International Perspectives: Natalia Gaitan
April 27th, 2012Its pretty rare for me when my personal and professional passions are able to meet. Today however, I was given the opportunity to have that become a reality. For those who know me personally, you know that soccer and international recruiting drive me. Therefore, when Natalia Gaitan, one of our star female soccer players and Colombian international student, agreed to an interview with me I was charged. I met with Natalia in my office for a short interview session and she was as nice and friendly in person as she is tenacious and driven on the pitch.
Natalia is a junior in the College of Business and Innovation, and a defender on both the UT and Colombian Women’s National Team. Natalia came to Toledo from Bogota, where she used an athletic recruitment management company to help her find soccer programs in the US where she could play and get an education. I was able to discuss a number of topics with her.
Mark Schroeder: So, why Toledo?
Natalia Gaitan: I knew I wanted to play at the next level so I worked with a sports recruitment agency to help me find a school. They had already sent a tennis player to Toledo, so they knew about the school and the soccer program.
MS: Have you always played defense?
NG: Yes, pretty much. I started there and after a while I tried to move up to a holding midfielder position…but they told me to get back! (laughing!!!)
MS: I’m pretty sure you are the first Toledo athlete to play in a World Cup. What was your best and worst memory of the experience last summer in Germany?
NG: The best was the atmosphere, especially in our second game, against the United State. The stadium was crazy and it was very loud. It was amazing. The worst was the same game. Since we lost to the US 3-nil, we knew we could not advance due to our loss in the first game.
MS: What did you learn from that game against the US that can help you against them in London this summer?
NG: We have to be able to get forward and hold the ball in midfield. Against the US, the pressure they create up the pitch is intense. In the first 15 minutes of our game with them, I was like, “Are you kidding me? This is crazy!” So we have to be able to move the ball up the pitch to stretch them out and make them defend as well.
Starting Wednesday, June 25th, Natalia will lead her team in the London Summer Olympic games. You can see the schedule for the Women’s tournament here. Colombia open the Tournament against the North Koreans and then will face the United Sates again on the 28th. The first two games will be played in Glasgow, Scotland at Hampden Park, the Scottish National Football Stadium. The third game of the preliminary stage will be in Newcastle, at St. James Park (Home of English Premier League side Newcastle United, currently in fourth place in the EPL and in line to play in next year’s Champion’s League competition) against France on July 31st. The top two teams from the groups will advance to the quarter-finals with two of the third place teams advancing based on record and goal differential. For a great review about the Colombia national team and preview of the Olympics, check out this article from FIFA.
MS: Has your family been able to visit Toledo and are they able to come to London for the Olympics?
NG: Yes! They visited me during the fall semester and got to see some of our games. They are not going to come to London.
MS: What are you looking forward to for the Olympics?
NG: We will be in Glasgow for the first game so I think we may miss the opening ceremonies, so I am a little bummed about that. I really wanted to be in the stadium and walk in with the other athletes. But for the women, the Olympics is bigger than the World Cup. It is what I dreamed about since I was a kid so I am very excited to play and just be a part of it.
MS: Favorite team?
NG: Real Madrid.
MS: This interview is over! You know I am an Arsenal fan! (Arsenal are currently in third place in the English Premier league and looking to secure their 15th straight appearance in the Champions League) Okay, just kidding, I’m glad you guys took Ronaldo out of England.
MS: How about your favorite player?
NG: My favorite player and the player I tried to play like was Paulo Maldini who played defense for AC Milan.
MS: What would your dream job be?
NG: To work for FIFA (the international governing body for soccer) and help bring football to developing countries.
MS: What job would you never want to do?
NG: Any boring office job like in here.
MS: (Sobbing) What are your plans after graduation?
NG: I have two options. The first would be to play professionally in Europe. If not then I want to get my master’s degree in sports management.
MS: What are the best and challenging things about being an international student?
NG: The best is absolutely the new experiences. The culture, language and people here are all so different. I think the hard part is getting people to not think of my country as a place with nothing but drugs and problems. It really is not that way and is a lovely country.
I am very happy to say that I will be visiting Natalia’s country and home city in the fall of 2012. I will be participating in our first major recruitment effort from the Admission Office to bring more students from South America to Toledo. I will be visiting Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia on the US State Department’s fall 2012 Education USA tour. I am hoping Natalia can tell me some good places to eat and visit in Bogota before my visit!
MS: So what are your favorite things about UT and Toledo itself?
NG: Well I love campus, its just very beautiful and peaceful, just like Toledo. Bogota is a big and crowded city with too much traffic and lots of people. Here everything is organized and accessible. I also love my teachers and classes in the College of Business and Innovation. The new building is just beautiful.
MS: How does is feel to be listed as one of the “50 Players We Can’t Wait to See in London” by Bleacher Report?
NG: Its very nice and amazing. I’m just very happy to play for my country and can’t wait to go home in a week to begin training for the games.
MS: Okay, last question. Your favorite word or phrase in your own language?
NG: Bacano. It means nice, like cool, you know?
Yes, I do and yes, you are.
Are you an international student who wants to tell their story? I will be profiling a new international student each month in my journal, so please contact me if you are interested.
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