秋葵视频

Karin Winka鈥檚 journey to college began more than 4,000 miles away from 秋葵视频鈥檚 campuses.

Winka, originally from Sweden, didn鈥檛 plan on going to college. She wasn鈥檛 sure what to expect after high school, but she did know one thing: she wasn鈥檛 ready to give up playing soccer. She had played soccer for the majority of her life, and her passion for the game was what led to an introduction with Athleticademix Ltd, a company that specializes in helping student athletes attend college in the United States.

鈥淎t first, I couldn鈥檛 see myself doing it because it would be such a huge life change to move to another country when I haven鈥檛 even lived away from my parents yet,鈥� Winka said. 鈥淓specially when I wouldn鈥檛 even be able to take a quick trip home on the weekends.鈥�

While her initial reaction was fear and uncertainty, Athleticademix worked with Winka to show her the possibilities that came with attending college in the U.S.

鈥淚 went to a showcase where they explained the process and we got to meet with college coaches,鈥� Winka said. 鈥淚 started to see the opportunity and think that this was something that I not only could do, but needed to at least try. I realized that this is the kind of opportunity that not everyone gets, especially back home. I knew if I didn鈥檛 put myself out there and try, I would regret it.鈥�

After speaking with numerous universities and coaches, Winka made her decision.

鈥淚 narrowed it down to two places but the connection I had with the coach here made me feel comfortable making the move,鈥� Winka said. 鈥淚 felt like if I was doing this, I needed to do it 100%. Georgia Southern was the best choice because it is a large university, but in a small town where so much focus is on the University and college life. I knew it was going to give me the full college experience.鈥�

Winka charged into her college experience, jumping straight into soccer practices, pre-season and conference play when she arrived.

鈥淚t was a big transition adjusting to college soccer here,鈥� Winka said. 鈥淚t was a lot more intense with so many practices and games, but also with the heat that I wasn鈥檛 used to because it was right at the end of summer.鈥�

It was her team that encouraged her through the challenges and helped her settle into her new life.

鈥淐oming in as a freshman and meeting all of the girls, they were amazing,鈥� Winka said. 鈥淭hey were a big part of me becoming more comfortable here. Coming into a team gives you connections to people who automatically have similar interests. It was nice because, coming in, you鈥檙e already part of a group.鈥�

The community not only introduced Winka to individuals from around the world, but also created a safe space for her to explore her new independence.

鈥淗aving these people around me and experiencing every day with them is something that I will take with me forever,鈥� Winka said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 such a close community, that being a part of it gave me the confidence to become more independent and grow. The people here became like family and they are what made me feel like I have a home here too.鈥�

Among her Statesboro 鈥渇amily,鈥� Winka also found a best friend. They both enrolled at Georgia Southern and began playing on the women鈥檚 soccer team in fall 2019.

鈥淚 met my closest friend here, Alejandra Gracia, in my freshman year and we became close friends early on,鈥� Winka said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 truly been the one that stuck with me through all the ups and downs. We鈥檝e shared so much together, and she has had a major impact on me and my experience here.鈥�

Winka鈥檚 family in Sweden also stood as a major support system, despite being an ocean away. While her mother was able to visit at the beginning of her freshman year, the COVID pandemic made it difficult for her family to visit after that. Her parents were finally able to come to Georgia Southern together in fall 2022 to celebrate the women鈥檚 soccer senior day with their daughter.

鈥淢y mom had been here during senior day in my freshman year and saw the families celebrating together,鈥� Winka said. 鈥淪he made a promise that she was going to be here for mine. Both of my parents were able to come and that meant everything to me.鈥�

Her time on the team and commitment to academics earned Winka placement on the 2019-20 Sun Belt Conference Academic Honor Roll, as well as spots on the 2020-21 and 2021-22 Sun Belt Conference Academic Commissioner’s Lists.

Winka will cross the stage at Allen E. Paulson Stadium on May 9 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in from the . Following commencement and a trip through the U.S. with her parents and three brothers, Winka will return to Sweden where she will play soccer professionally while also pursuing a career in public relations.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a big deal for my family to be able to come here and celebrate this major accomplishment,鈥� Winka said. 鈥淚鈥檓 graduating from college and I鈥檓 the first one in my family who has done it like this in America. It鈥檚 pretty amazing.鈥