Upon applying to the Globalizing the NFL course, I knew it combined two interests that I have wanted to pursue while my time at UF– traveling and sports media. Both of these interests, I believe, have shaped me to become who I am now. I have always had a heart to travel. In most cases, I have done so thanks to school. In high school, I traveled to Washington D.C. for journalism and New York City for cheerleading. Both experiences were memorable and life changing in my high school career, so I expected this to be even better.

As, I am sure, many people who consider studying abroad, I was very worried about the financial aspects of this course. I do not think you can truly put a price on memories, but it is a concern as a college student wanting to pursue more education after my undergraduate degree. Fast forward to the end of the trip, it was well worth it.

This was my first time abroad and it for sure met my expectations. I feel so fulfilled after this trip, but so sad that it is over. I tried to make the most of every single opportunity. Whether that be talking to a stranger at breakfast, to asking a fan about their game traditions in Germany, I asked many questions during my time in Munich. I really wanted to get a better understanding of German culture while also fulfilling my studies for this course. I loved trying new foods, especially the endless amounts of pretzels and schnitzel. I loved smiling at strangers on public transit and in Marienplatz. I was so eager to make every moment count.

Something that stood out to me while being in Munich was how fans choose the NFL team they want to root for. Typically, I choose to root for a team because of the area I live in, where my family is from, or my school. I learned that in Germany, many people just choose a team because they like a player or want to root for one that is popular there already. I thought that was interesting because the thought process varies a little bit compared to the United States. Despite being so far away from their favorite team, the fans in Munich are still as big of fans as those that live in the same state as their team. You can for sure expect to find fans decorated in their favorite jerseys, ready to cheer.

Something else I learned while abroad was how to take more thoughtful photos with a camera I was not super familiar with, in a place I am not familiar with. Photos have so much value and I felt like I was able to see that even more while here. Though some people I met may not have understood me when I was speaking, they were eager to pose for a photo and share their own traditions with me. I learned to incorporate traditional German elements like architecture and cuisine, while also trying to grasp a fan’s personality and uniqueness. Seeing how much one can connect with someone else over a photo was amazing, even despite language barriers.

This course allowed me to see first-hand the magnitude of American football in Germany. It let me see how it has grown in prestige. I feel that because the fanbase has grown so much, it really is such an honor to be an athlete in the NFL. It was captivating to see the widespread fascination with this sport and how it has intensified an ocean away. I loved meeting diehard fans who flew miles to see their team play, while also meeting people who took a short U-Bahn train from another area in Munich to watch. No matter where they came from, all fans were excited to be there and experience the NFL where it had never been played before.

Overall, this course let me balance cultural interests, like hunting for the best Bavarian pretzel or tallest castle, and sports interests, like excitedly taking photos in a larger-than-life football helmet, seamlessly in true study abroad fashion. I thought meeting NFL fans during excursions was amazing and seeing how intertwined sports and culture are, even in Germany, was inspiring. This was a wonderful and historical experience to be a part of and something I truly will never forget. I feel more confident in my abilities to report on my passions in another country or unfamiliar area and have so much hope to do it again while at UF. I am so grateful for the amazing students I traveled with and cannot wait for us to share our knowledge and memories with the University of Florida community.

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What is one thing you did in college that has influenced who you are or who you want to be as a professional today?

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZnhQ_NMcu2FwdJR56xIbNeZl2d6AGxKp/

Posted: December 5, 2022
Category: CJC in Munich