Nigel Kobia ‘21 Recruiting Profile

Personal Statement

My name is Nigel Kobia and I am an aspiring Soccer player. 

“You can’t make it, do you know how many kids want to do this, what makes you special, you live in Kenya IMPOSSIBLE, YOU CAN’T DO IT!” That is all that I’ve been hearing since I realized what I want to be in the future but I can prove them wrong as I have been doing all my life with the difference achievements I’ve worked for and earned, “You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice and work hard for it.” Lionel Messi. Some may say that it’s luck, some may say it’s talent but I have learnt that you can’t let people bring you down because of everything that comes out of their mouths, you can’t control that, and it's the same way you can't control a lot of things, but you could control your mind-set and how you will take the so called “hate”. That is what I’ve learnt, that you have to look for solutions in everything, even in soccer. I have been a captain for my school team and won the overall best football player during the school prize day 3 years in a row.

I want to come to your university so I can study  psychology and business . This is because I believe that psychology plays a huge role when it comes to sports. The push and mental strength you will need in order for you to push through various challenges such as life changing injuries, bad performances in matches, the pressure of social media and even motivation of you and your teammates. I could also become a professional psychologist after my football career ends. I want to study business management in your university because I believe and I have always believed that business is the core for life, without business, the world wouldn’t be the same. There is business in everything you do, including football.

I have represented my school and football academy from the age of 10 both internationally and locally, winning local trophy’s. The exposure really broadened the way I see the world and the different cultures I was exposed to in Spain and Sweden really made me think different in terms of the way I saw the world before and after, the advancements technologically and how I could bring back to my home country, Kenya and also the style of play. By attending the Aga Khan Academy Nairobi which is one of the best IB schools in Kenya, I have an open mind getting into tasks and looking tasks on a larger scale, thinking outside the box. CAS (creativity, activity, service) is a major role in the IB programme. CAS enables me to enhance my personal and interpersonal development by learning through experience. It provides opportunities for self-determination and collaboration with others, fostering a sense of accomplishment and enjoyment from my work. Giving back to the community plays a major role in fulfilling my CAS hours.

I believe that your university will give the opportunity and the facilities to reach my dream of become a professional football player while studying business  and  psychology. This is because your school strikes a balance with both sports and school with the name that it has built for many big names and some of my idols. I believe that your university would not only be the best for me educationally but also socially as I can surround myself with who have similar interests and guide me through my university life.