CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (WEAU) – Winter sports are giving international athletes a chance to pursue their dream. The Chippewa Area Ice Rink hosting a synchronized figure skating competition on Sunday, where one athlete from Finland is hitting the ice while embracing a new culture.
Embracing a new team, and for some, a new home this season with the help of a cultural exchange program, Greenheart Exchange, helping a skater from around the world hit the ice.
The local coordinator of Greenheart Exchange, Jessica Burros, explains what many students’ dreams are. “The students want to come to the United States, in order to improve their English. And in order to experience school sports that they don’t have in their country. The students come from all over the world and they just want to experience American life.” Burros said.
And one exchange student, Alisa Syvanen, is doing exactly that.
Sybanen said “I love every part of it. I love my teammates, and the place. It’s amazing, I like it.”
Syvanen is from Finland and was placed with a host family in Winona, with Burros’ help. Now in Minnesota, Syvanen can keep skating, something she’s been doing for more than a decade.
“When I saw Alisa’s profile, I really wanted her to be able to have the opportunity to be on the synchro team. I thought it’d be sad if she did a sport for 10 years and then was not able to do it for 10 whole months while she’s here.” Burros said.
Lucky for her, she was matched with a host-family, which if you ask Alisa, has been a pretty good match.
“So fun, and like I love to be a part of their family now, it’s perfect.” Syvanen said.
Now able to continue doing the sport she loves, with a new team called the ‘Big River Blades’.
“I wanted to join because my host sister was skating too, so it just worked out perfectly. It was so easy to come here, everybody was so friendly, it was just amazing. I like it so much, and every time I come to practice everybody’s so happy. I like to be on the ice, I basically can do whatever I want. It just feels great to be on the ice and just go.” she said.
Burros said “she’s also one of the strongest skaters on the team”. Which is something she carries while being away from her family.
“It’s sometimes like homesickness and stuff comes up, but then I’m super busy. So I didn’t even have much time to think about missing my family that much, and I have great friends and family here.” she said.
Alisa says she’s excited to blend American culture with her own when she goes back to Finland, and for anyone wishing to pursue a similar dream in the U.S., she says “If you’re thinking about doing an exchange here, I would say do it 100% it gives so much opportunities. And friendships, and it’s just amazing, I love it.”
The Greenheart Exchange is currently placing exchange students for next year with over 900 students coming to the U.S., finding host families throughout the nation.
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