Malte Alm: From Sweden to Southwest Virginia
Photos provided by burams.com.
Transitioning to college can be difficult, but speaking a different language and adjusting to a new culture brings added challenges. That’s what freshman Malte Alm had to do coming from another continent 4,277 miles away on a 10-hour flight to attend Bluefield University.
Alm is from a small town outside of Helsingborg, Sweden, called Rydebäk. He attended three different schools for his secondary education in Sweden, playing soccer for most of that time. Soccer, he said, is a big sport in Sweden. He actually started playing soccer at the age of four.
“Soccer has helped shaped me into the person I am today,” Alm said. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
As part of his education in Sweden, he started learning English when he was 11 years old, which he acknowledges has helped him in his transition to America, which he said began in the summer of 2002 when a soccer agent told him he might have a chance to play college soccer in the U.S.
“I got contacted by a soccer agent that said I might have a chance to go to college,” Alm said. “A little later that summer I traveled to the U.S. for a vacation, and I really liked it. So, I decided to come here to play soccer and study accounting.”
Recruited by BU head men’s soccer coach Gabe Blakman, Alm came to Bluefield to study business administration and accounting and to play soccer for the Rams. He said that the transition has been challenging, but for the most part enjoyable.
”My experience at Bluefield so far has been great,” Alm said. “I made a lot of new friends from around the world, and I’m enjoying my time here. There’s a lot of differences here. For example, the food, weather, and the people.”
Blakman said he has seen Alm grow since coming to BU. He said he is a “very coachable player” who is always looking to improve.
“That is what makes him who he is, not just as an athlete, but as a person,” Blakman said. “Malte understands that coming to the United States to be a student-athlete is a big sacrifice that he had to make for his future. Thus, academics is a big part of that. I have never had an issue with Malte’s academics, and I do not foresee having it during his time at BU. He’s a good influence student and teammate.”
Blakman added that Alm has a great personality and is very respectful.
“He is always willing to help and be there for any of his friends,” Blakman said. “Regardless of what might happen during a game or practice, he is always friendly and willing to work hard at any time.”
He said Alm is the perfect example of the type of student-athlete he wants to represent the soccer team.
“Coachable, friendly, and great people from top to bottom,” Blakman said. “We are headed toward that path with him on our team.”
