Nadja Andersen

Nadja Andersen came to UMass Lowell from Nakskov, Denmark, to play Division I women’s soccer with the River Hawks. Her interest in how the body works inspired her to major in exercise science, with a concentration in exercise and fitness management (EFM). 

“As an athlete, performance and overall health fascinated me, and the exercise science EFM concentration connects the science to real-life applications,” says Andersen.

Andersen quickly found that UMass Lowell offered a welcoming environment that inspired success in the classroom and on the field.

“UMass Lowell offered the right balance of academics and athletics, and the support here made it feel like the right place from the start,” says Andersen. “The professors are super-motivating and made me care even more about my courses.”

Competing as a student-athlete also played a major role in her growth.

“Soccer taught me a lot about discipline and balance,” says Andersen, a defender who was selected for the American East All-Rookie Team in her freshman year. “Managing practices, games and coursework pushed me to become more focused and organized.”

After graduation, Andersen plans to continue her education in Copenhagen, Denmark, where she will pursue clinical dietetics. Her long-term goal is to work in a health care setting that allows her to combine nutrition and exercise science to help people improve their health.

“I want to bring together movement, nutrition and science to support people in meaningful ways,” she says. “The experiences I gained at UMass Lowell have helped me realize that this is exactly the path I want to follow.”