UCFB Student Reflects on Two-Week Experience with Villarreal CF in Spain

International experiences provide UCFB students with the opportunity to develop industry knowledge, broaden their cultural understanding and gain valuable insight into football beyond the UK.

Recently, Olivia Wall a BA (Hons) Sports Business and Sports Law student at UCFB, travelled to Spain for a two-week experience combining cultural immersion in Valencia with a unique internship opportunity at Villarreal CF. From exploring Spanish football culture to gaining an insight into one of LaLiga’s most established clubs, the trip offered valuable opportunities for both personal and professional development.

Here’s what they had to say about their experience.

My Two Weeks in Valencia and Villarreal

Our two weeks in Valencia began with a warm welcome from our host families, allowing us to experience Spanish culture from a local perspective, try new foods, practise our Spanish and experience everyday life in the city.

The induction day began with a welcome from Euroace, followed by a walking tour of Valencia, visiting some of the city’s main squares and landmarks, helping us to get our bearings and feel at home. This was followed by a visit to the City of Arts and Sciences and a trip to the beach.

On the third day, our internship with Villarreal CF began. We travelled by train to Villarreal, where we were given a tour of both the stadium and the club’s training ground, as well as visiting the club shop, where many of us bought the iconic yellow Villarreal shirts.

The following day, we learnt more about the history of Villarreal CF through research and a presentation before taking an external tour of the club’s unique stadium set-up.

Day five saw us begin our individual project assignments. This gave us the opportunity to research areas of the club that interested us and develop our understanding of professional football within Spain and LaLiga. The day ended with a traditional tapas dinner, allowing us to experience various traditional Spanish dishes together.

Experiencing Spanish Football First-Hand

The weekend provided the chance to experience Spanish football first-hand. We watched Villarreal face Deportivo in an exciting 4-3 match before spending Sunday sightseeing around Valencia. Some of us also attended Valencia CF’s match against Barcelona at the iconic Mestalla Stadium, which finished 5-0.

Experiencing football in Spain from both an academic and supporter perspective helped bring our learning to life and provided a deeper understanding of the country’s football culture.

Bringing Football Learning and Culture Together

During the second week, we continued to develop our knowledge through cultural experiences and football-related activities.

Alongside continuing our projects, we visited La Lonja, took part in insight talks and had the opportunity to watch Club Deportivo Roda’s U19 team train, bringing together the research and knowledge we had gained throughout the internship.

To finish the experience, we travelled to Gandia and visited the Palau Ducal dels Borja, giving us another opportunity to explore the history and culture of the region.

A Valuable Experience in Spain

Overall, the two weeks in Valencia and Villarreal gave us a valuable combination of professional experience, cultural learning and independence.

From working with Villarreal CF and watching professional football to living with host families and exploring Valencia, the experience allowed us to develop new skills, make lasting memories and gain a deeper understanding of Spanish culture and football.

The opportunity to experience football in a different country while immersing ourselves in local culture made the trip both rewarding and unforgettable.

Discover International Opportunities at UCFB

At UCFB, students have access to a range of experiences and exclusive access designed to expand their understanding of the global football and sports industry. From overseas study opportunities to industry-focused experiences, students can build valuable skills, broaden their networks and gain unique perspectives on the international sports landscape.

Explore how UCFB can help turn your passion into your career by downloading our latest prospectus.