This spring a group of Baldwin Wallace students will embark on a trip to the Mediterranean. The trip will span 16 days and include stops in Spain, Italy, and France. During this time, students will have the opportunity to explore stadiums, museums and sporting clubs. 

The group will be departing Cleveland on May 7 with their sights set on landing in Barcelona, Spain the next day. During their first week, the group is scheduled to tour Spanish soccer giants F.C. Barcelona’s stadium, Camp Nou. They will also attend a League One soccer match in Marseille, France. 

Ryan Gardner, a junior sports management student, is registered for the trip.  

“I’ve never been out of the country, so I’m looking forward to stepping out of my comfort zone and experiencing different cultures,” Gardner said. 

The trip is part of the Global Sports and Culture program being offered by the Center for Global Exploration during the Spring 2023 semester. It will feature topics in sociology and sports management with the goal of developing an appreciation for the relationship between sports and culture in cities across the Mediterranean. 

Associate professor of sociology Julie Newcamp will be leading the trip along with sport management professor Charles Campisi. She said linking sociology with sports management was an easy task.  

“For these European countries, like Spain, France and Italy, a lot of their culture is based around sports,” Newcamp said. 

The Global Sports and Culture program is one of many study abroad experiences that are offered each semester. Other trips that were offered this semester included Guatemala, Zambia and Portugal. 

Newcamp encourages students to explore the possibilities beyond the local campus.  

“The ability to explore the world and see the sights beyond their own backyard are giving them some cultural knowledge, cultural sensitivity and cultural awareness. Any study abroad is a great opportunity to explore,” Newcamp said. 

Individuals interested in any study abroad program can contact the BW Center for Global Explorations.