Students at The Ohio State University (OSU) are getting a global spin on sports management through an enriching study abroad program. As reported by OSU News, the College of Education and Human Ecology's European Model of Sport program is offering students insights into how sports are managed, marketed, and legislated across the pond. Brian Turner, the brain behind the course and a professor of sports management, detailed that the initiative marks the first of its kind for the sport industry major, which he said is "the largest major in the College of Education and Human Ecology."
Since its inception in 2018, the program, sitting at an intersection of academics and athletics, has ferried students to sports hotspots like Athens, Rome, and Paris. This spring's session, which occurred from May 9-19, added Munich, Prague, and Berlin to its itinerary. While on this journey designed "to expose students to other cultures, especially in regard to sport," the roughly 700 enrolled students have an opportunity to dive deep into the sports scene, witnessing firsthand the contrasts and nuances between American and European approaches. Erik Porfeli, who chairs the EHE Department of Human Sciences, shared with OSU News how the trips present a "unique opportunity for students to connect with each other and for students to connect with faculty."
Furthermore, Turner expressed the value of such global exposure in a statement obtained by OSU News. This real-world exploration extends beyond the typical classroom dynamics, evolving into an immersive learning experience. "You’re basically living and learning together for an extended period of time," Porfeli also told OSU News, emphasizing the powerful and transformative nature of these expeditions that stretch traditional learning boundaries.
Study abroad programs, like the one OSU offers, are becoming increasingly important as industries continue to globalize. They are not just about adding an international perspective to one's education but also about the personal growth that occurs when students are taken out of their comfort zones. These trips provide a "powerful experience that goes beyond just the classroom to the interpersonal nature of peer-to-peer relationships," Porfeli pointed out to OSU News, highlighting the special bond formed among students and faculty when they navigate foreign territories together.
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