From the football field to Spain: Jori Benson proves student-athletes can study abroad

KALAMAZOO, Mich.— For many Division I student-athletes, balancing practices, games, training sessions and academics leaves little room for anything else. However, Western Michigan University graduate student and football player Jori Benson discovered that studying abroad can fit into even the busiest schedules.

“WMU offers study abroad programs several times during the year, which makes international experience accessible to more students,” says Joe Milostan, director of study abroad and faculty enrichment. “Students who may be unable to spend a semester abroad because they work or are heavily engaged on campus in a student organization, or because they are a student athlete, can still participate in these experiential learning opportunities during winter break, spring break or summer.”

Originally from New York City, Benson is pursuing his MBA in Business Administration at Western while playing defensive tackle for the Broncos. He also recently participated in the Business, Culture and Sustainability in Spain study abroad program, a nine-day faculty-led experience that allowed him to explore international business practices without interfering with his athletic commitments.

"Even with the demands of Division I football, I saw studying abroad as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that's unique to the college experience," Benson says. "I wanted to step outside my comfort zone, experience a new culture and make the most of my time as a student-athlete."

Though many student-athletes assume studying abroad isn't realistic because of their schedules, Benson encourages athletes to keep an open mind and explore programs that fit their availability.

"I'd tell them not to rule it out right away," he says. "My study abroad experience was only a weeklong and took place during spring break, so it fit well with my demanding football and academic schedule. If the timing works, it's a great opportunity to gain new experiences without interfering with your responsibilities as a student-athlete."

WMU Study Abroad programming aligned perfectly his business studies, Benson says. Through company visits and hands-on learning opportunities in Spain, he gained valuable insights that will help him in the future.

"I enjoyed learning about how businesses operate in Spain, especially their approaches to sustainability and long-term environmental responsibility," he says. "It was interesting to see those concepts applied in a different cultural and business setting."

One of the most impactful aspects of the trip was immersing in Spanish culture and interacting with people from around the world, he adds.  

"Talking with people who grew up in different countries and cultures gave me a new perspective on how big the world really is," Benson says. "It made me realize how much there is to learn from other places and experiences and encouraged me to be more open-minded about perspectives beyond my own community."

"The more curious you are, the more opportunities you create for yourself to learn and develop both personally and professionally," he said.