California - A five-year long journey

Since I had not previously been there, I did not know what I would experience, or how much of a life journey it would entail. The thoughts occupied my mind, how long would I stay? Should I aim to do complete a full education for 4.5 years and then work or just stay a year to try something new?

After studying a year while playing tennis for Sacramento State University I decided to stay all four and a half years to receive my diploma. But it turned out to be more than that.

My first year, I lived in a so-called dorm where most freshmen lived. I experienced an incredible cultural difference, as Americans turned out to be much more open and social than people in Sweden. It felt almost like I had fallen in a place where everyone knew everyone, even if that was not the case. I felt special, and was surprised about how little most Americans know about Sweden and the interest in my country was great.

I got all sorts of questions about culture, sports weather and more. Often they knew about Swedish sportsmen/women and that the capital of Sweden was Stockholm. What I remember the most about my 5 years there is how much information I have given out about Sweden and almost everyone was interested in knowing more about other countries than just the U.S. Several people said that I seemed reserved and shy, which does not directly correspond to how it is, but compared to how social Americans are I can probably be perceived in that way.

The school reminded me a lot about high school, in studying a variety of basic subjects and the following two years focus on the "major" as it is called. I chose to study Communication, which is a broad education where I can work in different areas but with people and that was what I wanted. Combining sport at a serious level and being a full-time student often resulted in late nights and not much free time, but also the most amazing experience I have ever had.

To stand there on Graduation day was a feeling that I cannot describe, it felt like I had really gotten something out of all the hours on the tennis court, in the library, during lectures and all the hours of studying for each exam.

But after 4.5 years came the next question: What should I do now? Go home and work in Sweden and leave California behind or work for an indefinite time in the U.S.? I had my roots and best friends back in Sweden, while after 4.5 years, I was quite unsure where I belong. I chose to stay and work because I got a very good offer to become the marketing director at a new sports club with two floors and 17 tennis courts.

Right when I began my work, the economy had begun to deteriorate in the U.S., and it was a tough task to work with sales during these times. Sometimes it could be late nights and weekends to try to achieve results. My working hours were 10:30 am - 7:30 pm Mon-Fri so obviously it was long days and often more than 40 hours per week.

Working hours in California differs significantly depending on the job. I felt that people spent more time over there because the distances are so much longer. It was not unusual to have to drive at least an hour to work back and forth every day.

The traffic is also worse, and to go by bus is often not an option since public transportations are not of the same standard as in Sweden. I knew however, that my journey would come to an end since my visa would expire on 21st December 2008 and I was more or less forced to go back to Sweden.

There were mixed feelings, but somehow I missed being at home. Everything went very quickly, I gave my two weeks notice a little before my visa expired and decided overnight to go back to Sweden and suddenly there I was on the plane. When the plane took off, I knew that it would turn out well.

Now, six months later, I am back into my old life with the same friends that I had when I left. There is not much that really has changed except that I now have an incredible life experience both in terms of education, sports and working in California.

I am aware of that not everyone gets the chance and I appreciate the time I got there. To look back on the situation, I believe that the saying "It´s good to be away, but to be home is always the best" is pretty accurate...