Today a representative from our Study Abroad Office came to my intro to communication class to talk about his experiences as a student in China, Jamaica and the Czech Republic. He shared how much he had learned, how life-changing the experiences were and how he gained a new, international perspective. I saw the lightbulb go on for some of my students, but it REALLY lit up for me. I've wanted to, at some point in my career, participate in an exchange program with a university in Great Britain. I had a student from England in my sports broadcasting class a couple years ago. She came from the University of Central Lancashire where she studied sport communication and management. We talked about making an exchange happen. To date it has not.
After today's conversation, however, I have a new goal: a faculty-led study abroad opportunity to Great Britain. This would be a two- or three-week trip with some of our students in which we would talk to faculty at a British university about how they teach sport communication; tour a sport production house; visit with the staff and tour the facilities for my former student's employer, Everton Football Club; perhaps conduct a couple site surveys at historic sports venues such as Wimbledon and Wembley Stadium; and (hopefully) shadow with or assist a broadcast crew for an event or two.
This venture would require a minimum of six students, and grants and financial assistance are widely available. If we can pull this off, it will be an AMAZING opportunity for students interested in sport communication to travel and learn a new perspective on their trade. If you are interested, please comment and share your thoughts and ideas.
I've attached a link to UCM's Study Abroad Office for more information on the Study Abroad program overall: https://www.ucmo.edu/studyabroad/.
Spending time overseas will change your perspective and open your eyes to things never-before realized. Living overseas will change your life. Don't pass up an opportunity make it happen.
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