LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 24, 2025) — The gleam of the expansive soccer stadium bleachers beneath a crystal blue South African sky may have been far from Kentucky, but University of Kentucky students who traveled there as part of a new education abroad experience say the lessons hit close to home.
Led by UK College of Education Kinesiology and Health Promotion faculty, the program, Global Sport in Africa, uses sport to explore culture and community abroad — and gives students insights they can carry back to strengthen their impact in Kentucky.
“The program is rooted in the belief that students who engage deeply with other cultures return with new tools, perspectives and networks that enhance their ability to contribute here at home,” said Kwame Agyemang, Ph.D., the George and Betty Blanda Endowed Professor in Sport Leadership and director of the Future of Sport Institute housed in the College of Education.
“In this instance, by collaborating with African sport organizations, our students learn to navigate complex and emerging sport economies, solve problems with creativity and lead with cultural intelligence,” Agyemang said. “Those skills transfer seamlessly to Kentucky, where many of our communities face challenges that require the same kind of innovative collaboration and resilient mindset.”
The program was designed to give students a global lens on sport, showing opportunity and impact beyond the scoreboard. With the expertise and guidance of program provider Immersion Africa, UK students experienced Africa’s sporting culture, sparking new ways of thinking about leadership, teamwork and Kentucky’s connection to the wider world.
The inspiration for the program came from Agyemang’s research and engagement in the ever-evolving sport industry. Watching continued globalization, particularly among U.S. sports leagues such as the NBA, NFL and Formula 1 making inroads in Africa, “I thought it would be beneficial for students to understand how sport is led, managed, and experienced outside of the Western contexts they are accustomed to in their books and lectures,” he said.
With the help of Immersion Africa, his vision came to life in stadiums, classrooms and communities in and around Cape Town, South Africa. Cheering alongside local fans, meeting with athletes and sports administrators, visiting communities and interacting with people with life experiences different from their own, students said the experience reshaped their perspectives.
The journey included a mix of cultural, academic and practical experiences, from meeting with professional soccer administrators. to exploring the impacts of nutrition on athletes and coaching strategies. Those experiences also focused on managing sports facilities, organizing sports in emerging markets. and community engagement. Students attended soccer and rugby matches, visited local communities and observed wildlife.
“As our world becomes more diverse and globalized, not to mention the rapidly changing tech landscape, the ability to embrace the unknown will become paramount. Experiences like this help to develop those characteristics in our students and set them up for success,” said sport psychology professor Ashley Samson, Ph.D., who helped to facilitate the program.
Miliana Teson, a senior pursuing a degree in sport communication, with a minor in coaching, was eager to experience sport in a new way. Growing up in the physically demanding world of competitive cheer, Teson was intrigued by the opportunity to combine her passion for sport with a curiosity about the world beyond familiar landscapes.
“Being immersed in this experience added a deep layer of learning. It challenged me to think critically about culture, society and sport in a global context while also allowing me to grow personally. Overall, this program not only expanded my academic knowledge but also gave me meaningful memories and insights that I will carry forward in both my career and life,” Teson said. “I am extremely grateful I was able to experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Deven Royal, a sophomore majoring in sport leadership, was attracted to the program because it aligned with his sports career goals and love of travel.
“After committing to go on the trip I only expected to go around to different sports venues, watch a variety of athletes and sports, and learn a little about how sports culture is different than the U.S.,” Royal said. “After the trip I was so grateful to have gotten so much more out of the trip.”
Before diving into the world of sport, the group traveled to Langa Township, where economic challenges were a stark contrast to vibrant Cape Town.
“It was the most unforgettable moment of the trip,” Royal said. “Seeing people living in such difficult situations was humbling. Being immersed in this experience can help me get outside of my comfort zone. After this trip, I’m ready to take more opportunities and try new things.”
Seeing sports organizations outside the U.S. and learning about trends, challenges and opportunities from athletes and administrators in a community far across the globe was especially impactful for Angelina Maruskin, a sport communication junior.
“Instead of just studying sport culture in class, I actually got to experience it firsthand by touring stadiums, interviewing coaches, and attending games. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me see new perspectives. I learned so much more by living it than I ever could from a textbook,” Maruskin said. For example, Maruskin was surprised at the number of empty soccer stadium bleachers during soccer matches for a South African premier team.
“This was unexpected, since stadiums in the U.S. often sell out quickly. It really showed me how sports culture varies around the world,” Maruskin said.
Global Sport in Africa is unique among the wide array of global experiences available through UK’s Education Abroad programs, noted Kate Meyer, Ed.D., associate director of Education Abroad and Exchanges.
“South Africa is a unique country and is known for how sports are a major player in its economy, cultural background and on the world-level with its teams,” Meyer said. Students who participate in education abroad experiences “return with greater independence, adaptability and global awareness, often more energized to finish their degree and plan their careers. For many, it’s a first trip outside Kentucky or the U.S., and it not only connects them with new people and perspectives but also builds communication, problem-solving and travel skills that stand out on a resume.”
Additionally, Meyer said, UK financial aid, grants and scholarship packages may be eligible for use abroad. Staff in the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships and the Office of Academic Scholarships, OSFAS@uky.edu, can answer questions and provide details about using funds abroad.
Agyemang hopes the program will grow and provide more students with valuable global experiences.
“At the Future of Sport Institute, we see ourselves as architects of sport’s future,” he said. “We don’t just play and watch sports. We immerse ourselves in the cultures, spaces and systems surrounding it. Immersing our students in the global sport ecosystem equips them to lead with purpose and a more expansive vision. That vision is vital for advancing Kentucky because it ensures that the next generation of leaders can connect our local needs to global ideas, practices and opportunities.”
The deadline to apply for the Summer 2026 program is Feb. 1. The program dates are May 12 through June 1. See more at https://ea.uky.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=13955.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It’s all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
UK students bring home new perspectives after global sport experience – UKNow
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