Personal Statement
The American Dream
I have always been interested in learning more about America. Growing up, the idea of
going to the United States, getting a top-notch education and living the American dream inspired me. Ever since my grandpa told me about his adventures in America during his exchange year back in the 60s — experiencing the classic high school culture as a student athlete, and then returning to travel on a bus to all the beautiful places around the country — I have wanted to follow in his footsteps.
In 2016, I signed up for an exchange year. When I said goodbye to my parents at the airport, it hit me; I was moving to America. I was going to the small town of Columbia Falls, Montana, to move in with a single mom, Charlene, and her son, Brandon. I got off the plane and there it was — the American West. It blew my mind. The mountains, the big sky; it was everything I imagined and more. Luckily, Brandon was a huge soccer fan like me and played soccer himself. On my first night, he took me to the soccer fields, where I immediately felt at home. It was there that I met my life-long friends, and future teammates, Paxton and Louis.
I started the season with my high school team, scored in my very first game, and continued scoring in almost every game. We made it to the playoffs where my scoring record and my play on the field earned me the nickname “The Iceman.” I was following in my grandpa’s footsteps, and it felt good. But then something changed.
My teammate and close friend Paxton became sick. At first, his illness was a mystery, but then we learned he had cancer. Paxton’s battle was difficult. He fought hard, but it was not enough. Six months into my stay in America, Paxton passed away. It was hard for all of us, but we supported each other.
Watching Paxton’s journey deeply affected me. I thought it was a challenge to balance school, my social life and sports, but to see Paxton’s strength was humbling, and it changed my outlook. I wanted to do more. I started to volunteer for my high school’s Special Olympics program, gaining an even greater perspective. The kids taught me about strength, determination and also a lot about myself, and not to let fear hold me back. So, when an American girl (my future wife) asked me to go skiing one day, I did. But that is a story for another day.
What I originally thought the American dream was turned out to be so much more. Yes, I experienced the classic high school culture and the thrill of being a student athlete. But it was the relationships, the joy, and the sadness, that changed me. When I returned home to Iceland, I was no longer the boy that went to the U.S. with vision of an American dream. I had gained life experiences that made me a man.
