The time has once again come for World Cup to take over the world and its television sets. As we in the U.S. know, it’s one of the few times that we are able to walk into a bar and regularly see soccer streaming. It also happens to be that time of year where graduates are getting their caps on and diving into the real world. Unfortunately for many, work and play will never find the perfect match.

Hattie Chandler, a recent University of Oregon graduate, is proving that this notion isn’t always true. Born and raised in Bath, England, Chandler remembers how soccer helped her transition into life in the U.S.

“It’s the reason I met my two best friends,” Chandler said.

At the age of 10, Chandler and her family made the move from England to California, forcing Chandler to start her life again. No more accent, no more England and no more life as she knew it.

Soccer, on the other hand, remained the same. She played for her high school in California and she continued to play for intramural teams at the UO. Soccer slowly started to become an idea for the future. During her time studying abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Chandler wrote a research report on the impact of soccer on girls in developing neighborhoods. She organized and hosted a Grassroot Soccer tournament on campus this past May.

With aspirations of continuing into the soccer field, Chandler applied for an internship with Street Soccer, a non-profit organization that helps children in tough situations with soccer, and was selected for the position.

“Her passion and determination for soccer is inspiring and has helped her achieve her goals,” Chandler’s friend Cecily Fernandes said.

To Chandler’s dad, Andrew Chandler, her achievements serve as a reminder of all the games and practices he attended over the years.

As many Americans sit in their air-conditioned cubicles and secretly stream World Cup games on our desktops, Hattie Chandler can serve as a reminder that it is never too late for a career change.