Rick Hedberg Vice President for Advancement | Minot State University
Rick Hedberg Vice President for Advancement | Minot State University
Daniels Bendiks, an international student from Riga, Latvia, navigates the worlds of finance, accounting, and wrestling at Minot State University. The wrestler, motivated by both educational goals and a passion for his sport, is carving out a path far from home. The university's wrestling team's success—placing 11th globally the previous year—drew Bendiks to the U.S.
"Wrestling was the main reason I came here. There was another Latvian guy who came here, and I decided that I wanted to study in the USA,” Bendiks commented. He reached out to Coach Forde on the recommendation of a fellow Latvian.
Grateful for his decision, Bendiks found that his previous experiences at a training camp eased his initial fears of living abroad. "The first time I went to a training camp showed me that I can live far from home and still perform," he noted. Bendiks also expressed relief at the personalized attention he received at the university, which assuaged his concerns about fitting in.
“I was worried I would just be another student when I came here,” Bendiks said. He praised the university environment, appreciating small class sizes and regular interactions with knowledgeable faculty. In particular, he highlighted an opportunity provided by Professor Stai. “It was my first time sitting at a board meeting, and it was intimidating but fun.”
Beyond the classroom, Bendiks finds value in smaller communities, such as the finance club and leadership programs, for professional growth and networking. He emphasizes the importance of taking risks, advising, "Don't be scared, don't be intimidated, just go for it."
As Bendiks considers his future, he faces a significant decision between entrepreneurship and banking. "Right now, it's still a big question mark," he admits, contemplating whether to start his own business or pursue banking.
Minot State University, renowned for educational excellence, offers an active learning environment and community engagement opportunities, supporting students like Bendiks in their academic and extracurricular pursuits.
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