Roar Report Characteristic: International Waters: Panthers Swim & Dive Goes Global

International Waters: Panthers Swim & Dive Goes Global

From Lerum, Sweden, to Napier, New Zealand, Milwaukee swimming & diving is dwelling to student-athletes who’ve crossed oceans to compete in NCAA athletics. With eight worldwide rivals hailing from six completely different nations, this system has turn into a hotspot for worldwide expertise, bringing completely different languages, cultures, and skillsets to the Milwaukee neighborhood. And the one factor that brings these athletes collectively? Their ardour for swimming and a need to chase their desires, each athletic and educational, on the American stage.

Whether the athletes have been drawn to Milwaukee by scholarship alternatives, educational choices, teaching dynamics, or a shot at residing an American faculty life-style, every athlete has their very own story as to why they name Milwaukee their new dwelling.

 

Women’s Team Members

Men’s Team Members

• Emre Arican – Turkey, Freshman, Biomedical Engineering
• Caleb Carlisle – Napier, New Zealand, Sophomore, Business
• Josh Carroll – Palmerston North, New Zealand, Freshman, Kinesiology
• Jean Ducastel – Pont-Remy, France, Junior, Criminal Justice

 
The Big Dream
Some future Panthers had the concept of shifting abroad from a younger age. “I knew I wanted to do this when I was 13,” Arican stated. Edgren added, “My mom had always encouraged me and my older sister to go to the United States, since you don’t get the same opportunity to combine university with swimming in Sweden. When I saw how much fun my sister had in the U.S. with her teammates and the opportunities she was presented with, there was no doubt about going overseas. After I had a breakout national meet and started looking more into it, I decided that it was what I wanted to do,” Carroll said.
 
Other student-athletes acknowledged this chance later of their highschool years.

“I always thought the idea of traveling overseas to study seemed like a really cool experience, and I realized throughout high school that this was what I wanted to do,” stated Svenning. Carlisle and Ducastel famous that they, too, knew they have been destined for the American faculty expertise inside their previous few years of highschool.

 

Finding Milwaukee

A number of athletes, together with Ducastel and Arican, took initiative and contacted coaches Kyle Clements, Alex Hallam, and Todd Hill immediately. Others utilized worldwide recruiting assets to get in contact with the Panther teaching employees. “I joined a recruiter who put me in contact with Coach Alex,” stated Carroll.

Carlisle added, “My recruiting agent contacted coaches who were interested in me and then put me into contact with those coaches”.

Edgren and Svenning had related experiences. “Through the recruiting process, Milwaukee reached out to me about a year ago in October, and I really liked the program,” said Svenning.

Edgren talked about, “Alex reached out to me by email”.

 

Why the Panthers

Like most worldwide college students, not one of the six athletes have been capable of go to Milwaukee earlier than committing. However, that didn’t cease them from seeing the advantages this system and establishment may present. For Svenning, location and the group ambiance have been important in her resolution. “Milwaukee separated itself with its location, overall swim program, and the team,” she stated.

Carlisle agreed, stating that the teaching fashion and placement have been driving components. “It just felt like a good fit,” said Carroll, as he was excited in regards to the route of this system.

Location continued to be the widespread denominator amongst these worldwide athletes when deciding on their faculty dedication. “Milwaukee had everything I was looking for in location, academics, and the team,” added Edgren.

Arican and Ducastel each noticed Milwaukee as an enormous sea of alternatives. “The opportunities and the team were big factors in my decision-making process,” stated Arican.

 

Adapting to a New Life

Moving the world over actually comes with challenges past the pool.

“Honestly, your life changes as soon as you get off the plane,” said Edgren. “You need to adapt to being taught in English, to a new social life, and to a different culture.”

 

Language boundaries are sure to have an effect on these college students getting into the U.S. for the primary time. Svenning added, “The biggest adjustment has definitely been speaking English at all times, as well as having my education in English”.

Arican commented on the number of completely different guidelines which might be current within the States. Carlisle and Ducastel even seen some variations involving meals and the way this has been an enormous adjustment. Carlisle additionally touched on the variations in clothes kinds.

 

The Team as an Anchor

Despite early challenges, every athlete has leaned on the welcoming Panther group ambiance when making their transition to life in America.

“It’s like making over 50 new friends right away,” stated Edgren. “I was warmly welcomed immediately, and I couldn’t ask for anything better. As soon as I was unsure about something, there was always someone on the team that I could talk to.”

Svenning echoed this sentiment stating, “The team at Milwaukee has been incredibly welcoming and supportive through this process. Having other international student-athletes as part of the team has made the adjustment a shared and fun experience”.

The useful nature of the Milwaukee neighborhood has made these worldwide athletes really feel at dwelling. “I feel like I have a family away from home,” stated Carroll. Carlisle added “Joining the team has helped me make friends and be part of social events around the city”.

Ducastel and Arican touched on the identical notes, describing how pleasant and thoughtful the Panther household has been.

 

Favorite Parts of America

Adjusting to a brand new nation comes with its challenges, nevertheless it additionally brings thrilling discoveries. “The grocery stores are massive,” Svenning stated. “There are endless food selections!”

Ducastel commented on the pleasant nature of everybody, together with strangers. “People are so nice, even people that do not know me.”

Arican even touched on American freedom and the way he can do what he loves freely daily.

Carlisle said, “My favorite part about life in the United States is competing at sports competitions with the team”.

“My friends, free refills at restaurants, and coffee shops,” added Edgren. Lastly, Carroll is grateful for the change in surroundings that comes with being in a brand new nation.

 

Talent Knows No Borders

For these six Panthers, swimming introduced them to Milwaukee, nevertheless it’s the tradition, alternatives, and relationships which have made it really feel like dwelling. As the Milwaukee swim & dive program continues to develop globally, it’s clear that expertise is aware of no borders, and the bonds shaped right here go far past the pool.