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Experiential Education at UNH
When the World is Your Classroom

Roehampton Diaries:
A Missive from the United Kingdom
From a Student Involved in the Freshman Study Abroad Program

Dan Mattera ‘11

When I’m asked why I wanted to come to England, I mindlessly talk about broadening my perspective and learning things from a different angle, but in reality there was only one reason for my desire to study in the U.K.: sports.

Being a Sport Management major requires exceptional passion for sports and the culture surrounding it, of which I have an abundance, so coming to another country and experiencing their sports culture was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.

I come from the small town of South Kingstown in Rhode Island, where sports are branded into you from the moment you can hold up a baseball mitt, which is usually before you can walk. Everyone in America has heard of the stereotypical English hooligans who, according to us, show up to matches with the sole intent to beat the living daylights out of someone. Obviously this is not the case. Though I think there is much more sports-related violence and animosity in the U.K. than in the U.S., the majority of the sports culture is positive. When I first arrived in England, my first impression of the sports culture, namely football (or “soccer”), was much different than what I’d imagined.

I had envisioned a country full of passionate supporters who, if you showed support for a rival club, would have some sort of automatic distaste for you. But in fact, it is quite different. The vast majority of football fans here enjoy rivalries and love to talk to anyone, regardless of whom they support. When wearing the jersey of the club I support, Arsenal, I’ve enjoyed a handful of memorable incidences.

One evening, after Arsenal had won a few hours earlier, I was walking down the sidewalk. Someone rolled down a window and started cheering for Arsenal. This sparked other nearby supporters to do the same, clapping, yelling, and waving hats around.

Sports here are not just games or pastimes, but traditions. Many people I’ve talked to love to recollect times spent watching football and eating Yorkshire pudding at home on a Sunday afternoon. Even if someone’s club is in the bottom of the table, they will still wear their jersey as proudly as if they’d just won the league. Fans here enjoy supporting their teams. So if you are a football fan yourself and you ever find yourself in England, remember, it’s all about having a good time with friends and enjoying the incredible experience of English football.