A former Bishop Union High School student and athlete who moved to the United Kingdom to play for a new soccer academy, Hugo Santana graduated from BUHS in 2022 and pursued his soccer career in Newcastle. Hugo was once a major asset in the Broncos soccer team with high stats and great ranks. Today we were able to interview Hugo and here are the questions we asked and the responses he gave:

What has been the hardest thing so far about being in a different country?

I would say the most challenging part of being in a different country for me so far would be the time difference and being so far away from family, friends, and girlfriend. I am 8 hours ahead which reduces time to talk to my family or my girlfriend and friends. 

What do you think about the new soccer academy you play for?

So far playing for i2i International Soccer Academy has been an amazing experience, the work ethic is out of the roof. We train every day of the week and have to work out two days a week after training. We play year-round and have games every week. Our team did not start off with the best record, but after a month of training and building chemistry with all these new players and new playing style, we improved so quickly. We have now been undefeated for 4 months with two ties!

Do you think you are adjusting well to this new location and a new team?

When I first arrived in Newcastle I felt so lost, so alone, as I started training and going to classes I felt more comfortable and started making more and more friends. This location is way different from Bishop, I live in mid-city which is something very different. But I feel as if I have adjusted here to a certain extent, it’s beautiful here. My new team to me right now is more like a family, spending every day with them has made our connections super strong. 

Would you say your new academy is better than the Bishop Broncos?

Bishop Broncos was a huge part of my life, I loved every second of being a Bishop Bronco during soccer and our team was always amazing. But in all honesty, this is a much higher level I am playing. My coaches are former professional players and so the training we do is very heavy with such good quality. I believe that i2i academy is more professional. 

Would you like to add anything else?

I believe that in order to succeed in life you have to be willing to make sacrifices no matter how hard they can be. I have been blessed with this amazing opportunity and I have realized what being a student-athlete is really like…not so easy whatsoever!

Take care and I wish you all the best of luck in life, GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!