Exactly one year ago from today I was landing in Helsinki for the very first time. It seems like so long ago but somehow just like yesterday all at the same time. For someone who had only been out of the country once on a cruise, hopping on a plane to move halfway across the world for 6 months was a pretty big deal. Not to mention, I knew very, very little about Finland and Finnish culture. I was literally flying right out of my own comfort zone in little 'ole North Carolina to pursue a dream I've had ever since I was a little girl.
Playing soccer professionally was something always in the back of my head. However, I usually kept it WAY in the back of my head because it seemed so unrealistic. I think if someone asked me what I wanted to do after graduating college a few years ago and I answered be a professional athlete, they would've laughed in my face! But really, it's not that common for college athletes to be able to continue playing their sport after graduation AND to do it as their job! We've all seen that NCAA commercial on TV... "There are over 400,000 NCAA student-athletes, and most of us will go pro in something other than sports." I mean that's what we're told from the beginning. If you're lucky, you get to play a sport in college but then after that you have to get a real job. Thankfully, I was surrounded by an amazing support system of family, friends, and coaches and I was able to realize that this idea that your athletic career ends the same time your college career ends doesn't have to be true!! Somedays I feel like someone needs to pinch me. It's hard to explain the feeling when your job is doing something you truly love. I feel unbelievably blessed to have the opportunites I have had and I know this is just the beginning.
So much has happened in the past year and the people I've met has hands-down been the best part of it all. It's funny some of the questions people have asked me about my experience. A fairly common one is "Is it hard to talk to and get to know people?" This seems like a pretty normal question I guess, but I think some people have this idea that Finns can barely speak English or that they are extremely shy and hard to connect with. Yes, they can be pretty reserved initially and it's pretty funny to actually think back to the first time I met some of my teammates, but the friendships I have with them now is exactly like any other friendships I have. I am so grateful for finding this HJK club because the team and coaches have been more than I could've ever asked for. And I can't leave out the my "Finnish parents" and their entire family. They have made me feel at home since day one and treat me like one of their own! It's amazing how quickly I've grown to love all these people.
Last year I was able to see lots of different places and I made some memories I will never forget! I've tried all kinds of food, seen some of the most beautiful landscapes, and I've drank more coffee than any normal person should :) I've seen some interesting parts of Finnish culture, like Vappu and Midsummer. I've seen the sun stay out all night during the summer. I've discovered Suomenlinna which is still my favorite place here! I've attended a Finnish concert AND a Finnish summer music festival. I've experienced staying at a Finnish summer cottage. I've traveled to two other countries, Sweden and Estonia. And in almost a month, I'll get to explore even more of Europe with one of my brothers, James!!
I am amazed with some of the things I've learned while being here. Living thousands of miles away from your family and friends, you tend to grow up and learn a lot about yourself. I have been able to see how much some people really care about me and how even a text or FaceTime chat every once and a while, can make it feel like I've never left. I've learned that I'm strong enough to handle things on my own, even if I may not want to. I've learned to rely on God when I don't know where else to turn because He is always there. And I've learned meeting new people isn't so scary if I go into it with an open mind.
I'm so grateful for all the people I've met, all the memories I've made, all the places I've seen and all the lessons I've learned this past year. And I'm so excited to have atleast 6 more months here in Finland. I know the best is yet to come :)
Playing soccer professionally was something always in the back of my head. However, I usually kept it WAY in the back of my head because it seemed so unrealistic. I think if someone asked me what I wanted to do after graduating college a few years ago and I answered be a professional athlete, they would've laughed in my face! But really, it's not that common for college athletes to be able to continue playing their sport after graduation AND to do it as their job! We've all seen that NCAA commercial on TV... "There are over 400,000 NCAA student-athletes, and most of us will go pro in something other than sports." I mean that's what we're told from the beginning. If you're lucky, you get to play a sport in college but then after that you have to get a real job. Thankfully, I was surrounded by an amazing support system of family, friends, and coaches and I was able to realize that this idea that your athletic career ends the same time your college career ends doesn't have to be true!! Somedays I feel like someone needs to pinch me. It's hard to explain the feeling when your job is doing something you truly love. I feel unbelievably blessed to have the opportunites I have had and I know this is just the beginning.
So much has happened in the past year and the people I've met has hands-down been the best part of it all. It's funny some of the questions people have asked me about my experience. A fairly common one is "Is it hard to talk to and get to know people?" This seems like a pretty normal question I guess, but I think some people have this idea that Finns can barely speak English or that they are extremely shy and hard to connect with. Yes, they can be pretty reserved initially and it's pretty funny to actually think back to the first time I met some of my teammates, but the friendships I have with them now is exactly like any other friendships I have. I am so grateful for finding this HJK club because the team and coaches have been more than I could've ever asked for. And I can't leave out the my "Finnish parents" and their entire family. They have made me feel at home since day one and treat me like one of their own! It's amazing how quickly I've grown to love all these people.
Last year I was able to see lots of different places and I made some memories I will never forget! I've tried all kinds of food, seen some of the most beautiful landscapes, and I've drank more coffee than any normal person should :) I've seen some interesting parts of Finnish culture, like Vappu and Midsummer. I've seen the sun stay out all night during the summer. I've discovered Suomenlinna which is still my favorite place here! I've attended a Finnish concert AND a Finnish summer music festival. I've experienced staying at a Finnish summer cottage. I've traveled to two other countries, Sweden and Estonia. And in almost a month, I'll get to explore even more of Europe with one of my brothers, James!!
I am amazed with some of the things I've learned while being here. Living thousands of miles away from your family and friends, you tend to grow up and learn a lot about yourself. I have been able to see how much some people really care about me and how even a text or FaceTime chat every once and a while, can make it feel like I've never left. I've learned that I'm strong enough to handle things on my own, even if I may not want to. I've learned to rely on God when I don't know where else to turn because He is always there. And I've learned meeting new people isn't so scary if I go into it with an open mind.
I'm so grateful for all the people I've met, all the memories I've made, all the places I've seen and all the lessons I've learned this past year. And I'm so excited to have atleast 6 more months here in Finland. I know the best is yet to come :)