SLAM exchange program with LUNEX University connects sport education across continents
Understanding global sport trends and perspectives opens students to a world of career opportunities
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Published
ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú SLAM graduate students Allie Slaw and Emily Pritchett in Porto, Portugal, while studying abroad at LUNEX
SLAM exchange program with LUNEX University connects sport education across continents
•
Published
Few industries have gone more global than sport.
All across the world, it’s become a pleasurable pastime and professional pursuit that can unite cultures, transcend language barriers, and drive massive economic and social impact.
Given this global reach and influence, it makes perfect sense that the academic study of sport should also adopt an international focus, which is why ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University has established a new study abroad exchange program with LUNEX University of Applied Sciences in Luxembourg.
Offered through the Department of Sport ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúhip and Management (SLAM), this exchange program allows master’s degree candidates in SLAM to complete SLAM classes at LUNEX, while also gaining a much deeper understanding of European sport clubs, as well as the various international perspectives and approaches found throughout the field more broadly.
“There really isn't any aspect of sport that's not global anymore,” said Melissa Chase, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú professor and chair of SLAM. “It’s very important that students understand sport from a global perspective. We also have students who want to work internationally, so having that experience is really beneficial, and this program offers worldwide exposure.”
This worldwide exposure comes from the convergence of several factors that make this program such a rich opportunity.
First, SLAM students can take advantage of the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University Dolibois European Center (MUDEC) in Luxembourg, which is located in the heart of Europe and enhances the immersive experience of studying abroad by offering easy access to many neighboring countries such as Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, and more.
Second, classes for this program actually occur at LUNEX, which is a separate international institution that specializes in Sports and Management.
“LUNEX is very unique in that it’s a sport university,” said Fraser Carson, associate professor at LUNEX. “Students from all over the world come here. And so, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú students see a very different approach to sport — whether that's in the marketing or in the structure of events, or down to specific training processes and athlete management. And whether they go back to the U.S., or if they want to work in Europe, it helps them become more employable on both sides.”
Two SLAM graduate students, Emily Pritchett and Allie Slaw, comprise the first cohort to attend LUNEX, and both can already see the benefits of embracing this international approach.
“My absolute dream job would be working with a Formula 1 team, probably McLaren, in marketing,” Pritchett said. “My number one goal would be to move to Europe and work for a sports organization. So having this opportunity to do that, while also learning at an international university like LUNEX has been kind of life fulfilling.”
Slaw, who already has a job lined up in recruiting, does plan on working in the U.S. after graduation. Even so, her experience at LUNEX has been invaluable as well.
“Everyone here comes from different backgrounds, and just getting all those different ideas that come together in this setting is really cool,” Slaw said. “The sports that are popular here aren't necessarily popular in the U.S., so getting to see both sides, and then to compare and contrast the different theories and models we’re learning has definitely expanded my mind. It helps me think beyond borders, and it’s helping me to be able to connect with anybody.”
Finally, another exciting aspect of this program is that it’s not just a traditional study abroad.
It truly is an exchange. Therefore, while ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú has two SLAM students studying in Luxembourg, one student from LUNEX, Louis Koller from Belgium, is currently studying at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s Oxford campus.
This, in effect, means that even those SLAM students who stay in Oxford, Ohio, still benefit from the global perspectives that this new international partnership provides.
“I'm very proud that we can offer this opportunity,” Chase said. “We're a university that believes in studying abroad. It absolutely changes students’ lives. I've seen it firsthand.”
All across the world, it’s become a pleasurable pastime and professional pursuit that can unite cultures, transcend language barriers, and drive massive economic and social impact.
Given this global reach and influence, it makes perfect sense that the academic study of sport should also adopt an international focus, which is why ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University has established a new study abroad exchange program with LUNEX University of Applied Sciences in Luxembourg.
Offered through the Department of Sport ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúhip and Management (SLAM), this exchange program allows master’s degree candidates in SLAM to complete SLAM classes at LUNEX, while also gaining a much deeper understanding of European sport clubs, as well as the various international perspectives and approaches found throughout the field more broadly.
“There really isn't any aspect of sport that's not global anymore,” said Melissa Chase, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú professor and chair of SLAM. “It’s very important that students understand sport from a global perspective. We also have students who want to work internationally, so having that experience is really beneficial, and this program offers worldwide exposure.”
This worldwide exposure comes from the convergence of several factors that make this program such a rich opportunity.
First, SLAM students can take advantage of the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University Dolibois European Center (MUDEC) in Luxembourg, which is located in the heart of Europe and enhances the immersive experience of studying abroad by offering easy access to many neighboring countries such as Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, and more.
Second, classes for this program actually occur at LUNEX, which is a separate international institution that specializes in Sports and Management.
“LUNEX is very unique in that it’s a sport university,” said Fraser Carson, associate professor at LUNEX. “Students from all over the world come here. And so, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú students see a very different approach to sport — whether that's in the marketing or in the structure of events, or down to specific training processes and athlete management. And whether they go back to the U.S., or if they want to work in Europe, it helps them become more employable on both sides.”
Two SLAM graduate students, Emily Pritchett and Allie Slaw, comprise the first cohort to attend LUNEX, and both can already see the benefits of embracing this international approach.
“My absolute dream job would be working with a Formula 1 team, probably McLaren, in marketing,” Pritchett said. “My number one goal would be to move to Europe and work for a sports organization. So having this opportunity to do that, while also learning at an international university like LUNEX has been kind of life fulfilling.”
Slaw, who already has a job lined up in recruiting, does plan on working in the U.S. after graduation. Even so, her experience at LUNEX has been invaluable as well.
“Everyone here comes from different backgrounds, and just getting all those different ideas that come together in this setting is really cool,” Slaw said. “The sports that are popular here aren't necessarily popular in the U.S., so getting to see both sides, and then to compare and contrast the different theories and models we’re learning has definitely expanded my mind. It helps me think beyond borders, and it’s helping me to be able to connect with anybody.”
Finally, another exciting aspect of this program is that it’s not just a traditional study abroad.
It truly is an exchange. Therefore, while ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú has two SLAM students studying in Luxembourg, one student from LUNEX, Louis Koller from Belgium, is currently studying at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s Oxford campus.
This, in effect, means that even those SLAM students who stay in Oxford, Ohio, still benefit from the global perspectives that this new international partnership provides.
“I'm very proud that we can offer this opportunity,” Chase said. “We're a university that believes in studying abroad. It absolutely changes students’ lives. I've seen it firsthand.”
Established in 1809, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg. Interested in learning more about the Department of Sport ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúhip and Management or the e ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University Dolibois European Center? Visit their website for more information.