If someone had told me two months ago that I’d be where I am now, I wouldn’t have believed them. These past two months have been intense, inspiring, and full of growth. I’m excited to share some of what I’ve learned so far and some of my experiences.
On October 21, 2025, I had the opportunity to visit COPE, one of Spain’s largest sports radio networks, on a Champions League night. With FC Barcelona facing Olympiakos Piraeus, we were able to experience firsthand how a live radio commentary show operates in real time. The visit was led by Arancha Rodríguez, a lecturer at Universidad Europea and one of Spain’s most respected sports journalists. In addition to her academic role, she works as a radio producer and reporter at COPE, an analyst for Real Madrid TV, and a commentator for Real Madrid Femenino.
On October 25, 2025, I attended my fifth press conference and training session at Ciudad Real Madrid. This press conference featured head coach Xabi Alonso and was held in preparation for the El Clásico game on October 26, 2025, between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
New continent unlocked!!
With a lighter schedule at the time, my roommate Laura and I took the opportunity to travel to Africa for the first time, visiting Tangier, Morocco, from October 30 to November 2, 2025. I was so excited to visit here as it has always been a bucket list place of mine. Moroccan culture places a strong emphasis on generosity and hospitality, often expressed through shared meals and mint tea rituals, which we experienced the night we arrived. I was blown away by this country and its art. I am so grateful to travel and explore new places in the world.
Below are some pictures I wanted to share of my favourite memories of this trip:
On November 3, 2025, I attended training for Real Madrid’s Champions League match against Liverpool on November 4, 2025. The press conference was held in Liverpool, United Kingdom, when the team arrived later that day.
On November 16, 2025, one of my classmates, Rory, and I were lucky enough to score tickets to the first NFL game in Spain, where the Miami Dolphins faced the Washington Commanders at the Bernabéu Stadium.
As someone who had never experienced an NFL game live before, I felt especially grateful to be part of such a unique and historic occasion.
From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere felt completely different from the football matches the stadium is usually known for. Instead of one dominant home crowd, the stands were filled with a mix of jerseys, colours, and accents from all over the world, creating a more festive and curious energy. Fans were just as excited to experience American football itself as they were to support a specific team, which made the crowd feel more unified and celebratory.
The entertainment-focused nature of the NFL was especially noticeable. Frequent breaks in play were filled with music, fan interactions, and visuals on the big screens, something rarely seen during traditional football matches, where the focus remains almost entirely on the pitch. This difference was most evident during halftime, when Daddy Yankee performed, turning the stadium into more of a concert venue than a sports arena. The combination of sport and spectacle created a unique atmosphere that contrasted sharply with the intense, continuous energy of football games, making the experience feel less tense and more like a global event built around entertainment and culture as much as competition.
The Miami Dolphins won 16-13.
On November 20, 2025, I attended the match-up of Real Madrid basketball vs Žalgiris. During this game, classmate John and I worked on a practical assignment with Jorge Pérez, who is the press officer of the Real Madrid basketball team. We were set as the TV crew and had to create two videos for our assignment, which included a game video summary and an MVP video. During the match and warm-up, we recorded what we thought would be useful towards it and how we could make it in our own creative way. John showed me how to work Premiere Pro in order to edit our work.
Although I am not allowed to share the videos we created due to copyright, here are some pictures from this experience. This assignment was very different from anything I have ever done before, but I am grateful to have this opportunity, learn how to use the professional video camera we had, and practice how video editing works.
On November 22, 2025, I attended my sixth training and press conference with Real Madrid. This press conference included head coach Xabi Alonso and was for the La Liga game of Real Madrid vs. Elche on November 23, 2025.
On November 29, 2025, my classmates and I had a photography class at the match of Real Madrid Castilla vs Barakaldo, taught by Paul Hanna. I was so excited to be here and photograph another match after my first one on November 11, 2025.
I shared the camera we were given, which is the beautiful Canon EOS R6 Mark II from the university, with my classmates Anouk and Stefan. I would have loved to share my pictures here, but I am unsure which photos were taken by me to post here.
Here are some I took from my phone, though!
These past two months have been a reminder that sport is more than results and scorelines — it’s culture, people, pressure, and passion, all unfolding in real time. I’m grateful for every opportunity, every lesson, and every late night spent learning. This journey is far from finished.
I’ll see you in December.