Bottom, left to right: Cody, Grant
One year ago today I sat alone at Arlanda Airport in Stockholm. I had just said goodbye to my parents. I had hosted a going away party the week before. I had sorted out so I had all my books and so my visa was approved. I had two fully packed suitcases with all my favourite belongings checked in. I was both excited and nervous at the same time. Not only because of the fear that I might lose one of my bags, but also because I was heading somewhere where I didn’t know what was going to happen to me. Was I going to have a boring lonely semester or was I going to get to live the American college dream at Purdue?
That question was answered within the first 24 hours within landing in America. I arrived at Hawkins Hall at Purdue almost at midnight. I checked myself in, went up to my room and fell asleep without even unpacking. The jet lag hit me hard because the next day I didn’t wake up until noon. I started unpacking my things and felt the loneliness. I knew that I had a mandatory meeting at 4 PM, but what was I going to do afterwards? I went out and got some food while I pondered what to do with the day. I had texted the guys I met in Sweden that I was there, but didn’t know where they lived or what they were doing. After the most stupid meeting ever where I was basically told that it is illegal to commit crimes in America I decided to see what the guys were up to. I texted Grant asking him if he was in West Lafayette, he wasn’t. However, being the kind soul that he is, he texted me John’s number and told me he was at their house. After two minutes of me texting him John told me to come over and luckily for me they only lived 3 minutes away.
This was my first time meeting some of the people that were at the house and only the third meeting John and Miller. Without even missing a beat though we continued where we left off. We decided to go get something to eat. It was obscene. A mac and cheese hamburger on the menu? Really America? Of course I ordered it and it was delicious. We went back to the house and met up with Grant and I gave him a big hug and the plan for the night was clear. To the bars!
America’s drinking culture is very different from Sweden’s and for a first timer it’s kind of scary. People who should have been thrown out of the bars a long time ago are still allowed in and people are screaming all over the place. My American teachers when it came to American culture took well care of me though and upon returning home to their house after an amazing night I felt something special. I felt that I belonged here with these people.
What followed were the four best months of my life. I enjoyed every moment, even the schoolwork. Every time I called home to my parents they could hear the happiness in my voice. I got to see the best part of America and the best parts of Indiana. Walking around the campus every day filled me with joy because I knew that when classes were over there were amazing people around me everywhere. It felt like the inhabitants of West Lafayette took me in as one of their own.
I could write about every person I met in America and what they meant to me, but there are 8 people who stand out. Ryan Emery, Alex Miller, Alex Piroozi, Nishit Banka, Grady Young, John Brock, Grant Wood and Cody Denton. These lads would take me tailgating and make sure I experienced America’s favourite pastime, American football. They invited me out to dinners and parties and made sure to introduce me to their friends, They took me to their frat house and made sure I met their brothers. They gave me so many great memories and fantastic moments to think back on during the last year, but most importantly they were amazing friends who I could count on and their friendship is priceless to me.
Without them I would have been completely lost. 12 months later, all I can say is thank you. Thank you Nish for being the international who understood what it meant to be in a completely different country and for . Thank you Ryan for not questioning who this Swedish guy was and even inviting me and writing me a letter on your 21st birthday. Thank you Piroozi for your kindness and love and also providing the house with some sanity, it was needed. Thank you Grady for your love of Swedish girls, your calming nature and for letting me be a part of your 22nd birthday. Thank you John for being the life of the party, a great chef and for just being you. Thank you Miller for providing me with amazing soundbites, your necessary lessons in American culture and for being my right hand man during a last week which shall not be mentioned. Thank you Cody for taking me to a Bears and a Cubs game, for taking me in during thanksgiving and for being the best friend and the one I got to start this amazing idea with. And thank you Grant, because without you this text wouldn’t have been written, these people wouldn’t be in my life and I wouldn’t have these amazing memories. Thank you also for being a source of entertainment simply by being yourself. It was a hell of a ride and I wouldn’t have changed a thing. Thanks for the love and thanks for the friendship. I miss you lads. Attending Purdue for a semester was truly the greatest decision I’ve ever made.
Across The Pond 