Across the ocean...

How did I end up here in Akron, Ohio. Read through my journey and how I end up on the other side of the ocean!

As I mentioned it before I came to the US in 2017 to study and swim at The University of Akron. I knew I always wanted to come to the US to study and potentially to swim as well. It was the best decision I have ever had. It was obviously really hard at the beginning. Can you imaging moving to another country and study a major while keeping up with a sport? It was a lot but as I said I do not regret it at all.

For me the hardest part was the first step, starting the process: saying yes and deciding to come. It was scary. Coming here was the biggest challenge I've ever faced before. I came from another country -Spain-, another culture, knowing another language (of course I knew some English but not as good as my first language) and knowing almost no one. It was hard. But now, I am completely fluent in English, I made a lot of friendships throughout these past years and I grow not only as a swimmer but as a person as well.

It was also my first time away from home. There I learned how to live on my own and be independent. The first year I was here I couldn't visit my family for over 5 months. I've never spent that much time away from my family and there were days when all I wanted to do is to come back. And who would have told me that last year I wasn't gonna see my family for over a year when Covid-19 hit?. There is always new challenges ahead of you and you are way more strong that you think.

“Every challenge, every adversity, contains within it the seeds of opportunity and growth.”

Doesn't it happen to you that you don't know what you were missing to what you were capable of doing until you do it?. Don't let fear determine your decisions and experiences. It can be hard at the beginning, saying yes and to commit to something but, it could be the best thing that has ever happen to you.

So, if you don't know if you should go for it, here is your sign: DO IT!