Don't forget where you came from, but never lose sight of where you are going.
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Travel far enough and you'll find yourself.
Don't forget where you came from, but never lose sight of where you are going.
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Travel far enough and you'll find yourself.
I grew up in Albany, Oregon, a town with around 50,000 people. I was thrilled to come to the University of Oregon and be a student in the nation's best sports business program. Eugene was a step up in size and opportunity from where I grew up. I have always loved big cities and travel, but have only been to 9 states, and have never left the country. Study abroad was an opportunity that I never thought would be possible for me, both due to finances and timing. I never knew that my decision to commit to giving more of my time to the Warsaw Sports Business Club would lead me to one of the greatest experiences of my life.
Fall of 2014 I officially joined the Warsaw Sports Business Club, which was a decision that led me to some incredible things. Through my involvements in meetings, events, and workshops, I was able to connect with members of the club and with Whitney Wagoner. My academic advisor had told me that a short sports business study abroad trip was in the early stages of planning, and after feeling such a deep connection with Warsaw, I knew this was my chance to jump in with both feet.
I spent my summer interning with the Corvallis Knights baseball team, and once that ended in late August I spent the next few weeks in a whirlwind of preparation and packing. I did feel some anxiety prior to the trip, but I knew in my gut that this experience was a once-in-a-lifetime chance and it couldn't be more perfectly fit for me.
I will always remember Amsterdam as the first city I visited abroad. The beautiful canals, detailed architecture, green countryside and bicycling lifestyle are more incredible in person than could ever be shown in photos. We visited the Nike European Headquarters, took a bike tour of the city, and had class in a beautiful historic castle. I wish we could've spent more time in Amsterdam, and it will definitely be a city I stop in the next time I visit.
Frankfurt was the biggest surprise to me on the trip. I was expecting a smoggy, industrial business hub and what I got was so much greater than that. Frankfurt brought me some of the closest friends and greatest people I've ever met, my most favorite hours of "classroom time" I've had in college, wonderful Thai food, and an incredible view of the skyline that prompted us to visit the viewpoint tower twice. Frankfurt taught me that sometimes the most wonderful moments on a trip (or in life) are not the ones you expect them to be.
Munich was our third city and the first time I truly felt as though I was experiencing Germany. We visited the most beautiful little town of Straubing, the Olympic Stadium, and the headquarters and stadium of Bayern Munich. At this point in the trip I realized how much I wanted to travel the countryside in Germany, to see the castles and small towns, the places where my ancestors lived.
Berlin was our final stop and largest city. I feel like we barely touched on the vast history and stories that Berlin has to tell. We visited the Olympic Stadium, SportFive Marketing, and attended an ice hockey game. By this point in the trip, everyone had somewhat settled into a routine and everyday things felt more normal. I imagine the jet lag being gone and being completely adjusted to the time difference was also helpful. After two weeks, we said goodbye to Berlin, to Europe, and my first time abroad and headed home.
September 28 • Thoughts
It's funny the way travel can change you. Not in the way that you lose who you are or what you stand for, but more in the way that you see things. Coming back to the U.S. was comforting because it was home, but it was also a big change in perspective. Putting myself outside my comfort zone and visiting places I'd never been with people I didn't know well was the riskiest and most wonderful thing that I've done. My gut feeling about this trip was 100% right and I've learned to trust that feeling in all decisions in life. There's going to be a lot of uncertainty and changes in my life, but a little faith can lead you to things you never thought possible.
October 30 • Thoughts
Seeing the power that sport has around the world has reignited the fire in me that sport has always driven. Whether it was the Dutch cyclists union in Amsterdam or the avid "football" fans watching Bayern Munich on televisions on the sidewalk, sport has the power to bring people together. It transcends languages, politics, borders, and all other ways in which people are separated. Passion for sport lives in the hearts of people around the world, and I look forward to working in the industry that connects them through incredible experiences.
