Adjusting to life 'across the pond' brought its ups, downs.
In this file photo from Aug. 24, 2009, Republican intern Bryony Parker, from Leeds, England, third from left, poses with other members of the Class of 2013, from left, Martine Turgeon of Monson, Austin Morris of Syracuse N.Y., Parker, and Jerry Katsoris, Audubon N.J. Four years ago, I opted to leave my comfort zone and family and friends behind in Leeds, England to embark on an adventure across the pond at American International College. This was by far one of the toughest decisions I have ever encountered, especially being an only child.
At the time, I was 18-years-old, desperate for freedom and independence and what could be better than obtaining a soccer scholarship for four years in the United States? My parents always thought that this was an unattainable dream of mine. Although they supported me throughout the extensive process, I do not think they ever thought this would ever become reality.
I must admit it was tremendously daunting committing to an institution I had only seen online. In addition, the head coach had only seen online video footage of my soccer ability and so I was filled with apprehension and uncertainty.
When I arrived, Springfield was not at all what I imagined. From day one, my teammates stressed the dangers of walking alone and talked about near by shootings in which they personally heard the gun shots from the dormitory. I thought to myself, what on earth am I doing here?
However, other than being chased by seven-year-old boys waving sticks at us when out for a run, I survived and have not encountered any crime problems in Springfield.
Bryony Parker Many people ask me to compare and contrast life here in America and in England. My trips back and forth have come to highlight the divergent cultures for me. My fashion sense that mixes the dressy and the sporty is frequently called into question here in the states, yet, I fit right in when I am home. It is usually my choice of footwear that receives the greatest criticism.
Friends at university back in England complain to me about the length of essays and their exams. I’ve had shorter papers and more multiple choice exams en route to my degrees.
Americans also tend to think English people personally know The Royals, and, No, I was not invited to the wedding of William and Kate.
My American soccer dream was unjustly snatched away when I suffered a dislocated patella (knee cap) during pre-season of my sophomore year. The trauma caused severe cartilage damage and this ultimately left me with two lesions. After an MRI scan, my fears were confirmed and I underwent surgery three weeks later.Arthroscopic surgeries did not relieve the pain enough for me to return to play the following year.
My determination and passion to play again kicked into overdrive and I found a doctor in Boston who had been instrumental in an innovative procedure termed Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI). After my first consultation, the doctor determined that I was an ideal candidate for the surgery. Three months later and daily calls, my insurance agreed.
The surgery was a two-part procedure. The doctor firstly extracted some of my cartilage cells and a cell company grew them in a Petri dish.
Next, I underwent an invasive open knee surgery in which the cells were injected and stitched into the damaged areas. In addition, the doctor fractured my shin bone (tibial tubercle osteotomy) to correct the maltracking in my patella.I just received clearance to run so now the hard work really begins: getting back in shape is a killer.
Throughout my four undergraduate years, there have highs and lows. My emotions have been on a rollercoaster at times as I battled with homesickness, a tremendously busy schedule, and a potentially career-ending knee injury.
Despite this, I ended up pursuing two majors and learned some life lessons, met so many people who have had a profound impact on me, and have memories that I will cherish forever.I would not change this experience for the world, but it would have been nice to have my family on this side of the pond for the journey.
Bryony Parker was an intern this spring at The Republican. She graduates this month with a bachelor’s of science degree in psychology and bachelor’s of arts in communications from American International College.
She will embark on master’s degree in the university’s clinical psychology graduate program this summer and hopes to finally lace up her soccer cleats and return to the field for the AIC Yellow Jackets in the fall.