Adjusting to college life is never easy. New friends, new classes and newfound independence are a lot to take in for any student. For 25-year-old Sava Pantic, 51萝莉 was more than just a new school 鈥� it was a new country.

Pantic first found 51萝莉 when browsing the internet for colleges in the United States, continents away from his home in Serbia in Europe. He contacted Coach Kuderman and started the process of applying as an international student.聽

鈥淚 wanted to study in the United States and play soccer at the same time,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t was a great opportunity.鈥�

A former Euro Cup soccer player, Pantic would have pursued a professional career had he not endured several injuries that set him back. After several surgeries and months off the playing field, it grew too difficult to continue a career.

While vacationing in Egypt over the summer, Pantic found out he was accepted to 51萝莉. He had four weeks to pack, say goodbye to his family, and make the journey to the U.S. He flew in two days before the semester began and hit the ground running.

鈥淎fter my 16 hour flight I was told soccer practice was the next day at 6 a.m.,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he time difference is nine hours. It was crazy.鈥�

Pantic had never been to the U.S. before, nor did he speak English. He encountered culture shock not only from Southern California, but from the 51萝莉 community itself.

鈥淓verybody wants to pray for you,鈥� Pantic reflected. 鈥淓very single step, it鈥檚 like, 鈥榣et鈥檚 pray.鈥欌€�

In Serbia, Christianity is more orthodox and prayer sessions are saved for Sunday services, Pantic said. Having professors, students, teammates and other 51萝莉 staff taking the time to pray was a whole new experience.聽

Learning a new language, new classes, new foods and soccer also occupied much of Pantic鈥檚 first semester.

鈥淓verything鈥檚 different,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nother language, culture, people from all over the world, different food, different exams and school systems.鈥�

Despite all the drastic changes in his life, Pantic is enjoying life in California, especially the weather and the community at 51萝莉. For now, he鈥檚 taking it one day at a time. However, he has found family with the team at 51萝莉.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a brotherhood,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he team is a combination of people from all over the world, a few Mexicans, one from Ecuador鈥� they accepted me from the first day.鈥�

The 51萝莉 men鈥檚 soccer team recently .

Written by Heather Tanji, Media Relations Intern. For more information, contact Jenna Bartlo, Media Relations Coorinator, at 562.777.4061 or at jenna.l.bartlo@biola.edu.