Samanta's #MCScotsAbroad Experience: Touring Old Trafford

By Samanta Campoverde
Program: Organizational Behavior in England & Scotland | Term: May 2025

    I’ve been a soccer fan for as long as I can remember, so when I saw that our May Term study abroad program in England included a tour of Manchester United’s stadium, I was all in. The trip was two weeks long and focused on Organizational Behavior, but getting to explore football culture in person added a whole new layer to the experience.

    The day before the stadium tour, a few of us found a local restaurant to watch a United match. Walking in, the energy hit me right away. Fans were already chanting, wearing jerseys, and completely locked into the game. Every goal, every play, every call from the ref sparked reactions all around the room. It wasn’t just about the game, it was a shared experience that brought everyone together. For me, that night made it real. I wasn’t just learning about a new culture, I was living it.

    Old Trafford itself was everything I hoped it would be and more. We got to walk through the museum, see the locker rooms, visit the press area, and stand at the edge of the field. Just being there felt surreal. I kept thinking about all the legends who had played on that pitch and all the historic moments that had happened right where I was standing.

    But beyond the excitement, I also started seeing things through a different lens. This club isn’t just about sports, it’s an organization with a strong identity, clear values, and a worldwide following. Everything from how they present themselves to how they connect with fans showed me what a powerful culture looks like in action. It’s the kind of thing we’ve talked about in class, but experiencing it first-hand made it click.

    That’s what I loved most about this trip. The learning didn’t stop when we left the classroom. Whether it was watching a match in a packed restaurant or walking through one of the most famous stadiums in the world, I was constantly making connections between what I’ve studied and what I was seeing.

    

    To anyone thinking about studying abroad, just go. Step outside your comfort zone. Follow your passions while you’re there. For me, it was football. For you, it might be something else. Either way, you’ll come back with a better understanding of the world and of yourself.