When Wembley Is Your Classroom

Students learn about the business of football during an academic seminar trip to England

Japan. Paris. Vietnam. Mexico. England. Those were just a few of the destinations that Suffolk University students visited during spring break this year. They aren’t typical tourist trips—many of the places are anchored in actual courses. For example, students traveling to Japan studied global branding. Students in Vietnam learned about business innovation. And the students in England—many of whom are sports management majors—learned about the business of football (aka soccer).

Follow along as Abby Scudder, Class of 2026, takes us through her busy week across the pond.
Suffolk students in London with Westminster Abbey and a traditional red phone box behind them
Day 1: "We immersed ourselves in the city’s rich history by touring iconic landmarks like Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. Fun fact: Westminster Abbey has hosted royal coronations since 1066, so we were walking through nearly a thousand years of British history."
Suffolk students and professors in the stands at a Queens Park Rangers game
Day 2: "More cultural exploration around London Bridge before ending with our first football match of the week at Queens Park Rangers Football Club. Football clubs are deeply rooted in their communities, and seeing the passion of both fanbases made that impossible to miss." (Pictured lower middle: Professor Skip Perham, director of the sports management program, and Marketing Professor Müjde Yuksel.)
Suffolk students wearing scarves at Queens Park Rangers office in London
Day 3: "Today we returned to Queens Park Rangers, where we spoke with four club representatives, including a fellow student and a marketing executive, and learned more about the organization’s inner workings. Hearing directly from professionals gave us valuable insight into how football clubs operate both on and off the pitch."
Suffolk students on the pitch at Fulham Football Club in London
Day 4: "Today was a learning-heavy day as we toured Leyton Orient and Fulham (London’s oldest football club) and spoke with executives from both clubs. One story that really stood out to me was learning that when Fulham was at risk of leaving its historic home, a fan stepped in to help preserve the club’s place in the community, showing just how deeply football is connected to local identity in England."
Bridge of Sighs at Oxford University
Day 5: "Another cultural day today, with Stonehenge and Oxford on the itinerary. Oxford is made up of more than 30 individual colleges, which completely changed the way I thought about the university and its history."
Suffolk students visiting office of the The Team management agency
Day 6: "Another learning-heavy day today, from touring Chelsea Football Club to meeting with The Team, a major branding and creative consulting firm. The biggest takeaway for me was hearing how storytelling and personalization are key to growing soccer in the US, especially as the country looks ahead to the momentum of the World Cup."
Suffolk students in the stands of Wembley Stadium
Day 7: "Educational and exciting: We toured Wembley Stadium, attended a Suffolk University alumni reception, and visited the University Campus of Football Business affiliated with Wembley. It was fascinating to see an academic institution dedicated specifically to the business of football, showing just how influential the sport is within British culture and industry. I wonder what it would be like if we implemented that in the US?"
A professor and a student standing at a pub with the Thames River behind them
Day 8: "On our last day in London, we had time to explore by ourselves. So my professor and I headed for Notting Hill and Richmond—two neighborhoods full of charm and character, famous for their roles in the film and TV industry—before ending the trip with The Phantom of the Opera in London’s West End. It felt like the perfect final glimpse into the city’s cultural energy, and a memorable way to close out the week." (Pictured: Professor Müjde Yuksel and Abby Scudder.)

If you're a Suffolk student and interested in experiences like this, contact the Center for International Education & Study Away.

Contact

Greg Gatlin
Office of Public Affairs
617-573-8428

Ben Hall
Office of Public Affairs
617-573-8092