Seeking the American dream

My story begins in April 2018, when my father Juan Abellán (Commercial Delegate of Security in Gerona) received an email from the Foundation that offered children of employees of the company the possibility of obtaining a scholarship to study a career in the USA, while practicing a sport at university level.

When I heard about this opportunity - offered by the Foundation in alliance with the company Talento y Deporte - I didn't think twice and decided to start my way! First, I had to provide the documentation (academic grades, English exams, videos of my sports performance, etc.) and take all the necessary steps with the universities to obtain the scholarship. And although it was all very fast, I do not regret my decision.

The first steps were quite simple, guided by the motivation and inertia to start this adventure. I submitted my application and after receiving offers with grants to study at different universities, it was time to make a final decision. And that's when the mixed feelings began. At no time I had doubts, nor fear, but always a little homesick, even before leaving. Especially during the emotional farewell of my parents and my sister at the airport. And with this joy and sorrow intertwined, I made my way to the gate and departed for my first destination: William Baptist University in Arkansas.

A small campus located in a very remote village. The first month was the hardest, as I had to adapt to a completely new way of life: customs, language, schedules, friends, etc. But the days went by and I felt more and more comfortable there, combining my studies with my passion. With the soccer team we built a small family. We were Spaniards, Germans, Italians, Mexicans, Brazilians, Ecuadorians and Americans, and we all learned from each other! The two seasons were great, both collectively and individually. We broke a lot of records and had some great seasons.

But after two years of running, I felt that this was not the place for me to finish my studies. I am a worldly boy and I had not yet practically moved out of the state. And so, I decided to transfer to another university. Months after negotiating and talking to coaches elsewhere in the United States, I headed to Felician University in New Jersey. But not before saying goodbye to my “new family” and leaving happy to have made friends around the world.

The next two years were very different from the first two, neither better nor worse: just different. I decided on Felician University because I wanted to move to a big city, and this university was a 20-minute bus ride from Times Square in New York. The campus was bigger than Arkansas and therefore not as familiar, but I still met a lot of people from all over the world.

I arrived there the first year in the middle of the pandemic and didn't get to enjoy it much, but the second year, and the last of my experience, counted for two. In just one year I got to see all of New York and was able to travel to Florida, California, Washington DC, and even did a mini tour of Canada.

In terms of soccer, the league was at a higher level than at my previous university and we managed to qualify for the play-offs, something that had not happened for 10 years. So it was a satisfying time.

Without a doubt, the overall experience has been spectacular. The classes in the first years are adapted to your rhythm and the professors help you a lot, taking into account that you are an international student who combines his studies with university sports.

The language is understood almost perfectly within a few months and communication becomes much easier after a while.  Friends, family, a university degree, trips to incredible places, and much more, is just a summary of all that one can take away from this experience.