SOUTHEND-ON-SEA, ENGLAND– After three seasons with the Saint Peter's University women's soccer team, former Peacock defender
Mei Li O'Neil has taken the next step in her athletic and academic journey overseas.
Having graduated earlier this year, Mei recently made the move across the pond to Leeds, England, where she has embarked on an exciting postgraduate year overseas. As well as pursuing her master's degree in Sport Performance Analysis, Mei will be continuing her college soccer career at one of England's leading sporting universities.
The California native received interest from multiple universities before committing to her new team, where she'll bring her experience and leadership to a highly competitive environment. As she begins life as a postgraduate student-athlete, Mei is eager to make an impact both academically and athletically during her time in England.
Over recent years, the UK has become a popular destination for former student-athletes as different eligibility rules permit students to compete alongside their graduate education.
While the chance to play another year of college sport initially caught her attention, several other factors also influenced Mei's decision to make the move to England. Master's degrees in the UK take only 12 months to complete, tuition is typically cheaper, and former US college athletes can often use their playing experience to earn substantial athletic scholarships.
Mei was supported throughout the entire process by UK-based company Play Overseas, who provide a free service to graduating and former student-athletes, helping them to
identify opportunities to further both their sporting career and education overseas.
Play Overseas is currently recruiting student-athletes for Spring and Fall entry in 2026. Any student who wishes to explore the possibility of playing a further year of college sport in the UK while pursuing a master's degree can register their interest via the following link:
www.playoverseas.co.uk/apply.
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This news release is courtesy of www.playoverseas.co.uk
