Page 19 - US APP Booklet

carefully, then decide what may be important to note. At first, I found this method of learning

difficult but after a few months, that

begin to change. I adjusted to American pedagogy and began to enjoy it. At the same

time, I made new friends and became less lonely.

I joined a soccer team at school, which allowed me to meet people and do the thing I

loved most. It seemed as though I’d found a way to be happy. So what if I’d been uprooted to the

U.S.? I could still pursue my dream of going pro here. Soon, I was playing more soccer than

studying. My solid B average began to dip. Of course, my parents found out and they were not

pleased. We had a heated exchange in which they told me that I must think about my future. At

first, I insisted that I was going to keep playing soccer no matter what. They said no. As the

conversation wore on, I just stopped listening to them and started agreeing so we could end this

painful exchange. But in my heart, I knew I would continue to dream my dream of becoming a

professional soccer player. My parents must have known this too because without warning, they

cut my living expenses. When I confronted them about this, they were steadfast: they would no

longer contribute anything towards my soccer aspirations and to make sure, they would only give

me enough money for room and board.

A year has passed and I’m still playing soccer sometimes, but I think we have reached a

compromise. Though I will always wonder what it will be like to go pro, I have decided I would

like to study sports management. I believe it will give me the skills I need to help my parents but

it will also keep me involved in sports. I hope that in this way, one day I can give a young person

the inspiration to follow his or her dreams.