What happens when you mix soccer, culture, language, international friendships, and a suitcase full of dreams?
You get the BUSA Travel Experience — an unforgettable opportunity where young athletes leave their comfort zones and step into the real-life adventure of being a student-athlete in the United States.
Recently, three rising stars — Dexter, Markus, and Gabriel — left their home countries for the fields of Kent Island, Maryland. Their mission? To live like true BUSA-USA athletes: training hard, learning English, discovering new routines, and growing as players and people.
But this is not your typical exchange trip. There’s no sightseeing bus or classroom tour guide. Instead, the field becomes the classroom, the teammates become family, and every challenge is a new chapter in their story.
Whether it’s understanding tactics in English, sharing a post-training meal with American teammates, or scoring that one goal that makes you believe anything is possible — this journey is about building something bigger than soccer: a future full of global opportunities.
And now… meet the players behind this dream.
🎙️ DEXTER: “The Giant in the Goal (Who Also Loves Burgers)”
“Hey! I’m Dexter Refiel Agostini, I’m 15, I’m a goalkeeper, and yes — I’m really 1.90 meters tall. People always ask me, ‘Are you in a pro team?’ and I just laugh.
I live in Brazil and play for BUSA São Paulo, but I also train with BUSA USA, which is awesome because I get to experience two different soccer cultures.
Off the field, I’m pretty chill — I love playing video games and eating good food. Honestly, eating might be my favorite hobby. And I’m a die-hard Grêmio fan — the biggest club in Brazil, no doubt!
This trip has been amazing. I’m learning English, improving my game, and pushing myself every day. I feel like I’m getting closer to my dream — maybe playing college soccer, maybe going pro. Either way, I’m loving every second!”
🎙️ MARKUS: “Speed, Skill, and Flamengo Fever”
“Yo! I’m Markus, I’m 16, and I’m from a small town in São Paulo called Itapira. I play as a midfielder or winger — wherever the team needs me to bring speed and creativity.
I play for Guacuano-SP, and being part of the BUSA Travel Experience has been surreal. It’s like living something I used to only imagine.
My strengths are vision, speed, and strength. And when I’m off the field? I’m watching Flamengo highlights — I’m a true fan through and through.
The intensity of the game here is different, and the structure is amazing. Every day I feel more prepared, more focused, and more motivated to pursue this dream.”
🎙️ GABRIEL PINEL: “From Futsal Floors to International Fields”
“Hi! I’m Gabriel Pinel, I’m 17, and I’m from Aveiro, Portugal. I play midfield — central, defensive, attacking — I can handle them all thanks to my futsal background.
I played futsal for 10 years, which gave me great control, quick decision-making, and positioning. Now I play for Estarreja, and I’m here with the BUSA Travel program.
Fun fact? I’m Coach Luis’s cousin — he coaches the 2012 and 2015 BUSA teams. So yeah, soccer is in my blood!
This experience is something I’ll carry forever. I’ve grown so much — as a player and as a person. It’s helped me see that the world is way bigger than I thought — and that maybe, just maybe, I have a place in it through the game I love.”