Junior, Igor Uskokovic moved 6,500 miles for new opportunities academically and athletically.

The foreign exchange student came from Montenegro and joined the varsity water polo team at Palos Verdes High School.

He explains that PVHS’s schedule is much different than his home country’s education, “In Montenegro, students have 14 subjects as opposed to 6 resulting in a very broad education. The subjects do not go as in-depth as they do in America.”

In addition to the language Montenegrin, he also studied English and Italian. He understands English extremely well but finds it more challenging to speak than to listen.

Sometimes he has trouble comprehending the unique terminology used in the classroom.

Teammate Anthony D’Ambra and his family are thrilled to host Uskokovic in their home this year and love the new experience.

The two conveniently share a similar schedule of water polo practice and school and they even have Marine Biology and Psychology class together.

In their free time, they love playing ping pong and video games with each other. “It is nice to have another friend in the house because my sisters are gone. I have always wanted a brother and now it happened,” D’Ambra said.

Two years ago, Uskokovic’s home team won the European Championship Juniors.

This year, they claimed 7th in the world.

When playing on the Montenegro National team, Uskokovic explains they practiced 6-7 hours a day.

He is thrilled to be in America and feels that there are “more opportunities here in water polo and for education.”

“I am excited to have him here. It is really fun to see the team embrace him and to see him flourish here,” Coach Pat O’Brien said.

If Uskokovic returns to California for college, his dream is to attend USC or UCLA. “I think he will have very strong opportunities to play college water polo if that is what he chooses to do,” O’Brien said.

Uskokovic brings strengths to the varsity water polo team.

O’Brien explained Uskokovic has a “great base of fundamentals and body positioning. It’s great for our players to see that and learn from him and have him be part of the team.”

D’Ambra believes Uskokovic’s presence “makes our teammates want to work harder because there is someone always pushing us.

When he trains in Montenegro, it is a lot different. His previous training was a lot more aggressive and physical than what he has experienced in America.

“He pushes our team,” D’Ambra said. Uskokovic’s positive effect may influence the team’s season goals.

D’Ambra feels Uskokovic “makes the team goals a lot higher and makes us accomplish a lot more than we thought we could.”