International students at Belmont Abbey reach graduation despite COVID-19 challenges
Belmont Abbey recently recognized two graduates for their outstanding athletic careers while facing challenges as international students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Both students graduated alongside 225 of their peers at Saturday, May 14, at Belmont Abbey College’s Mary Help of Christians Basilica Piazza.
Boško Bojović
Bojović came to Belmont Abbey in the fall of 2019 to play forward for the men's basketball team, transferring from Santa Fe College in Florida.
During his basketball career at Belmont Abbey, Bojović helped make history averaging 10 points and seven rebounds a game, while being part of the first team in college history to be conference champions two years in a row.
“With graduation so close, it reminds me that I’m resilient and I’m not a person who gives up easily. It also gives me hope for the future because I’m committed to trying to stay in the United States for a while longer,” said Bojović.
One of Bojović's biggest challenges while at school was the language barrier, as he is originally from Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"When I first came to the states, I understood English well but couldn’t speak it. I didn’t talk for a month," said Bojović.
"Once I started to bond with my teammates, I felt better and I learned how to converse. I was really accepted by my teammates and that made me feel more comfortable with trying to speak English," he added.
In March 2020, Bojović was forced to return to his native country before the borders closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bojović began taking classes online, unsure whether or not he would be able to return to Belmont Abbey. Bojović returned to the United States in September 2020, but had to leave once again in December 2020, and did not return until August 2021.
“My favorite thing about the Abbey is the community I’ve found here. I’ve built incredible relationships on campus but also in the greater Charlotte community,” Bojović said.
Upon graduating with a marketing degree with a minor in business, Bojović plans to travel back home for the summer and work as a marketing intern at Kosmos, a manufacturer company in Bosnia, of fabricated metal products used to make airplanes.
Bojović also plans to obtain a master's in business and hopes he can play basketball for a fifth year while doing so.
Conrad Hill
Hill began his journey at Belmont Abbey in the fall of 2017 from Perth, Australia.
"The opportunity came up and it was a thing where if I didn’t take the opportunity I would kick myself later on in life," Hill said.
"I came with the intention to do a one year 'trial' and fell in love with North Carolina. It was also for volleyball, Belmont Abbey men's volleyball program is Division 1, so it was a huge opportunity for me to showcase my skills at the highest collegiate level," he added.
Throughout his four years at school, Hill dedicated his time to the sport, so much that he became the team captain in 2020, a position he held for three years.
During the pandemic, Hill secured one of the last flights back to Australia. Once home, he took classes online while managing the time difference of the two countries. Hill later ended up taking the semester off, as taking classes online became difficult and went on to work at a logistics company in Australia.
In January 2021, Hill returned to the United States and took summer classes to make up for the semester he took off.
Hill will be graduating with two degrees, one in sports management and the second one in business management.
Originally, he hoped to return home but with the high prices of flights, Hill plans to remain in the United States for a while longer.
"I have a couple opportunities to coach volleyball at the collegiate level which I will use my OPT visa to work in the United States post graduation," said Hill.
Beatriz Guerrero can be reached at 704-869-1828 or on Twitter@BeatrizGue_.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Students at Belmont Abbey reach graduation despite COVID-19 challenges
