HACKENSACK, N.J. - The process of being an 'exchange student' is never easy. There is the need to get comfortable in a new environment with an entirely new culture, a new language and the need to craft new interpersonal relationships. Now throw being a member of an NCAA Division I sport's roster on top of all that. That is the scenario for women's volleyball's Pauline Giordano.
Giordano is the rare case of an exchange student participating in NCAA play for the university at which she is spending the year. Amidst the new experiences and the new scenery, now is the opportunity for Giordano to play at the highest level of collegiate volleyball.
FDU is a global university, and with its mission of being global, transformational and personal, athletics are a key contributor to enhancing that message. In addition to an extraordinarily diverse athletic department, with a commitment to bringing in some of the most talented individuals to don the Burgundy and Blue, as well as a global campus footprint with locations in Canada and England, it was only a matter of time before someone with Giordano's talent and desire joined the Knights as an exchange student-athlete.
Fairleigh Dickinson, as a university, is no stranger to students and athletes from all over the globe. 26 countries and 25 states (including Washington D.C.) are represented by student-athletes, and over 60 countries and 38 states (including D.C.) are represented within the student body at large. Joining Giordano on the women's volleyball team are women from nine states and of four other nationalities.
For Giordano, the process has been made easier by those who, like her, have had to get accustomed to new situations. "I'm not the only one," she said, in regards to the learning experience that she has had to go through in getting used to her new surroundings. She would add, "They [the team] are really nice to me, and I feel like a real part of the team, even if they know and I know I'm staying for only one year."
This year abroad at FDU was sparked by equal parts necessity and adventure.
She would say, "In France, I'm in a business school. And if I want to get my diploma at the end of my five years, I had to go abroad for at least one year." As to why the U.S. was appealing to her, Giordano said, "I really wanted to go into the U.S. to improve my English, and by coming here I can get a double-diploma in French."
Upon her return to France, schooling will continue for Giordano at IESEG School of Management, with a caveat. She will have two years of work remaining to earn her master's degree; however, she will be able to begin work in the field of communications and marketing.
Discussing NYC, of which she has been able to venture into about five times as her schedule has permitted, she has already seen the vast differences when comparing areas of the city like Times Square and the entire subway system to less chaotic areas in the south of the city like Greenwich Village.
This year-long expedition in the U.S. has led to plenty of comparisons to be made by Giordano between the U.S. and her native France. A resident of Paris while back home, she sees many similarities between that city and New York City – the sprawling city landscapes, the plethora of lovely places to spend time in, and, perhaps a bit less happily, the fact that adventure can sometimes come with a price – literally, especially in cities as luxurious as the two she has spent some time in.
When asked what she misses most from France, without hesitation Giordano said the food. Lamenting the larger American portions ("Here in the U.S., you never finish your plates") and the dearth of high-quality French diet staples ("Bread and cheese, like real cheese. I miss it").
Giordano would also take note of a key thing that she preferred here in the U.S. to France: that being the people. Giordano would say, "The people are really nice. Like really. In the team, the coaches, the teachers, the staff, they are very here for you and helpful."
As an example of that kindness shown to her by the Americans around her, she noted her first day of practice here at FDU. Giordano was a late arrival to the team and had been living out of a hotel for a handful of days. The administrative issues that come with being an international student playing NCAA sports also meant she was not yet cleared to play, or practice, with the team. Understandably, she was shy. But her introduction to the team couldn't have been smoother, as the team's greetings and warm smiles helped to have her feeling part of the team.
In addition to the cultural day-to-day differences, Giordano has also been able to see the differences in athletic environments. "Being here, meeting other athletes, being able to see soccer games and basketball practice, I think it's really good," she said on her experiences with the American collegiate sport experience. The fact that she has been able to partake in it has made it all the more special, as well.
Giordano started playing the sport 14 years ago, when her older brother picked it up. "I wanted to do all the same things as my brother," she would say; but what started as a show of sibling love turned into a passion that continues to this day.
Even if the rules of the volleyball are a bit different – liberos cannot serve in France and there are fewer substitutes per set than compared to NCAA rules – the love of the sport is still the same no matter which country.
Giordano, at the time of writing, has appeared in eight matches, starting four, and 19 sets for the Knights. She sits second in the team on assists. Her goals for playing the game are all about making an influence for those she meets off the court as well as on it. She stated, "For me, I want to improve as much as I can. Just taking the experience of the coaches I meet here and take it for my volleyball suitcase. If I can help, I want to, and I want to deserve my place on the court."
The club level is the crème de la crème in France, so the opportunity to play volleyball in a sport that is of a larger stature at the university level is an exciting opportunity for Giordano. And for Giordano it is all about the experience both for her, as well as those she meets.
