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differentworlds,samesportSophomore Moses Rotich from Kapchorwa,Uganda, came to Harding witha plan to run for the cross countryteam. Once he set foot on campus, however,he had a change of heart. Rotich saw thesoccer team playing and was reminded ofhow much he loved the sport. He playedsoccer since he was in secondary boardingschool — similar to American junior highschool.“In boarding school we played soccer allthe time, and I came to love it with a passion,”Rotich said.Coming to the U.S. was a big adjustmentfor Rotich. Stereotypes existed in Africa aboutAmerican soccer, but joining the Harding teamgradually changed his thinking. Practices wereas intense at Harding as they were at his home,and there were some different rules to getused to. The weather, however, was Rotich’sbiggest adjustment.“I have never lived in a humid place before,and the weather here changes so fast,” Rotichsaid. “I remember when I first tried out forthe team. It was so humid, and I felt like Icouldn’t breathe that day.”One of Rotich’s biggest challenges wascommunicating with his teammates. He was alittle intimidated because he had such a thickAfrican accent and started out very quiet withthe other soccer players.“After a few days though, I learned thatit is very difficult to isolate yourself in theUnited States,” Rotich said. “The guys would26 student life