LSU Students Gain Global Perspective Through Real Madrid Study Abroad Program
September 28, 2026
BATON ROUGE, LA – For 11 LSU students, studying the business of sports didn’t stop when they left the classroom after finals week in the spring; these students spent six weeks in Madrid, Spain, participating in Study Abroad Madrid: Real Madrid UE, for an immersive experience with one of the world’s most recognized sports organizations.
Offered through Escuela Universitaria Real Madrid Universidad Europea, undergraduate students were able to take concepts covered in their coursework and see how they are applied within Real Madrid and other sport organizations in Spain. Students completed two courses for six credit hours during the seven-week experience:
Large Event and Sporting Venue Management
The course focused on the planning and management of large sporting events, including their economic, social, and sporting impact. Students also learned about the full event management process, from planning through evaluation.
Commercialization and Marketing for Sport Leisure
The course addressed a wide range of sport marketing concepts, including market research, consumer segmentation, branding, customer management, advertising, corporate communication, new technologies, and marketing planning.
During the opening week of the program, students participated in sessions and experiences with Real Madrid C.F., Universidad Europea, C.D. Leganés, Consejo Superior de Deportes, and other sport industry professionals and organizations, including:
- A session with Julien Piwowar, Head of Innovation at Real Madrid
- A venue management session at C.D. Leganés with Stadium Business Operations Director Adriana Rueda and Stadium Business Manager Gregorio Ros
- A visit to Real Madrid City hosted by Pedro Martín de Miguel, Director of External Relations at Real Madrid C.F.
- A session with Sergio Cervantes, Loyalty Program Manager at Real Madrid C.F.
- A session with Emilio Butragueño and Roberto Carlos
- A session with María Borrás, Head of Sales at Bernabéu Stadium
- A visit to Consejo Superior de Deportes
- A session with Alejandro del Toro and Miguel Ángel Fernández from Real Madrid C.F. Global Partnerships
- Real Madrid C.F. vs. Real Oviedo at Bernabéu Stadium
- Attendance at the Longines Global Champions Tour event at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid
“It was an absolute once-in-a-lifetime memory going on the first-ever study abroad
experience at Real Madrid,” Carson Real, a junior in the LSU sport administration
program, said. “The first two weeks were my favorite part of the experience because
I got to learn about a ton of different jobs that go into making Real Madrid. Learning
from all different types of departments really helped expand my horizons on what I
could truly do in sports.
“Another one of my favorite things about the trip was learning about not only Spanish
culture but about the different cultures that surround Spain. I was lucky enough to
go to Portugal, France and Morocco, as well as other cities in Spain. Going on these
trips with the friends I made while with Real Madrid is going to last a lifetime.
I still am in contact with a majority of the friends I made in Europe, and now they’re
all over the US.
“This definitely helped put my career goals into perspective. Becoming a sponge and
soaking in all the different information given to me was eye-opening and made me realize
that the world has so many doors and opportunities waiting for you; you just have
to take that first step. If anyone has any doubts about studying abroad or maybe saying
yes to an internship, I encourage you to take that first step; it will truly be life
changing.”
“My favorite experiences from the trip were all the opportunities I had to travel
and explore different places,” Shannon Larkin, a senior majoring in mass communication,
said. “Getting to experience new destinations and see different cultures was one of
the most memorable parts of the program.
“I also feel like the program helped shape my career goals by giving me the opportunity
to hear from experienced professionals and learn more about the ins and outs of working
for a sports organization. Hearing about their experiences and gaining a better understanding
of the industry helped me see what a career in sports could look like for me!”
“ They were not just studying international sport; they were experiencing it. ”
“The goal of this program was to give our students an opportunity to experience sport administration beyond what we can teach them in a traditional classroom,” Ashley Bowers, PhD, associate professor of professional practice in the LSU School of Kinesiology, said. “Being in Madrid and learning directly from professionals associated with Real Madrid allowed them to see the global sport industry from an entirely different perspective. For LSU, this partnership gives our students access to experiences and people at the highest levels of international sport. What made the experience so special was watching our students make those connections in real time. They were not just studying international sport; they were experiencing it. I came home convinced that this is an incredibly valuable opportunity for our students and one that I hope will continue to grow.