Photo by: Derek Johnson
Griz tennis senior feature: Claudia Reguant
4/8/2022 1:02:00 PM | Women's Tennis
MISSOULA, Mont. – It's not every day you get to sit down and talk to someone about their experience moving to a completely different country while speaking an entirely different language, and managing the workload of a student-athlete. Our last senior to be featured leading up to senior day is Barcelona, Spain native, Claudia Reguant.
Reguant has had a unique experience compared to many other college students. Unique meaning, she had to navigate through college a bit differently due to the fact that she was originally from an entirely different continent. Though her experience was unique, she describes it as unforgettable.
"College is something you remember for the rest of your life. Everyone always says it'll be the best years of your life, but for me, I was coming from a different part of the world, you know, a different country. I really didn't know what to expect when I came here and I didn't even know if I was going to like it or not.
"Now that I've gone through it, it's been a very rewarding process. I think it's been great so far. It's something I'll remember for the rest of my life."
She's right, most people always remember their college experience, good or bad. Luckily, Reguant's experiences at the University of Montana have shaped her into who she is today, and have brought her skills that she'll carry with her forever.
"It's shaped me in a really good way. I remember when I first got here, I didn't even know where to start. Looking back at it now, the student-athlete life has given me great time management skills and great communication skills. When I got here, I didn't even speak English. So again, it's just been a very rewarding process. I look back and think, 'Oh my gosh, I have changed so much as a person. I've learned so much.'"
Though she's had many different experiences, she points out how being a student-athlete has been her favorite experience of all.
"Being on the tennis team has made this a once-in-a-lifetime experience for sure. If I wouldn't have been on the tennis team, my experience here would've been very different. I wouldn't have met all of these amazing people, I wouldn't get to travel, and I wouldn't have gotten to do all the cool things you get to do as a student-athlete."
Athletics have made a huge impact on Claudia's experience, but the staff at UM and the Missoula community have made almost a bigger impact.
"Everyone has been super helpful in so many ways, like the athletic department. Everyone's super nice and has helped me get to where I am today. The coaches and even the professors at the university have been so great. The community in Missoula is so local and so great.
"I remember my first day here and people would see me around on campus and always ask if I needed help or if they can show me anything. People seeing that I didn't speak their language would help me so much too. The community in Montana is something that just stands out compared to other states in the U.S. Montana has great quality people, especially the university."
As Claudia finds her next adventure, full of traveling, coaching, and working in the U.S., she has a few words she'd like to say.
"Being a Griz these past four years has been the best experience of my life. It has been a hard, but very rewarding ride. It's surreal that my time at the University of Montana is coming to an end. It feels like yesterday I had just gotten to Missoula for the first time, flying from the other side of the world, and I didn't know what to expect.
"I have shared amazing adventures, laughs, tears and the most special moments alongside my friends and teammates whom I will cherish forever. I would like to thank my family for always being my biggest supporters and helping me get to where I am at today. Thank you to my coach, Steve, and everyone that has helped me along the way, pushing me to be better every single day. I am honored to be a Griz. Thank you, Griz Nation, for giving me this amazing opportunity and a place that I will call home forever. Go Griz!"
Reguant has had a unique experience compared to many other college students. Unique meaning, she had to navigate through college a bit differently due to the fact that she was originally from an entirely different continent. Though her experience was unique, she describes it as unforgettable.
"College is something you remember for the rest of your life. Everyone always says it'll be the best years of your life, but for me, I was coming from a different part of the world, you know, a different country. I really didn't know what to expect when I came here and I didn't even know if I was going to like it or not.
"Now that I've gone through it, it's been a very rewarding process. I think it's been great so far. It's something I'll remember for the rest of my life."
She's right, most people always remember their college experience, good or bad. Luckily, Reguant's experiences at the University of Montana have shaped her into who she is today, and have brought her skills that she'll carry with her forever.
"It's shaped me in a really good way. I remember when I first got here, I didn't even know where to start. Looking back at it now, the student-athlete life has given me great time management skills and great communication skills. When I got here, I didn't even speak English. So again, it's just been a very rewarding process. I look back and think, 'Oh my gosh, I have changed so much as a person. I've learned so much.'"
Though she's had many different experiences, she points out how being a student-athlete has been her favorite experience of all.
"Being on the tennis team has made this a once-in-a-lifetime experience for sure. If I wouldn't have been on the tennis team, my experience here would've been very different. I wouldn't have met all of these amazing people, I wouldn't get to travel, and I wouldn't have gotten to do all the cool things you get to do as a student-athlete."
Athletics have made a huge impact on Claudia's experience, but the staff at UM and the Missoula community have made almost a bigger impact.
"Everyone has been super helpful in so many ways, like the athletic department. Everyone's super nice and has helped me get to where I am today. The coaches and even the professors at the university have been so great. The community in Missoula is so local and so great.
"I remember my first day here and people would see me around on campus and always ask if I needed help or if they can show me anything. People seeing that I didn't speak their language would help me so much too. The community in Montana is something that just stands out compared to other states in the U.S. Montana has great quality people, especially the university."
As Claudia finds her next adventure, full of traveling, coaching, and working in the U.S., she has a few words she'd like to say.
"Being a Griz these past four years has been the best experience of my life. It has been a hard, but very rewarding ride. It's surreal that my time at the University of Montana is coming to an end. It feels like yesterday I had just gotten to Missoula for the first time, flying from the other side of the world, and I didn't know what to expect.
"I have shared amazing adventures, laughs, tears and the most special moments alongside my friends and teammates whom I will cherish forever. I would like to thank my family for always being my biggest supporters and helping me get to where I am at today. Thank you to my coach, Steve, and everyone that has helped me along the way, pushing me to be better every single day. I am honored to be a Griz. Thank you, Griz Nation, for giving me this amazing opportunity and a place that I will call home forever. Go Griz!"
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
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