Hruba’s Transition to Hawai’i

Wearing her puka shell necklace and slippers, UH tennis player and 2016 Big West Freshman of the Year, Marina Hruba, spoke out about her school and career transition from Europe to Hawaii. She experienced a huge but smooth transition. Hruba was very passionate about her freshman year at the University of Hawaii.

She revealed how the school system in Czech Republic expects you to be a full time student. “Teachers aren’t understanding in Czech, they don’t support you when you do sports,” said Hruba. Hruba is happy with the college system here, it’s exactly what she needs and what she always wished for. “People in Europe don’t see going to the United States to study as a good thing, they see it as a loss,” Hruba added.

Hawaii on the on the other hand, allowed her to do both her studies and be successful in tennis. Hruba met head tennis coach, Jun Hernandez, at a tournament in Europe. She came to Hawaii knowing he wanted her here and that Hawaii was a paradise. Hruba arrived in January of this year. The friendly type of people in Hawaii helped her have an easy transition from her hometown, halfway around the world.