG EAST TEAM

Giorgia Walther

• EAST COAST ALL – REGION HONORABLE MENTION
• ALL ALL-BIG EAST TEAM

Lucrezia Lodi

• ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM

Giulia Bonifacio

• EAST COAST REGION FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
• AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE ALL-SECOND TEAM
• ALL-ROOKIE TEAM OF THE AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE

Tatjiana Fucka

• FIRST TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE DELLA NORTHEAST CONFERENCE (ALL-NEC FIRST TEAM)

Alice Munari

• HONORABLE MENTION ALL-AMERICAN NJCAA

Linda Mungai

• CO-DEFENDER OF THE YEAR RED RIVER ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
• FIRST TEAM ALL – RRAC
• 2022 AVCA ALL – SOUTHCENTRAL REGION TEAM

Emanuela Riglioni

• FIRST TEAM ALL – RRAC

Angela Egonu

• FIRST TEAM ALL – RRAC

Beatrice Formilan

• ALL-SSC SECOND TEAM (SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE)

Irene Verdino

• HONORABLE MENTION HEART OF AMERICA ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

ACADEMIC AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

2022 Academic All-District® Women’s Volleyball Teams NCAA Division I

• Rachel Rastelli St. John’s University
• Giorgia Walther St. John’s University

2022 Academic All-District® Women’s Volleyball Teams NCAA Division II

• Beatrice Formilan Florida Southern College

2022 Academic All-District®Women’s Volleyball Teams NAIA

• Angela Egonu Xavier, University of Louisiana
• Linda Mungai Xavier, University of Louisiana
• Emi Riglioni Xavier University of Louisiana

An institution with ancient origins that was born from the union of several health colleges when in 1913 several institutes of the city were incorporated under a single name: Colleges of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy. Hence the history of UIC, which has always been oriented towards the medical-scientific-health sector: today, in the sector, it is considered one of the most important programs in the States for investments in medical-scientific research.

An ancient, historic and excellent university that currently sees among the most popular Majors: Psychology, Biology, Computer Science Finance and Nursing.

In addition, according to the niche.com website UIC is ranked 58 out of 589 as the Best Colleges for Kinesiology and Physical Therapy in America and 65th out of 695 in the Best Colleges for Criminal Justice in America ranking. Not bad!

The campus is a large and diversified structure, ideal for enabling students not only to study, but also to live the university experience between sport, culture and fun.

The East area is home to most of the classrooms, the Credit Union 1 Arena and the Student Center East. To the west, we find The Health Sciences Colleges and Medical Center, as well as other accommodation facilities: also here the West Student Center, a building where students are staying. In the southern part, on the other hand, there is space for shops, markets but also sports facilities, the main conference center and the area of The Isadore & Sadie Dorin Forum: a multipurpose structure.

But it doesn’t end there. Speaking of life on campus, we cannot fail to mention the UIC Theatre, the Richard J. Daley Library, the Sport & Fitness Center or the Student Recreation Facility. The Rebecca Port Faculty-Student Center Cafe, in University Hall, is the main café on campus.

The city is beautiful

Chicago is simply one of the largest metropolises in America, one of the most fascinating cities in the States. Once nicknamed the “city of skyscrapers”, a record stolen from NYC, it is full of places of interest.

Let’s start from Lake Michigan, due to its size it could almost be defined as a sea. One of the first places to visit. This is followed by Millenium Park, the largest park in the city, and Michigan Avenue, the shopping street, one of the busiest places. Other points of interest? The Lincoln Park Zoo, The Rookery – one of the oldest and most beautiful buildings in the city built in 1888 by architects Daniel Burnham and John Root. The John Hancock Center, a scenic spot with a breathtaking view of the entire city, is not to be missed. Also note Willis Tower, Michican Avenue Bridge and the characteristic area of Andersonville.

Finally, the long pier of Navy Pier, together with the Art Institute and Buckingham Fountain (a splendid fountain built in 1927) could complete your tour.

On a sporting level, the university’s most popular disciplines are basketball, soccer, baseball, and volleyball, and they compete in NCAA Division 1. Flames student-athletes have achieved a school record of 93 percent graduation rate, according to the latest research conducted by the NCAA. With a two-point increase from last year’s record of 91 percent, it marks the seventh consecutive year that UIC has increased the rate of graduate student-athletes (from 82 percent in 2016 to 93 percent this year).

Speaking of volleyball and the current season, the UIC Flames were ranked #3 in the conference. Their season run ended with a 3-0 win over the #2 Drake Bulldogs (26-6, 16-2 record) in the semifinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Volleyball Championship.

In 2021, UIC (20-11,13-3 record) won the Horizon League Conference for the first time in history. After that, they made their first historic appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

In 2019, they made it all the way to the quarterfinals of the Horizon league conference.

Reference and technical guide, symbol of UIC, is certainly coach Justin Ingram, on the bench since 2017, he made history with the victory of the conference in 2021. Among the Sportlinx360 student-athletes at UIC we find Liza Garrido Schwartz, Argentine center, born in 2001 of 188 cm who, after some important experiences with the national youth team of her country, chose to continue her sports career as an academic at the University of Illinois Chicago.