By Bennett Solomon, Journalism Senior

Bennett Solomon was one of 15 students who participated in the Globalizing American Sports study-abroad program from the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, held Nov. 1-6, 2023 in Frankfurt, Germany. To read other stories from the program, visit here.

On Nov. 1, a group of 14 students and I landed in Frankfurt, Germany, to cover the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs game. As the first regular season game ever played in Frankfurt, we were tasked with covering the environment, experience, and culture that American sports has brought over to Europe. 

A Beautiful Country

I really didn’t know what to expect when I arrived. Obviously, I had heard stories of what the NFL experience was like in Europe, but I once I got this opportunity to travel to Germany during the semester, I felt I couldn’t pass it up. Not only was the atmosphere unique, but the country itself was beautiful. As a group, we spent a day traveling to Heidelberg Castle, and it was one of my favorite days on the trip. I got to experience the unique culture that smaller cities in Europe have, and it was amazing seeing the unbelievable scenery throughout the walking tour.

When it came to the game, I was lucky enough to receive credentials for the  practice and the game. Without a doubt, it was one of the most beneficial experiences of my life. Not only did I cover a great game, but I made multiple connections that I can now utilize in the future. Reporters knew the type of season each team was having and, of course, a couple of Taylor Swift questions were asked during the Chiefs’ press conference before the game.

Passion

I quickly realized that American football is becoming more and more popular for Europeans each year. There is an immense following of American football in Europe, which is something I was surprised about. I met multiple fans with an impressive amount of knowledge about their favorite team and the sport.

Even though I did not speak German, most Germans spoke English, so it was interesting to hear about their experience with American football and the NFL. Traditional American rituals during game day were actually similar to Germans. I can definitely see the NFL only getting more popular wherever they decide to go in the world.

Posted: December 14, 2023
Category: CJC in Frankfurt, Sports, Study Abroad Projects
Tagged as: Globalizing American Sports, sports, Sports@CJC, Study Abroad, Study Abroad experience