My expat life: Is it the American Dream?

Over the summer of 2017, I wanted to gamble on myself and pursue a long life dream of mine. In the middle of my college studies in France, it was getting complicated to both get my academic degree and keep diving at the same time. That is why I decided I wanted to go to the United States and enroll in college there.

Unlike in France, American schools are not free, you need to pay thousands of dollars in order to get your college degree. However, athletic scholarships are a good financial resource as sports are valued in the states. My hunt for one began when I realized that.

Here is how I pulled the plug, moved across the pond and started living my American Dream.

It all started with an email. I wrote this email introducing myself, listing some of my athletics accolades and what I was looking for in a swimming and diving program. For anyone who knows me, it is pretty hard for me to talk about myself, but I had to do it anyway if I wanted to fulfil this. I also made a compilation video of my dives to give an idea of my abilities. Then, I sent that email to all the coaches of schools that I found attracting both academically and athletically. After that, my fate was in their hands.

Flash forward to December 29, 2017, when I landed for the first time in my life on American soil in Chicago and it was full of surprises. First shock: thermal shock. Indeed, I left France with an average winter weather, nice and chill 35 degrees, to a freezing and windy -4 degree typical Midwest winter weather. I thought I was ready for it but no. Second shock: a size shock. Everything is bigger, so much bigger. I had a king size bed where I could get lost in, the tv was twice as big as my room at home and I was on the fifteen floor of the hotel.

First steps in the frozen streets of Chicago

Completely jetlagged, I spent New Year’s Eve on facetime with my friends from home, meaning it was officially 2018 at 5 p.m ET. I was in bed by 8.

This year was full of new beginnings and discoveries. I met my new team a couple days later and discovered the campus of my new school, Illinois State University.

Third shock: culinary shock. It was 10 a.m. on January 2 and breakfast was waiting for us at the pool. I could not take part of the first practice since I did not have completed my medical check-up but I was invited for the team breakfast. On the pool side, displayed on a diving board, I discovered a huge buffet: pancakes, eggs, bacon oatmeal, French toasts, fruit and anything you could ever imagine wanting for breakfast. There was food for probably 50 people but we were only 25 or something like that. That is when I realized how excessive Americans are for anything, and how much bigger the portions are. The extra pounds that I put on since I have been there can testify for it.

From that day, everything happened super fast as we left for a one-week training trip in Florida the next day. It was amazing and a wonderful way to get to know all of my teammates that will eventually become family. Our schedule included practice, beach time, tanning sessions, more beach time and food. Could have been worse right?

Pictures from Florida

It really was easy for me to fit in and the girls were very welcoming.

Americans do have something for French people, it is crazy. I still cannot wrap my head around it and understand what it is but my French accent helped me a lot. When I would be on the phone with my parents, I could be saying anything they would love it. That is how I got my nickname “Frenchie” and I’m okay with it because I am pretty proud to be French.

In three and a half years, I have got the chance to visit 9 states (I wish I could have visited more but I’m actually not on vacation here). I have represented my school and my team to the best of my abilities across the Midwest. I have celebrated Thanksgiving like a true American, I went to football, baseball and basketball games and I even went to a Taylor Swift concert. I am a huge fan of her.

I’m hoping to have time to do even more in the next months. Can't wait to go to Colorado in April!! However, the pandemic is making it rough but we will see how it evolves.

So yes, the United States are about excessive things, fast food and controversial politics. Most of the clichés people can imagine have been confirmed since I moved here. But it is also so much more. It is nice and welcoming people, genuinely willing to help you with anything and at any time. Always smiling and ready to celebrate. I will never complain about that. It is also beautiful places and a different culture.

Today, I can say that I am living my American Dream. I am studying something that I love, I can dive while doing it, I have a second family here. Everyone has their own definition of the American Dream. For me, it simply means being happy with who I am and what I do while speaking English and eating a bit too many burgers. I am blessed and grateful for this experience.

Some photos from the past 3 years.