DAY IN THE LIFE
Discover the daily routine of our UDB scholarship athletes in the United States.
LAURA RODRÍGUEZ
Marshall University NCAA D1
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6:00 AM
Laura's day begins before the rest of the campus wakes up
In the gym, the atmosphere smells of effort and focus. While most students are still asleep, she is already doing plyometrics, strengthening her legs, coordinating explosive moves, and fine-tuning every detail that will make her faster and stronger for the weekend. Her strength coach circulates between stations correcting posture. Laura smiles. Each day is a chance to improve.
7:30 AM
After training, her body craves energy
Laura heads to the athletes-only cafeteria, a space where football players, swimmers, and soccer players from around the world cross paths. She eats her oatmeal bowl with fruits and proteins while sharing stories with teammates. They talk about studies, weekend matches, and West Virginia's unpredictable weather.
8:30 AM
On the way to class, she hops on her electric scooter
The campus stretches ahead: trees, brick buildings, and the green Marshall logo on every corner. Her first class is Management, part of her double degree in Management of Information Systems & Finance. Laura enjoys being surrounded by ambitious peers: some want to run companies, others want to build startups. She dreams of combining that training with her sports experience to launch her own project someday.
10:00 AM
Between classes, she meets up with teammates
They share a quick coffee before heading into Accounting, her last class of the day. Outside the classroom, the college atmosphere breathes with every step: students going back and forth, green jerseys, NCAA-branded backpacks, and the constant buzz of American campus life.
1:00 PM
Classes end and the second half begins: soccer
She arrives at the team facilities where everything is curated: personalized locker room, physiotherapy area, video analysis room. Before practice, the squad gathers with the coaching staff to review the last game. Mistakes are analyzed, successes are celebrated, and the objectives for the next match are set.
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
The training session begins
Two hours of maximum intensity: rondos, possession drills, finishing, and tactical plays. Afterwards, Laura stays a few extra minutes for an individual session. She sharpens touches, shots, and long runs. There is no noise, only the sound of the ball hitting the turf.
4:30 PM
Back in the locker room, a quick shower and post-training snack
Yogurt, fruit, and electrolyte water. Tiny gestures that mark the balance between performance and recovery.
5:00 PM
She returns to campus and drops by the university Starbucks
She orders an iced latte and opens her laptop. Her study block begins. Between notes and group work, she maintains the same discipline she has on the field. "If you don't give everything in both areas, you don't go far," her coach always says.
7:30 PM
As daylight fades, she seeks a moment of calm
In the campus hammocks, surrounded by soft lights and the murmur of other students unwinding after an intense day.
9:00 PM
At home, she reviews training footage
She analyzes her movement, how she positioned herself, and what she can tweak. Afterwards, she has dinner with teammates. They laugh, share stories, and close the day with pizza and camaraderie.
6:00 AM
Laura's day begins before the rest of the campus wakes up
In the gym, the atmosphere smells of effort and focus. While most students are still asleep, she is already doing plyometrics, strengthening her legs, coordinating explosive moves, and fine-tuning every detail that will make her faster and stronger for the weekend. Her strength coach circulates between stations correcting posture. Laura smiles. Each day is a chance to improve.
7:30 AM
After training, her body craves energy
Laura heads to the athletes-only cafeteria, a space where football players, swimmers, and soccer players from around the world cross paths. She eats her oatmeal bowl with fruits and proteins while sharing stories with teammates. They talk about studies, weekend matches, and West Virginia's unpredictable weather.
8:30 AM
On the way to class, she hops on her electric scooter
The campus stretches ahead: trees, brick buildings, and the green Marshall logo on every corner. Her first class is Management, part of her double degree in Management of Information Systems & Finance. Laura enjoys being surrounded by ambitious peers: some want to run companies, others want to build startups. She dreams of combining that training with her sports experience to launch her own project someday.
10:00 AM
Between classes, she meets up with teammates
They share a quick coffee before heading into Accounting, her last class of the day. Outside the classroom, the college atmosphere breathes with every step: students going back and forth, green jerseys, NCAA-branded backpacks, and the constant buzz of American campus life.
1:00 PM
Classes end and the second half begins: soccer
She arrives at the team facilities where everything is curated: personalized locker room, physiotherapy area, video analysis room. Before practice, the squad gathers with the coaching staff to review the last game. Mistakes are analyzed, successes are celebrated, and the objectives for the next match are set.
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
The training session begins
Two hours of maximum intensity: rondos, possession drills, finishing, and tactical plays. Afterwards, Laura stays a few extra minutes for an individual session. She sharpens touches, shots, and long runs. There is no noise, only the sound of the ball hitting the turf.
4:30 PM
Back in the locker room, a quick shower and post-training snack
Yogurt, fruit, and electrolyte water. Tiny gestures that mark the balance between performance and recovery.
