Finding My Footing: A Swedish Student's Journey in Wheeling University - Week 2

The first week at Wheeling was hectic, about findng my footing. Settling into a new country, school, and swim team was overwhelming at times. I spent most days trying to adjust, from figuring out campus to navigating the social dynamics. The academic expectations were different from what I was used to in Sweden, and that will take some time to get used to as well.

But being part of the swim team gave me a sense of belonging—it was something familiar, a routine I could cling to in the middle of all this change. Training is tough, but it feels good to have structure. The culture shock of being in a new country is real, but the swim team helps me settle in quicker.

Move-in day went smoothly, though it did involve a lot of standing in line. After what felt like forever, I made it through—filled out some forms, got a few stamps, and eventually had my picture taken for my student ID. Once that was done, I headed to my new home—my dorm room. My first impression? It honestly looked a bit like a prison cell...

One of the hardest things to adjust to was having a roommate. Back in Sweden, I always had my own space, so sharing a room felt strange. Personal time became something I valued a lot more, simply because I wasn’t getting much of it. My roommate is great, though, so it’s not really about him—just the lack of alone time. That said, I do wonder if having my own room would make me feel lonely, so maybe this arrangement is for the best.

Despite the initial challenges, I’m truly grateful to be here. Every day is a learning experience, and I’m excited to see how this journey unfolds—both academically and in the pool.

As I head into my second week, I can feel things starting to click. I've been at Wheeling for three weeks now, and around 15% of my first semester is already behind me. It's strange how fast time moves, but I’m slowly figuring things out—finding my way around campus, building friendships, and getting into a more consistent training routine. The preseason is almost over, and soon the swim season will officially begin. The food here is starting to feel more familiar, and I’ve found a few places where I can escape and just be by myself for a bit.

I also attended my very first tractor fair, which was quite an experience. It was a full immersion into American culture, especially with the food—deep-fried everything! I tried things I’d never even thought to fry before, like Oreos and cookie dough, which were surprisingly tasty. I was really looking forward to the tractor pull, but unfortunately, it was canceled due to bad weather. Despite that, the whole event was a lot of fun and gave me a glimpse into a different side of American life that I never would have encountered back home.

This week, I’ve had some trouble sleeping. I’m not sure why, but I plan to look into it more. Maybe it’s just the adjustment to all the big changes happening at once. Another challenge has been the food schedule—having an 8 a.m. class when breakfast doesn’t open until 7:30 makes it hard to get a proper meal in before the day starts. I can see two solutions: either breakfast opens earlier or classes start later, but for now, I’m navigating it the best I can, making do with what’s available.

As you’ll see in the last few pictures at the bottom of the page, we wrapped up the week with some great team bonding. We went to a really nice place for food and even spent some time by the pool—which is kind of ironic, considering we already spend so much time at the pool. But it was great to hang out and get to know everyone better. It was our first trip together as the 2024 swim team, and it felt like the perfect way to kick things off. Lastly, Sarp and I did some shopping for the dorm, grabbing groceries and trying out some American soda.

It’s been a whirlwind start, but I’m excited to keep pushing forward. This experience, though challenging, is already proving to be one of growth, and I’m determined to make the most of it.