Nine weeks in, and the rhythm of this summer has settled into something like muscle memory. Wake up, coffee, turf talk, doors, more doors, dinner, doors again, and somewhere in between, a hundred small moments that no one could have predicted when we packed our bags back in Europe. Week 9 was no exception — it handed us fly encounters, rescued turtles, lookalikes, lemonade ambushes, and a birthday that stretched across an entire week. Sioux Falls, you keep surprising us.
Getting Braver, One Door at a Time
There’s a particular kind of courage that only shows up after you’ve knocked on your five-hundredth door. It’s quieter than the nervous energy of Week 1 — steadier, more grounded. Nine weeks of walking up unfamiliar driveways, introducing ourselves to strangers, and learning to read a “no thank you” from a “tell me more” has changed all of us in ways we’re still discovering. We’ve become more resilient, more adaptable, and honestly, closer to each other than we were even a month ago. Every rejected pitch and every long conversation on a porch step is quietly building something in us that no classroom back home ever could.
The Week’s Cast of Characters
Every week on Team 7UP produces its own small anthology of stories, and Week 9 delivered plenty.
Mari had a genuine double-take moment when she spotted a man who looked exactly like her old history teacher — same face, same presence, completely out of context in the middle of South Dakota. It’s the kind of thing that makes you stop mid-sentence.
Liisa, in the middle of her birthday week, made a discovery that might outlast the summer itself: she loves food. Not just any food — food that, in her words, “alivens” her taste buds. Ribs, specifically, made quite an impression this week.
Parvin had two stories that could not be more different in tone. First, the less glamorous one: he swallowed a fly somewhere in the middle of South Dakota and felt it linger uncomfortably for a while afterward — a reminder that not every surprise on the road is a pleasant one. But he balanced the ledger by rescuing a turtle from the middle of the street and carrying it safely to a nearby river. He also spent meaningful time meeting Native American people this week, adding new perspectives to his summer.
Michael had a week full of connection. He crossed paths with two different Polish-speaking families, which, for someone far from home, is the kind of small linguistic gift that makes a whole day better. He also met a man named Michael Scott — yes, like the character from The Office — which needs no further commentary. Along the way, he also drove past more than a few remarkably expensive houses, quietly noting just how different neighborhoods can look from one street to the next.
Gabriel spent part of his week at Tea City High School, where he met Principal David Preheim. They talked through the school district — what’s working well and where there’s room to grow — and Gabriel also showed him the Southwestern products along the way. Later in the week, in one of those “did I really just see that” moments, Gabriel spotted African cows with strikingly large horns on the side of the road. Sioux Falls really does keep you guessing.
Matthias had a week full of small, warm surprises. He met a Southwestern alumni who, out of generosity, handed him a Hy-Vee gift card. Someone even chased him down the street just to make sure he didn’t miss out on their lemonade. And he spent time with a woman who was fascinated by Estonia, peppering him with question after question about the country.
7UP Spotlight: Sizzler Sunglasses
This week’s competition was Sizzler Sunglasses, and the winners were Gabriel, Liisa, and Mari. Congratulations to all three — well earned, well deserved, and now proudly worn around the house.
A Birthday, Three Languages, One Cake
Friday was Liisa’s birthday, and the team wasn’t about to let a full day of doors get in the way of celebrating. The girls gathered for a pizza night after work — the kind of low-key, well-earned celebration that hits differently after a long day on turf.
The celebration continued into Sunday, when the team had dinner with one of our host families. There was angel cake, and there was singing — “Happy Birthday” performed in Estonian, English, and Polish, back to back to back. It’s a small thing, three languages wrapped around one cake, but it captured something bigger about this summer: seven different backgrounds, one team, one table.
Giving Back
Also this week, the team visited a senior home, bringing roses for the residents and, more importantly, bringing time — sitting, listening, and talking with people who were glad for the company. It was a good reminder that this summer isn’t only about what we’re building for ourselves. Sometimes the best part of the day isn’t a sale at all — it’s a conversation with someone who just wanted to be heard.
Looking Ahead
Nine weeks down, and the stories keep piling up faster than we can write them. Here’s to the doors still ahead of us — because this summer was never just about knocking on them. It’s about becoming braver, building friendships that will outlast this summer, giving back where we can, and collecting stories we’ll be telling for years to come.
Team 7UP
SW Eesti 