Making the Midwest a Home
Growing up in England, it’s understandable that Jaya Soor didn’t know much about life in the midwestern part of the United States. Little did she know she would not only become accustomed to life in Nebraska but learn to love it.
In her final few weeks as a Midland University senior, Jaya has made the most of her time in a region she was unfamiliar with as a high school student. “I didn’t even know Iowa or Nebraska existed. I just wanted somewhere I could continue playing soccer, and I had an agency working to find me a school.”
Jaya ended up at North Iowa Community College in Mason City. She attended and played soccer for two seasons and began the process of finding her next home. “I started getting offers from colleges, and I was actually committed to Delaware State. But there was something about Midland that made me switch. I didn’t visit Midland, but I put my trust in God in taking the risk.”
That risk has paid off in a big way, as Midland has not only provided her a place to play the sport she loves, but has opened up a new world of friendships, involvement, and opportunities.
“People at Midland have become my family. You can’t walk around campus without someone saying hello, and it’s a very friendly environment. I have families on two sides of the world.”
Soccer is what brought Jaya to the United States, and it remains a big part of her life. She is coming off her best season yet as she earned second-team All-GPAC honors while leading the team in goals scored. “It was the best individual season I’ve had, so it was great to end my career at Midland like that, and also continue to bond together with the other players. I have always loved soccer, and it would be my dream to play professionally someday.”
While it may not be professionally, Jaya will continue her soccer career next season at Chicago State University as she pursues her MBA.
Playing soccer helped Jaya make friends and acclimate to life far from home. But it was involvement across campus that allowed Midland to grow on Jaya. “I got involved in Global Warriors, and seeing others who were in the same boat made me feel more at home. I then became an Admissions Ambassador for two years, which was the best decision I’ve ever made. I love meeting so many different people and being a face of Midland. Apart from soccer, that has been the biggest thing that has kept me going.”
As a Business Administration major, Jaya has been able to sharpen her skills serving an internship at the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s been an incredible amount of fun, and I’ve been able to network with people and see how this all ties into my business degree.”
Jaya’s stay in the United States has been so impactful that she envisions herself staying in the States after earning her MBA. “I lived in Florida one summer playing soccer, and I really want to live there again, working with something around sports.
“I always say that life in America has been like a movie for me. I wasn’t sure I wanted to stay here when I first arrived, but now I’m ready to continue living here. I love it here, and my time at Midland has been the best two years of my life.”
Jaya Soor is a senior Business Administration major from Derby, England.
