London Calling: Anika Shah Reflects on Studying Abroad in the UK

Every summer, NC State students have the opportunity to travel to London and other cities across the United Kingdom for three weeks to gain firsthand experience in sport management.

Anika Shah, a sophomore majoring in sport management at the College of Natural Resources, was among the 14 students to travel to the U.K. in the summer of 2024 as part of the United Kingdom: Sport Programs and Facilities program.

During her time in the U.K., Shah completed two courses focused on sport programming and sustainable facility management. She also engaged with numerous industry professionals and scholars.

We recently asked Shah about her experience in the U.K. — from her decision to study abroad to how it helped prepare her for a career in sport management. Check out the Q&A below.

Why did you choose to study abroad?

Studying abroad has always been a part of my plan at NC State. I grew up in a family of avid travelers and have been immersed in various cultures and foreign languages from a young age, as my parents heavily emphasized the need for global knowledge and understanding of other cultures and peoples. With this background, studying abroad in college was the logical decision. Outside of those motivations, however, I enjoyed the idea of being able to learn and explore simultaneously. When I learned about the “United Kingdom: Sport Programs and Facilities” study abroad program specifically designed for sport management majors, I knew it was an opportunity I could not pass on.

What was your favorite part of the program? 

My favorite part of the program was the emphasis on hands-on experience and learning outside of the classroom. Over the three weeks, we went to a total of six sporting events as a group. However, other than simply enjoying the games, our professors encouraged us to pay attention to the operations aspect of the matches, explore the stadiums and their layouts, and talk to other spectators. This was an incredible experience because we watched a variety of sports, including soccer, rugby and cricket.

What is a moment of your program that you will never forget? 

As an avid sports fan, watching a Premier League match has always been on my bucket list. The Crystal Palace versus Aston Villa match was absolutely electric. Walking to the stadium, you could hear the fans cheering and singing for minutes before the entrance gates were even in your view. Inside the stadium, every single fan was standing for the entire 90 minutes. Although I had never been a diehard soccer fan, this was by far the most exciting game we attended. Crystal Palace swept Aston Villa, 5-0, and with each goal, the crowd erupted louder than the last. This was by far the most exciting game we attended, in my opinion. 

What did you learn about yourself through this program?

With the number of participants being on the smaller side of the scale, I found myself spending more time in smaller groups with three or four of my peers at a time. During our free time, we would explore the location we were in for the day or wander around London. These experiences showed me how comfortable I was in unfamiliar environments. While some of my peers were overwhelmed by the public transportation system, I was able to quickly adapt and navigate the city with little difficulty. Furthermore, I learned that I was more open to trying new experiences. My friends and I frequented Borough Market, a large outdoor food market that features food vendors from all over the world. I loved tasting all the food from different stands, and it was all delicious.

Were you surprised by anything during your time abroad? 

One element of sporting events in the U.K. that surprised me was the minimalistic approach to bag and individual security. Contrary to what we are used to in the United States, the U.K. conducts brief bag searches consisting of nothing more than a short glance inside the bag, occasionally shifting around one or two items. This raised my interest since these sporting events host tens of thousands of fans, so one would presume that thorough security measures would be a necessity. With this being said, it is important to recognize that the main priority of security at these events is efficiency, as not to hold up a queue of fans for too long. Additionally, it is possible that these stadiums do not have the space or infrastructure to house the security equipment necessary for sufficient individual security checks, like the metal detectors and bag scanners that we are accustomed to in the U.S.

What new skills or information did you learn during your program? 

My main takeaway was how many people it takes to manage a sports facility. During a trip to the Kia Oval, we spoke with Emily Iveson-Pritchard, head of sustainability for the Surrey County Cricket Club. I learned from that even though they have 192 full-time employees, over 1,000 part-time workers are needed on match days. Similarly, the Saracens Rugby Club have the Saracens’ Pioneers, who are volunteers that assist with match day operations at StoneX Stadium. Additionally, at Saracens we honed in on the hospitality aspect of match days. Hospitality options are tailored to each fan, which means preparations begin as early as two weeks before the actual match day. All of these workers, from full-time employees to volunteers, all have the singular goal of creating the ultimate experience for spectators.

We also learned about and witnessed how integrated many sports facilities are with their community. Craven Cottage and The Kia Oval are both in the heart of their respective towns, which is different from many stadiums in the U.S. More specifically, the Surrey County Cricket Club is so integrated into their community that they bought and operate a nearby hotel to give visiting fans a convenient place to stay while they attend matches. Some sports clubs even offer free public transportation vouchers with the purchase of a ticket to their match. This not only cut down carbon emissions by reducing the amount of cars on the roads, but it also enticed spectators to enjoy the goods and services from local businesses both before and after the match.

How did your study abroad experience prepare you for your future career?

The sport industry is rapidly expanding, and not just in the U.S. This program introduced me to the sports structure in the U.K. and the different aspects of their culture that make it unique. In the future, my career could take me to a variety of countries as international sports grow and expand. It is important for me to understand how different cultures value and appreciate sports. From the sustainability aspect of the program, environmental protection is a cause that spans across all sports and industries. No matter what career I pursue in the future, knowledge of sustainability is invaluable as we continue to work towards solving the environmental crisis on our hands. 

What advice would you give to students considering studying abroad for the first time?

I encourage all students to consider studying abroad. It is such a unique opportunity that you will most likely only get at this point in your life. You are able to explore the world but also advance your education in a way that could not be possible in Raleigh. Not only will you be immersed in a new environment, but you will get to meet new people. I would highly recommend to anyone that is considering studying abroad to apply. NC State offers a variety of programs for any major, and even if your specialty is not offered, there are countless other programs that offer classes that meet the general education requirements. Take a chance and seize this opportunity, you will not regret it.