As the tennis team continues to maintain its undefeated season, one player stands out as unique Linfield student: freshman Ward van Mens
Though van Mens appears to be a typical Linfield freshman, his schedule from last semester and this semester reveal another side: Intro to film, tai chi, stress management and yoga are but a few classes van Mens has enrolled in.
Unlike most Linfield students, van Mens is not working toward a degree or worrying about his future career, he is simply enjoying a year in America.
“I just wanted to do something different,” van Mens said. “All of my friends just graduated and went to universities in the Netherlands.”
In the Netherlands, he said, students do not have the freedom to choose elective credits. So, van Mens is stocking up on fun and interesting classes for the next four years.
For this unconventional student, a year at an American college seemed the perfect way to fulfill several of his dreams–experience a new culture, travel within the United States, and enjoy his gap year.
“[Study abroad] is a little bit of everything–work, study, party and travel,” he said.
And tennis. He has played two matches for the Linfield team, earning a 1-1 record in America so far.
He chose to attend Linfield after tennis head coach Carl Swanson offered him a fair chance at making the team, even if he could only play for one year. Other colleges which he inquired at were less open to a one-year player from the Netherlands.
“[Swanson] said ‘If you play well, then we’ll give you a chance,’” van Mens said. “It was the perfect balance between a good tennis level and the opportunity to play.”
In Europe, van Mens said the universities do not sponsor tennis teams. Instead players compete in tournaments individually.
For that reason, van Mens has found the tennis team to be entirely different and said he enjoys the newfound camaraderie.
He played in his first tournament on Valentine’s Day, against Pacific Lutheran University.
“It was the first time we beat PLU in five years,” van Mens said, the excitement evident in his voice. “We are like one big group of friends. Everyone is motivated and comes to watch you play.”
The next tennis match is Feb. 27 at 3 p.m. in McMinnville against George Fox University.