5:00 PM
She returns to campus and drops by the university Starbucks
She orders an iced latte and opens her laptop. Her study block begins. Between notes and group work, she maintains the same discipline she has on the field. "If you don't give everything in both areas, you don't go far," her coach always says.
7:30 PM
As daylight fades, she seeks a moment of calm
In the campus hammocks, surrounded by soft lights and the murmur of other students unwinding after an intense day.
9:00 PM
At home, she reviews training footage
She analyzes her movement, how she positioned herself, and what she can tweak. Afterwards, she has dinner with teammates. They laugh, share stories, and close the day with pizza and camaraderie.
Every day here is another step closer to who I want to become. Competing, learning, and enjoying the process — that is what drives me.
— Laura Rodríguez, Marshall University NCAA D1
YERAY CUENCA
William Penn University
7:00 AM
Yeray's mornings start unhurried but purposeful
He turns on the coffee maker, opens his book, and gives himself a few quiet minutes. It is his peaceful moment before the day's noise. "I start slow, but my mind is already in motion," he says as he takes the first sip.
8:00 AM
He heads to the gym
For almost an hour he works on strength, mobility, and injury prevention. Every exercise has a purpose: keeping his body ready to compete at the highest level each weekend. His routine includes core work, stability drills, and specific exercises to enhance explosiveness. Sometimes he trains alone; other times with teammates who share the same mindset: never settling.
10:00 AM
After training, he dedicates part of the morning to classes
Yeray doesn’t just think about soccer; he prepares for the future as well. He is involved in leadership and sports management initiatives, where he studies communication, marketing, and decision-making. His day blends theory and practice: in the classroom he takes notes; outside he applies what he learns to grow as an athlete and a person.
1:00 PM
Time for lunch
He chooses foods that boost his performance: rice, vegetables, proteins, and a strong coffee. Eating is not just a habit but part of his performance strategy. "Your body is your tool. What you give it matters," he reminds himself.
3:30 PM
Before training, he reviews the day's goals
Improve the buildup, sharpen peripheral vision, and raise the intensity of the press. That analytical mindset is what has made him stand out among teammates.
4:00 PM
Team training begins
The atmosphere is competitive and full of energy. Coaches shout, instructions fly, and the ball pounds the wet turf. For Yeray, this is the most awaited moment of the day. Here is where all the invisible work finally makes sense.
6:30 PM
Session ends, he stretches and talks with the coach
He reviews how he feels. Then a quick shower and a recovery shake. As the sun sets, he feels accomplished. Every day counts.
8:00 PM
He closes the day with a calm dinner, soft music, and disconnects
Sometimes he writes a few lines in his notebook: what he learned, how he felt, what to improve tomorrow. It’s not routine. It’s commitment.
7:00 AM
Yeray's mornings start unhurried but purposeful
He turns on the coffee maker, opens his book, and gives himself a few quiet minutes. It is his peaceful moment before the day's noise. "I start slow, but my mind is already in motion," he says as he takes the first sip.
8:00 AM
He heads to the gym
For almost an hour he works on strength, mobility, and injury prevention. Every exercise has a purpose: keeping his body ready to compete at the highest level each weekend. His routine includes core work, stability drills, and specific exercises to enhance explosiveness. Sometimes he trains alone; other times with teammates who share the same mindset: never settling.
10:00 AM
After training, he dedicates part of the morning to classes
Yeray doesn’t just think about soccer; he prepares for the future as well. He is involved in leadership and sports management initiatives, where he studies communication, marketing, and decision-making. His day blends theory and practice: in the classroom he takes notes; outside he applies what he learns to grow as an athlete and a person.
1:00 PM
Time for lunch
He chooses foods that boost his performance: rice, vegetables, proteins, and a strong coffee. Eating is not just a habit but part of his performance strategy. "Your body is your tool. What you give it matters," he reminds himself.
3:30 PM
Before training, he reviews the day's goals
Improve the buildup, sharpen peripheral vision, and raise the intensity of the press. That analytical mindset is what has made him stand out among teammates.
4:00 PM
Team training begins
The atmosphere is competitive and full of energy. Coaches shout, instructions fly, and the ball pounds the wet turf. For Yeray, this is the most awaited moment of the day. Here is where all the invisible work finally makes sense.
6:30 PM
Session ends, he stretches and talks with the coach
He reviews how he feels. Then a quick shower and a recovery shake. As the sun sets, he feels accomplished. Every day counts.
8:00 PM
He closes the day with a calm dinner, soft music, and disconnects
Sometimes he writes a few lines in his notebook: what he learned, how he felt, what to improve tomorrow. It’s not routine. It’s commitment.
Training, studying, and taking care of myself... it is all part of the same journey. Consistency is what separates dreamers from those who make it happen.
— Yeray Cuenca, Student-Athlete