The World Cup

We all have those experiences in our lives that forever make an impact on us. For me, one of these events was studying in Norway at the International Summer School in Oslo after my junior year of college.  This was my first trip abroad - just having turned 21. And I was scared out of my mind - how would I ever make it from the airport to the school? How would I meet any friends? Would I have a good time? There were over 500 students from over 80 different countries -- and, although I really don't remember anything from the two courses I took, my view of the world and my life was forever altered by my experience.

And every four years, I am reminded of my wonderful experience thanks to the World Cup. When I was in Norway, I had never even heard of the World Cup. And even more embarrassing, it was being held in the United States. I remember watching one US match and although we lost, so many students told me how much better the US was getting. We were no longer horrible. I remember the British reporter holding an American football up to several people and asking them was it was. When they replied "football", everyone in the pub was having a good laugh. And, of course, I remember watching the final match crammed in the campus pub with people from around the globe intently watching the match. I can still see one of the students from Italy surrounded by supporters and leaving the pub crying after her team was defeated. It was an amazing experience to see so many people from such diverse backgrounds all gathered together in the joy of sport.  I felt like such an outsider having never even heard of the World Cup, and yet such a part of it as well.  It was impossible to not get swept up in the entire thing.

Although I have never had the same World Cup experience since then and don't watch soccer outside of the World Cup, I'm looking forward to the 2010 version (this will be the first real time I am bummed that we don't have our satellite dish and ESPN). I look forward to introducing my eldest son to the tournament and some geography lessons along the way. Are children allowed at sports bars in the morning????? Ha!