by Margaret Schell

D ouble economics and finance major Jorge Robinson of Concordia, Argentina, is prepared for what’s next after studying four years at Georgia College & State University.

Robinson started his tennis career at Georgia College in January 2021 and played through May 2024. During the spring semester, he was ranked as the Bobcat’s top player.

Robinson came to the U.S. to continue playing the sport he loves while pursuing his degree.

Regular training and tennis competitions taught him how to organize his schedule to balance training, rest and other responsibilities.

“Playing tennis helped me remain calm and focused in high-pressure situations,” Robinson said. “It also taught me discipline and consistency, like being on time and not giving up until I reach my goals.”

His communications skills also improved.

“Tennis taught me to express myself clearly and assertively,” he said. “I practice active listening during coaching sessions and when discussing tactics with my partners.”

“What I enjoy the most about playing tennis are the relationships I’ve made,” he said. “I’ve met people from all over the world because of our shared love for this sport.”

During the summers, Robinson traveled to Spain, France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Germany, Japan and South Korea to play tennis.

Robinson considers the support and guidance he got while at Georgia College from Susie Ramage of the International Education Center as “invaluable.”

“She played a significant role in my life and is very important to me,” Robinson said. “I deeply appreciate everything she did to help me grow and succeed.”

On the academic side, Robinson appreciates Drs. J.J. Arias, Chris Clark, Brooke Conaway and Brent Evans from the College of Business & Technology for being available to him when he needed their help.

“I gained valuable knowledge about investing, taxes, mortgages and more from Dr. Evans,” he said. “His guidance and everything else he taught me will be crucial for my success.”

His tennis coach, Steve Barsby, taught Robinson the value of working with his teammates.

“I had little to no experience working as part of a group or cheering others on. Tennis is often an individual sport,” he said. “But this all changed at Georgia College. Now I’m not just playing for myself, but for something even more important: my team.”

Robinson developed critical thinking skills on and off the court.

“Through a combination of academic challenges, real-world applications and leadership experiences, I was required to analyze complex data, evaluate different viewpoints and challenge assumptions,” he said. “In tennis, I learned to assess different strategies, support my teammates and make decisions under pressure.”

Robinson was also in the International Club and Finance Club. He made many friends during his time at Georgia College.

“I will miss the people here the most,” Robinson said. “Over the years, I’ve met incredible individuals and created unforgettable memories I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”

He plans to begin pursuing his master's degree in August 2025.

“My appetite for knowledge in economics and finance remains unfulfilled,” he said. “I’m eager to learn more. But first, I want to gain real-world work experience, then see how a master’s degree can further enhance my expertise and career prospects.”