Finding Family: International athletes discover community at Utah State Eastern

Four volleyball players, two from Poland and two from Sweden, ventured to Utah State University Eastern to further their volleyball careers and explore the states, but they each found something they feel is far better: community. 

Ella Persson is a 19-year-old libero/defensive specialist from Sweden. Clara Philipsson is a 20-year-old middle blocker also from Sweden. Emilia Zug from Poland is a 20-year-old outside hitter. Also from Poland is Agata Zwierzyńska, 19, a right-side hitter.  

After finding the team, either through agents or a direct contact with a coach, they took the opportunity to challenge themselves and to grow. Last year, they went all the way to nationals and placed No. 7. They each have seen more and more of their personal goals met and their skills developed. While living in the U.S., numerous opportunities for growth on and off the court. They have also navigated unique challenges in adapting to American culture. 

There are many cultural differences between Poland, Sweden and the U.S. Major cultural differences include religion and social norms, social interactions and transportation. 

“The biggest cultural difference coming to Utah is probably the religion,” Persson said. “Before coming here, I had never prayed in my whole life, and here we pray before every game. … Sweden is a very secularized country, and therefore that cultural difference is more tangible.”  

According to Zug, social interactions between cultures feel very different. 

“People are more open to new relationships here, and they are really nice,” Zug said.  

Persson expanded on these differences.  

“The people in the states are a lot more extroverted and will talk to you even if you don’t know them,” Persson said.  

According to Philipsson, another big difference moving to the U.S. was transportation.  

“Everyone is driving everywhere instead of taking the bus, train, a bike or walking,” Philipsson said.  

With a big move like this one, the team members opened up about feelings of homesickness.  

“Something that I also struggled with later in the last season was not being able to talk to my parents on the phone after home games when all of our teammates’ parents were there to support them,” Zug said.  

Time zones, busy lives and sleep schedules often come between their communication with their people back home. The players, although being away from home, find ways to stay connected to their Polish or Swedish cultures.  

“I talk to my friends and parents every day. … In Sweden, we’re also Christians, so we celebrate Christmas, Halloween and Easter, just like a lot of people here. We don’t have Thanksgiving though, but I really like it. … I really don’t miss anything important,” Persson said.  

There are many factors of culture that can be shared, like holidays, music, food and language.  

“I usually listen to Swedish music. … I also cook food and have been baking different traditional dishes with friends here, so I’m trying … to bring in the things I like in our culture and then teach others about it,” Philipsson said.  

Each girl has their own way of keeping home close to their heart and of sharing that piece of home with their fellow teammates and growing their community.  

According to the players, this team thrives on community and their support of each other. They have been able to lean on their team for support and love throughout the good and the hard times.  

“If it weren’t for my team, I think I would’ve gone home last year, but I’m so grateful I didn’t,” Persson said. Philipsson described her team as a “second family.”  

According to the players, the team has learned about Sweden and Poland from these four, and they have returned the education.  

“My team helped me a lot. Thanks to them, I was able to see a lot of American things — see many beautiful places in Utah. They also helped me cope with my homesickness by talking and spending time together,” Zwierzyńska said. 

Each of these players are in their second year at USUE and said their growth individually and as a team shows in every match. According to the players, the cultural differences that once felt overwhelming have become bridges rather than barriers — bridges connecting their team to new perspectives, traditions and languages.  

“I just love the girls, and I would do anything for them, and they would do anything for me,” Persson said.