Emilie Hesseldal

Emilie Hesseldal

Denmark

Communications Studies

Why did you decide to study at CSU?

The true story is, I didn’t pick CSU, CSU chose me. I had just returned home after my Freshmen Year in Florida, and wasn’t sure if I wanted to return to the States until CSU contacted me. I had heard a little bit about the school, through my good friend and teammate for a couple of seasons at CSU, Gritt Ryder. She had already committed and after coaches started to recruit me, I called her, asking how it was like. I knew I did not have time to go visit, so I needed to know how it looked like. She described it as one of the most beautiful places she has ever been and as nature and environment is important to me, I already liked the school. After talking to coaches, it was obvious that CSU was about to become my new home.

What is it like being a student athlete at CSU?

Coming from a club team in little Denmark to join an organization like CSU has been the biggest experience of my life. I have learned that even basketball involves so much more than just showing up to practice and shower afterwards. Playing at a college level includes seeing your teammates every day for practice, weights, conditioning, rehab, even class sometimes. Back home, I was used to seeing these faces about three to five times a week for an hour and a half. So I have definitely learned how to be around the same group of people for a very long time, and still have fun! Hanging out with fourteen girls can get pretty intense, but I would not want to trade my teammates for anybody else. This team is very special. Balancing between academics and sports has been easier at CSU, as we have a lot more resources, such as the Academic Center. However, I can not stress time management enough, as that is probably the biggest key to surviving as a student-athlete.

What do you do for fun in Fort Collins?

Whenever we are off practice and other mandatory events, I like to get out and enjoy a big steak with fries. I miss my mom’s homemade food every single day, so nothing beats a great meal on an off-day. Other than that, I enjoy getting out of town. I have visited Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, and I am pretty sure I will return by the time I am done at CSU.

What are your career goals?

My first career dream is to go play professional basketball overseas, after I am done with my senior year. However, after that it is important to find something that makes sense to me, I really do not worry about what it is, as long as I find it interesting and meaningful. My ideal goal is to travel and interact with other human beings, so whatever job requires that, I am down!

What do you want people to know about your home country?

I live in a country that is very nature based, almost 50% of the population bike to and from the capital, Copenhagen. We are also named as the happiest country in the world due to our welfare system that takes care of everybody from being homeless to being very wealthy. Everybody has the same opportunities as both taking an education and going to the doctor, is free. Other than that, you’ll have to experience it, I personally believe it is one of the prettiest places I have ever been, during the summer at least.