In this case the American Dream is not the two storey house, white picket fence, 2.5 childen and minivan in the driveway - it's a humble boy from Bogan Gate travelling to West Virginia to fulfil his goal of becoming a tennis superstar.
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Jake Magill left the Parkes area in August to take up his four year tennis scholarship at the University of Charleston, and the 18-year-old has slipped seamlessly into college life despite the extra challenges COVID-19 has thrown up.
Magill spoke to the Parkes Champion Post from West Virginia, where the athlete has been very busy trying to fit in training, classes and meeting new friends.
"So far it has been very enjoyable but also quite busy at the same time.
"It's all very different with strict COVID rules in place; there are certain limits in classrooms, dining halls and in the dorm building and we have to wear a mask basically everywhere once we step outside our room.
"Most days we have to get up at 6am for an hour of conditioning in the gym, before classes throughout the day and some time to do homework.
"In the afternoon, we then have two hours of on-court hitting, usually from 4pm to 6pm," says Magill.
In the era of COVID-19, a social life looks pretty different but fortunately Magill has been able to meet new people from all walks of life.
"It has been a bit more difficult to socialize due to the restrictions but I have been able to meet some Americans and other international people in various sporting teams.
"We have common rooms where we can all hangout and talk, as well as a big front grassed area where we can go and kick a ball or sitting around and chat; so it's been really good so far," Magill says.
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As one would expect, the training and routine Magill has been going through in the ultra competitive USA college system has been on another level to what he's experienced in Australia but he's savouring every moment.
"Training has been going really well, it's been a big change and the sessions are fairly strenuous and tough.
"The workload has definitely increased a lot, and its been really enjoyable to be able to hit with other guys that are my level or better.
"At the end of most weeks, I'm fairly tired from just not being used to this level of training but I'm getting more used to it each week."
One of the biggest benefits of a scholarship to a big university like Charleston is not the dollar value (it covers 60 percent of the fees and expenses) - it's the ability to use world class facilities that provide great inspiration for athletes to better themselves.
"It has been good to be able to train in an actual, proper gym and spend a lot more time on court at a match-like intensity," says Magill.
The majority of the tennis team at the University of Charleston are internationals with four Americans taking part, which provides a great point of difference for those participating in the program.
"The coaches are really nice and as a team we all get along really well; we have two coaches - one is American and the other is from England.
"In training it's been really good so far; we all motivate each other and pretty much everyone puts in 100 percent each session," Magill says.
Be sure to keep an eye on the boy with the Bogan Gate backhand as he rises through the tennis ranks.
