For this edition of our interview series "Mongolia Through Foreign Eyes," we invited American professional basketball player Grace Berg for our column. She previously played for the Ulaanbaatar Amazons women's basketball team.
Interestingly, the Ulaanbaatar Amazons were crowned champions in the finals of the 2024–2025 season of the Women's National Premier League.
How long have you been in Mongolia?  
I was there for six months. I arrived in the middle of September and left in the middle of March.
So, you haven't been here during the summertime, right?  
Unfortunately, I haven't. And everyone says that's the best part.
But I hope you had at least a chance to travel while you were here.
Yeah, a little bit. One time we played in Darkhan city. Then, me and my teammates went to the big Chinggis Khan statue outside of the city. So, I saw a little bit of the countryside there. That was pretty neat. But I know a lot of other regions or cities are pretty far from the capital, Ulaanbaatar, so I didn’t get to explore much beyond that. But there’s so much to see in the city, and I got to experience a lot of that.
I'm so curious about your first impression right after you came to Mongolia.  
Yes, it was definitely different. I had never been out of the country before this, and this was my second time traveling abroad, but my first time living in another country long-term. I knew there would be a language barrier for sure, which I had prepared for. But I think everything was much more beautiful than I imagined. There was a lot more diversity in the city – from the food to the people walking around. I guess it was just a culture shock, too. But I thought it was really interesting to see so much diversity there. Also, it was warm when I first arrived, so I thought it would be cold the entire time, but I was wearing shorts a few days in. It was just beautiful. I think my expectations were pretty high, but what I saw and experienced exceeded them.
You mentioned Mongolian food. So, what is your favorite traditional Mongolian food?
I think buuz was my favorite. But I really didn’t go to any bad restaurants – everything I tried was really good. I liked everything!
Did you celebrate Lunar New Year while you were here?  
Actually, my teammates gave my mom and me traditional Mongolian outfits as a gift for the Lunar New Year because she was visiting at that time. That was really cool and kind of them. I didn’t dress up, but I went to one gathering. It was great to learn about the culture because, as someone who plays basketball and travels, I always want to learn about the places I visit and the people. I think that’s awesome and respectful. I also wanted to learn about these traditions and experience them with my teammates and coaches, so it was a special moment.
Please tell us one of your unforgettable memories that happened in Mongolia.  
I think the most unforgettable moment was when we won the championship. That was pretty obvious. It was so fun. Also, the day the team went to the Chinggis Khan statue – the whole team made it a full-day activity. Outside the museum, there’s a place where you can dress up as a Mongolian princess. We took pictures there, and that was pretty cool.
What did you learn the most after you came to Mongolia?  
I learned that, even though I couldn’t speak Mongolian fluently (I know a few words), there are still ways to communicate – whether that’s with hand signals or just being nice to people. It was so neat to see that in action. Some of my teammates knew basic English, and I knew some basic Mongolian, but we were still able to play basketball and communicate and be friends. That’s something I’d never experienced before, and I won’t forget it.
What did you enjoy the most while studying in Mongolia?  
My most enjoyable experience was just getting to know my teammates and playing basketball. We were really successful that season, which made it even better. My teammates were so kind and welcoming, and maybe that wasn’t what I was expecting. As a foreigner, you never know what to expect from teammates and coaches, but they were some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. They were so welcoming and supportive. It was my first experience playing and living in another country, and that made everything easier because I didn’t feel homesick or sad being so far from home. Having such welcoming teammates really made it easy to play and live far away.
Compared to athletes from other countries, what are some unique features of Mongolian players? 
I think a lot of players in Mongolia work really hard. One thing you notice is that people can sometimes be lazy in other places, but in Mongolia, I saw a lot of people who were really appreciative of what they had. That made me want to work harder. The game was very physical, and sometimes there were scratches and bruises, not from fouls, but just from the physicality of the game. Mongolian players use that to their advantage defensively, and they’re really fast.
What is your goal in your career?
I’ve always wanted to play professionally basketball after college, because I wanted to travel the world. Along with this, I think I want to learn as much as I can in each country I visit or live. Winning championships are pretty fun too, but getting to know my teammates, coaches, and those within the organization might matter more. When the team becomes like a family, that makes winning together all the more amazing!
Our interview might be read by kids and young people who love basketball. What advice would you give to those who dream of becoming professional players and achieving success?
I would say keep dreaming big. If people make fun of your dreams, that’s not a bad thing – it means your dreams are really big, and you have plenty of time to achieve them. If you really want something, you have to practice every day. You just have to go after it and be 100% committed. For me, basketball is something I’ve always loved, and that makes it much easier to continue playing, especially at this level. Even though I’m getting older and my body’s not the same, I still love to play. The experiences I’ve had have been amazing, and I’m super grateful. But I would say, just have fun, work really hard, and keep dreaming big.
What kind of services or culture would you like to implement here?  
I know they’re working on improving the trains and subways for traffic. Also, back home, there are sports bars and grills that are really popular. They have TVs everywhere, and you can go eat, usually wings or French fries, or whatever food you like. You can have lemonade or any beverage while watching your favorite games – NBA, football, or anything. I think a place like that would do well here, especially for sports fans. Maybe someone could invest in that kind of restaurant idea.
Thank you for the interview.

Published Date:2025-04-11