The Inside Scoop on the International College Swimmer Experience

Flags to represent international students and their countries
Photo Courtesy: Kara Battistoni
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By Alexa Kutch, College Swimming Intern.

Transitioning from high school to college swimming is a feat in itself. Student athletes commit to schools they believe will best suit their academic, athletic and social needs for the next four years. Many aspects contribute to their decision, whether that be the campus and location, the surrounding community, the team atmosphere, or even the recruiting trips.

However, this process is all the more difficult for swimmers who are from another country. These students’ selections are strictly based on research of the school and phone calls with the coaches. Their first time on campus may very well be the first day of pre-season training. Below are five international college swimmers who share their experiences of learning the ropes of college swimming, all while adapting to the lifestyle of training in a new culture.

1. Kiran Richardson, Australia

drexel-australian-at-international-meet

Photo Courtesy: Kiran Richardson (lane 4)

First of all, swimming really helped me cope with being so far away from my home and family. Nothing in America is similar to back home. Consequently, as soon as I got in the pool and saw that same black line, this was the only thing that truly reminded me of home. This was what made me look forward to practices. Swimming was the sole reason I came to America, and it allowed me to relax and de-stress from homesickness.

As for the collegiate culture, there were a lot more enthusiastic spectators who watched racing compared to Australian meets. The hardest part for me was adapting to how they circle swam. Back home, we swam clockwise and here they swam counter-clockwise. I really struggled at first because I was constantly dizzy, but I have since gotten used to it.

2. Claudia Duguay, Canada

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Photo Courtesy: Claudia Duguay

As a post-graduate swimmer, I can safely say there were a lot more expectations put on me. I had to learn to take the sport more seriously. It was hard adjusting to the sheer intensity of the atmosphere. Back at home, swimming was a lot more laid back, and if you needed a day off, you got it. Now as a grad assistant coach, I realize that the people you swim with are your best friends for life. The mentality is that you swim for your team, which allows you to grow closer. The biggest switch for me was the meets themselves. Most noteworthy, I did not know what a dual meet was until I got to college, because all of our meets were championship meets. Fortunately, American college swimming exposed me to a bunch of different competitions and competitors.

3. Tanja Kirmse, Germany

Tanja-swimming-at-CAAs

Photo Courtesy: Tanja Kirmse

The transition was very tough. For instance, I wanted to quit within the first two months. You have to have a lot of courage to put yourself out there and learn how to deal with a different language, culture, and types of practices. Personally, I was not used to best average sets. I was not used to weight lifting either. Those two aspects combined with an unfamiliar culture made things all the more challenging. Nevertheless, I came to realize that sticking with it and not quitting was the best decision I ever made. My teammates were like family. Likewise, everyone I met in the U.S. were so genuinely welcoming and friendly. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I would not trade for the world. I know the friendships I made in the sport will last a lifetime.

4. Stathis Malamas and Paris Raptis, Greece

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Photo Courtesy: Stathis Malamas

In Greece, we would mainly train in a long course meters pool. Eventually when we got to college, it was rather easy for us to move to short course practices. When it came to meets, short course yards presented to be a lot more competitive. Another facet of U.S. college swimming was the amount of lifting we did. There is not a huge focus on strength and conditioning in our country. The reality is that long course is more about keeping technique and saving energy, which muscle can consume too much of. As for the social aspect, our teammates had a major influence on us compared to back home, and we immediately felt like part of a team. In addition, their constant encouragement motivated us and was something we were not used to.

5. Dora Gercsák, Hungary

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Photo Courtesy: Zoltán Gercsák

Unlike my other international teammates, I was fortunate enough to have a sibling who had already three years of American college swimming under his belt. In the beginning, he was able to assist me when I did not know what was going on in practices. Eventually, my other teammates took over and helped me cope with the little things like the amount of flip turns I was doing compared to back home.

Additionally, because Hungary required me to go to school for an extra two years, it was weird coming in as a freshman and being the same age as some of the upperclassmen. Despite this age gap, my teammates supported me and made me realize how much of a team sport swimming truly was.

-All commentaries are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Swimming World magazine nor its staff.

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