To the Place That Changed Me

delbosques
13 hours ago
4 min read

Dear WVC,

I didn’t expect to leave with so much — not just memories, but pieces of myself I found along the way. These last two years have been a full ride — messy, beautiful, overwhelming, and unforgettable. I walked in unsure of what I’d find, and I’m leaving with more than I ever expected. It's difficult to explain how a place becomes part of you, until you realize you're not the same person you were when you first showed up here.

I showed up carrying nerves, doubts, and a heavy backpack. I didn't know how or if I fit in here. Yet, the uncomfortable became the familiar little by little. I found community in places I never expected: in classrooms, on the field, in our silences, and at our loudest moments of joy. I grew, not only as a student or player, but as a person.

Media day with my country’s flag – proud to represent where I come from and everything that brought me here.

Some moments are hard to describe, but they replay like camera flashbacks: uncontrollable laughter in the late hours of the night when we were supposed to be studying, the unforgettable game when we left it all on the field, the tiny moments that grew because of the people I shared them with. I will never forget that certain feeling of realizing that I belonged to something - not because I had everything figured out, but simply because I didn't.

There were hard days too. Days where I doubted myself, days where I felt lost, and days when I wondered if I was ‘good enough’. But that is all part of it and is well worth it, right? The pressure, the questions, and those moments when you feel you should just give up... That is where growth takes place. And the people that were there for you during those times? Those are the people that stick in your mind the most.

To my teammates - you were not just people I trained and played with. You were my safety net. My motivation. Sometimes just the only reason I kept going. We weren't always perfect, but we were real, and that matters.

Freshman year: Tournament grind with my team . We fought hard, stayed together, and shared every moment.

Sophomore year: The day we beat UK, a D1 team, and proved we could compete with the best. One of the proudest moments.

To my coaches - thank you for challenging me and believing in me. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a better version of myself. You helped shape me into an athlete, but also someone who knows how to persevere in fear and pressure.

Sophomore night – an emotional game that ended in a 3-3 tie. A tough fight, but a night filled with love, support, and memories I’ll never forget.

To the professors and staff - it wasn't just a name on a roster; thank you for your patience, understanding, and encouragement. You gave me more than knowledge, you gave me confidence.

Spring break in Alabama with the international students – a trip full of laughter, bonding, and unforgettable memories.

To the international staff - thank you for being family. From the time I came to the program, you welcomed me, valued me, and supported me. I always felt that none of us had to spend the experience alone because you were always one step ahead. Whether it was answering a question, solving a problem, or just ensuring we had what we needed, you were always considering your students' best interest. Your kindness was endless, and I am sure I wasn't the only student who felt that way. You created a home for me, thousands of kilometers from where I came from, and I will always be thankful for that.

Some days were tough — like, really tough. I had doubts, felt invisible, or didn’t want to get out of bed. But, when I think back on it now, I’m thankful even for those days. They taught me how to sit with discomfort, how to keep going, how to ask for help, and that when I did ask for help, there was always someone there—a teammate, a roommate, a message arriving quietly at the right time.

WVC helped me grow — not into some perfect or finished person, but into someone who’s learning how to be ok with uncertainty. Someone who knows how to stand on their own, but also knows when to lean on others and not feel bad about it. Someone who doesn't need to figure everything out in order to keep moving forward.

I’ll miss a lot. The sound of the feet running down the pavement. The first light of morning on campus with no one else up. The fast food runs after practice. The inside jokes. The controlled chaos. The comfort. I might even miss the awkward moments that turned into memories.

To whoever is reading this and starting this process: be patient. Growth doesn't always look the way we expect. You will find your people. You will find your cadence. You will find pieces of yourself in areas that you never thought to seek and discover.

At the airport on my way to WVC – leaving home, full of nerves and hope, not knowing the journey ahead would shape me in so many ways.

To the version of me that walked in two years ago - you did it. You may have stumbled, you may have doubted, but you kept walking. I am proud of you.

WVC; thank you for the memories made. Thank you for the lessons learned. Thank you for the people who helped me get through it all. Thank you for changing me, for challenging me, and for preparing me for whatever is next. This place will always be a part of who I will be.