Transfers: When Things Don’t Go to Plan

During my freshman year, my head coach left in the middle of the season. As an international swimmer, with limited English and very little understanding of the NCAA system, I had no idea what to do. I was far from home, confused, and suddenly part of a program that felt completely unstable. Still, I made the decision to transfer because I knew I wanted to continue growing in a better swimming environment.

One of the biggest lessons I learned from my college experience is the importance of staying open-minded and believing that there is always a solution, even when things don’t go as planned.

Not even a year into my first college season, our coach told us he would no longer coach the team for the rest of the year. We went into our main meet of the season, Conference, with only one assistant coach and more than 20 swimmers on the roster. It was chaos. Looking back now, I see it as a powerful learning experience on how to adapt when circumstances change.

At that time, I didn’t even know what a “transfer” was.

For international swimmers, transferring can feel overwhelming, but it is absolutely possible. The process usually starts by entering the NCAA Transfer Portal, which allows other coaches to contact you. You must also communicate with your current school to understand eligibility, credits, and visa implications. Timing matters, and having guidance is key.

Transfers are not failures.

Sometimes, they are simply the next step toward finding the right fit.