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Ireland 2018 (Kinesiology, Recreation, & Sport)

Status - Travel complete

College:   College of Health and Human Services
Department:   Kinesiology, Recreation, & Sport
Instructor:   Dr. Chad Witkemper, Assistant Professor,
and Dr. Matt Blaszka
Travel Dates:   Starting July 10, 2018
Program Title:   Exploring sport and their organizational perspectives and best practices in Ireland
Enroll in:   RCSM 496: Health, Recreation & Sport Perspectives
Estimated Cost per Student:   $2,700
Program Description   This experience will begin in Dublin, Ireland. Students will be exposed to sports that shape the culture of Ireland, visit new stadia, and speak with practitioners in localized sport settings. The course will consist of thematic areas related to recreation and sport practices in Ireland along with a cross-cultural experience. During their visit, students and faculty will begin the experience in Dublin, Ireland home for two major sport venues, Croke Park (Home of the Gaelic Games) and Aviva Stadium. Further, students visit County Cork discovering how sport impacts local community and how communities embrace sport. Students will be exposed to several organizational aspects of local sport organizations and travel to Limerick and Galway to visit sites and facilities where sport events occur. The entire experience will take place over roughly 14 days discovering the East, South, and West of Ireland.

The experience will go beyond understanding the scope of Sport in an international setting and will further examine how sport has grown and which industry segments have been successful. Travel and leisure activities will help students identify how sport, recreation and leisure have led to significant growth in the sport tourism industry in particular. Further students will be immersed in Gaelic culture and have potential to visit many historic sites around Ireland, such as Kilmainham Gaol, Blarney Castle, and Cliffs of Moher. These experiences provide students with a cultural experience outside of simply their discipline where they will learn about the rich history of Ireland. Students will maintain online presence in relation to their experience by utilizing social media accounts connected to KRS to post pictures and videos. It will be quite the immersive experience for students growing the scope of their knowledge in the field of sport management.