Over the time I spent in RTV4930 Globalizing the NFL, I have learned and experienced unforgettable knowledge and insights that I will carry with me throughout the course of my career.

Throughout the course, I learned so much about the NFL, international reporting, and other professional skills. I learned that half of the work for writing a story is done ahead of time. Before we even landed in Germany, I had a clear idea of what I wanted to write about, the style and language I would use, and contact with the connections I needed to get it published. This made my job a lot easier, and it allowed me to have more free time while in Munich.

I also learned about the history of the NFL, and its previous efforts to internationalize itself that my classmate Caroline Enoch discussed in her article. This gave me a wider scope of the historical event I was at. One thing that interfered with my work was the excitement I had while in the city. I was so eager to explore the city with the great friends I have made through this class, it was hard to keep a strictly business mindset while on a four-day trip to one of the rowdiest events I have witnessed. Crazy fans and steins of beers were everywhere and made it a little hard to focus at times.

Getting used to this European city wasn’t too difficult. I visited Munich briefly last summer and could remember most of what the city was like. To my surprise, most German people there were fluent in English, which made it a lot easier for us to get around and order food. I would honestly say the hardest adaptation we had to make was the weather. Being born and raised in the Sunshine State, the frigid temperatures took some time to get used to. Thankfully we discussed this in class, and I was able to pack plenty of layers and coats.

Despite the hurricane and an incident with the hotel elevator, overall the mechanics of the trip worked out nicely. The public transportation was simple to understand and transported us everywhere we needed to go. The informational walking tours gave us some perspective on Munich’s history and culture. And Alicia, well she helped communicate with the bus driver at least.

My global perspective has changed dramatically. Before I went abroad last summer and took this course, I thought of Europe as a completely different world. I thought it was undeveloped and ancient. I also believed that Europeans looked down upon Americans and our country. Now after traveling to over 14 European countries and attending the first-ever American football game in Germany, my perspective has completely changed. I see how these cultures have unique traits and characteristics that make them special. I learned that we can learn from one another and celebrate the good in each other. I was surprised to see how excited European fans were for American football. This showed me that they were accepting of our culture and sports, and that we too can be accepting of theirs.  

Of all the great knowledge this course gave me, I believe the most important takeaway was the professional experience. Whether it was listening to guest speakers in the field or staff from the college, I had the opportunity to learn about the professional side of sports media and PR. I also had the opportunity to work for Randy Bennett, the head of external communications for the college. Writing this promotional piece for the college and taking over the Sports at CJC Instagram were both incredible experiences that I will be able to talk about in future job interviews.

In my field, having professional experience not only shows what you have done but also helps you learn what you can do better next time. This class provided insight that I don’t learn from my usual classes such as how to begin your career and stay relevant in the field. This class also gave me a chance to practice my writing/communicating skills on an international level. Having the ability to practice my skills and write for an international audience is a unique experience that will (hopefully) set me apart from the rest.

After completing this course, I feel much more comfortable communicating and working in a professional environment here in the U.S. and anywhere in the world.

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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?

Posted: December 5, 2022
Category: CJC in Munich