From the lab to the Olympic Games
In her daily life, she is a student of Life Science and Technology, but not this summer. Guusje van Bolhuis is participating in the Olympic Games with the French hockey team. ‘Studying and playing hockey at top-level are very different, but with the right mindset, you can go far in both.’
‘Our team always won, ever since I started playing hockey at the age of ten,’ Van Bolhuis says. She grew up in France with her Dutch parents. When her mother took on French nationality, she was also allowed to compete at the national level. ‘I have been playing for the French women's team for seven years now.’
From France to Leiden
Van Bolhuis knew early on that she wanted to study in the Netherlands. ‘This country encourages participating in top-level sports, which allows you to create your own schedule. In contrast, many good universities in France expect you to spend most of your spare time studying.’ The choice for the Netherlands was quickly made. Eventually, she chose to study Life Science and Technology and traded France for Leiden.
‘At the university, I have a top-sports status, which helps me enormously to combine my studies with hockey.’ For example, she could take exams online and determine when to do lab work. Many supervisors and professors were also open to recording lessons. ‘This played a huge role in completing my bachelor's degree in three years.’
Discipline, rhythm, and performing under pressure
It sounds like a tall order, to combine playing hockey at a top-level and studying at a university, in two different countries no less. Yet Van Bolhuis wouldn't want it any other way: ‘There is a great atmosphere in our hockey team. We are a group of friends who have been playing together for years. For me, it’s normal to always be busy, combining tasks and building discipline. I like having a rhythm, I'm used to it.’
There are also many elements that come in handy both during hockey and in her studies. ‘Working in a team, discipline, concentration, and performing under pressure. These are also character traits you develop. My studies and sports are very different, but with the right mindset, you can get very far in both.’
‘Winning a medal will be difficult’
This academic year, she has consciously chosen to take it a bit easier with her studies. She is now training five times a week in France in preparation for the Olympic Games. Her team faces a challenge this summer. ‘We are the lowest-ranked team participating,’ Van Bolhuis says matter-of-factly. ‘And we are also in the toughest of the two pools. But with the practice matches we’ve played this year, we think we can win one or two games. Winning a medal will be difficult, but we aim to reach the quarter-finals.’