From Wheeling to Home: More Than Just a Goodbye - Week 36

This week marks the end of something big. My first year in America is over, and so is this blog, at least for now.

It’s been a wild ride, but everything has its time. Whether I return or not is still undecided. But I have a plan, and I’ve decided to stick to it. Whatever comes next, I’m ready.

This last week wasn’t hectic, more like slow and steady. Most of my days were spent packing, planning, and trying to fit my entire life from this past year into a two suitcases and a storage bin. I had way more stuff than I thought. Moving everything out of my dorm took longer than expected, and I’m really thankful to those who helped me and allowed me to store my things.

Most of my classes were already over, so I didn’t have much academic stress. Just a few last lessons and some final check-ins. I’m proud to say I’ve kept my grades up and will finish off this year with a report card I’m genuinely happy with. I’ll do my best to keep that momentum going throughout the rest of my university years, wherever they might take place.

I spent some of the last days with friends, laughing, helping with senior photos, and just enjoying the quiet moments. But truthfully, my mind has already been drifting home. I’ve missed my family deeply, and the thought of hugging them again has been pulling at me all week.

Graduation weekend came and went quickly. We sat in one of the gyms for the ceremony, and I watched from the sidelines as the seniors walked across the stage. My team captain, Jade, gave the valedictorian speech, big congratulations to her. It felt strange, like watching the end of a chapter you’ve only just started reading.

On Sunday, I made my final move out of the dorm, packing the last bits and carrying them to storage. And then, just like that, 3 PM hit and it was time to leave Wheeling.

By coincidence, two friends from the golf team were flying on the same plane as me, so I had some familiar company on the ride to the airport and through the first leg of the journey. We stopped for Chipotle on the way, which turned out to be my first proper meal that day. I don’t think I’ve ever appreciated a honey chicken & rice bowl that much before.

At Pittsburgh Airport, I checked in my bags and waited. It’s not the most exciting airport, especially with Chick-fil-A closed on Sundays and half the terminal under construction. I grabbed an iced tea and a sandwich, which ended up being a smart move since plane food doesn’t always cut it.

Once we landed in Heathrow, I wandered for a bit before meeting up with my golf friends. We sat down for a meal, Korean BBQ chicken with coconut rice. Fancy and good tasting without breaking the bank (as airports sometimes do).

And now I’m on my final flight, back to Stockholm. Almost home. It still hasn’t fully sunk in.

But here’s what I know:
This year changed me. I grew, I struggled, I adapted. I made new friends. I swam hard. I got homesick. I figured things out. I messed things up. I laughed a lot. I learned more about who I am than I expected to.

So this is goodbye — for now.

But life has a funny way of circling back.
And maybe, just maybe...
this isn’t the end of the story.