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Historical buildings in Athens, Greece.

The Business of the Olympics program in Italy and Greece is an advanced Sports Administration course designed to explore the complex and dynamic commercial ecosystem surrounding the world’s most prominent sporting event.

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Location

Florence, Italy; Milan, Italy; Athens, Greece

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Term

Spring Break

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Housing

Hostel

Program Highlights

Through a multidisciplinary lens, the course examines the historical evolution, governance structure, economic models, and strategic operations that drive the modern Olympic Movement. You will engage directly with industry practitioners, participate in experiential projects, and analyze real-world case studies related to Olympic planning, marketing, finance, and operations. You will also have the opportunity to visit Olympic sites and attend a Paralympics event.

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Program Contact Information

Desiree Dube

Assistant Director, Education Abroad

Email: ddube1@kent.edu

Office Phone: 330-672-7989

Important Dates & Billing

Program Dates: Spring Break, March 5 - 15, 2026

Application Deadline: TBA

Deposit Deadline: December 12, 2025

You can pay your $1,200 deposit online here:

  • Under "Categories" select "Student Travel Deposit: College of Education, Health, and Human Services"
  • Under "Items" select "Business of the Olympics"
  • From there, you can add the item to your cart and complete the payment.

Withdrawal Deadline: TBA

Final Payment Deadline: The remainder of the program fee will be billed to your Kent State student account. The program fee deadline aligns with the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center's summer due dates. You should refer to the first Spring due date.

Application Process

You will need to complete a Kent State Education Abroad application. These quick steps will help walk you through the process.

1. Start an Education Abroad Application

When you click the "Apply Now" button (located towards the top and bottom of this page), you will be brought to the Education Abroad application system where you can view program costs and start an application. Be sure to submit your application before the deadline!

2. Guest Application (If applicable)

Are you a student at another university? To apply for a Kent State education abroad program, you will first need to apply for admission to Kent State University as a “Guest Student”. Please apply as either an “Undergraduate Guest Student” or as a “Graduate Guest Student”, depending on your course level.

Once you have applied and been accepted as a Kent State University student, you will receive an email with your FlashLine login credentials. Activate your account and then proceed to the next step, which is to apply to the Education Abroad program of your interest. You can return to this page and follow the “Apply Now” button to start that application.

You can also refer to the FAQs for Guest Students if you need further help.

3. Wait for Acceptance

Once you have submitted your study abroad program application, it will be reviewed by the faculty leader. Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis. You should hear back from us within one month.

4. Commit to the Program

If you are accepted, you need to log back into your application by going to educationabroad.kent.edu and clicking LOGIN. Once you see the name of your program, you need to click on it and commit (i.e., accept your offer of admission). 

Academics & Eligibility

Course Information

Course Name and CRN: SPAD 46095/SPAD 63195 Special Topics in Sport Administration

Number of Credit Hours: 3

KSU Sponsoring College: EHHS

Course Language of Instruction: English

Faculty Contact Information

Professor's Name: Dr. Jennifer Ray-Tomasek

Email: jtomasek@kent.edu

Phone: 330-672-3195

 

Professor's Name: Dr. Mark Lyberger

Email: mlyberge@kent.edu

Phone: 330-672-0228

Eligibility

  • 2.5 minimum GPA. 
Tentative Itinerary

This program is designed to take place over Spring Break.

Below is a tentative itinerary; however, the exact sequence and sites are subject to changes in availability and cost.

Day 1, March 5:

  • Flight departs for Florence, Italy

Day 2, March 6:

  • Arrive in Florence, Italy

Day 3, March 7:

  • Museo del Calcio in Coverciano
  • National Training Centre 

Day 4, March 8:

  • Duomo complex visit, including dome and towerbell

Day 5, March 9:

  • Travel to Milan

Day 6, March 10:

Day 7, March 11:

  • Technical visit to Viola Park (Fiorentina Football team headquarters) and football match
  • Group dinner

Day 8, March 12:

  • Travel to Athens, Greece
  • Half day Sightseeing tour including Panathenaic Stadium and Olympic Sports Centre
  • Group dinner

Day 9, March 13:

  • Visit Mycenae, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk under the Lion Gate and explore ruins with expert guide. Learn stories, myths, and legends of the ancient citadel

  • Travel to the historic seaside city of Nafplio to explore Nafplio’s Venetian fortifications and seafront

  • Enjoy lunch at a local taverna

  • Journey through Peloponnesian countryside to Olympia, stopping at a honey farm to learn about Greek honey

  • Overnight in Olympia

Day 10, March 14:

  • Tour Ancient Olympia, exploring temples, training areas, and original Olympic stadium

  • Visit Archaeological Museum (view Hermes and Dionysus statue by Praxiteles)

  • Off-road adventure in the region, included a guided walk through a gorge to see two waterfalls

  • Return Athens for some free time

  • Farewell group dinner

Day 11, March 15:

  • Flight departs for Cleveland
Location, Transportation & Housing

Florence, Italy

Located in central Italy, Florence is a highlight for all travelers. It is the capital of the region of Tuscany and contains many iconic landmarks such as the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, and the Ponte Vecchio bridge. The city is known as the birthplace of the Renaissance and is famous for its advancements in art, science, literature, architecture, and politics. Split by a river and surrounded by rolling hills, Florence offers an idyllic countryside view while also providing a bustling city life.

Located in the center of the country, Florence is just a couple of hours from Italy’s other world-renowned cities, like Rome and Venice. You can also get a taste of rural Italian life as the vineyard-covered hills of Tuscany are just miles from the city’s center.

Many people speak English in Florence, but it is not difficult to pick up the native Italian language and even try your hand at speaking it. In Florence, you can find a combination of history and culture in an urban center that is just a bus ride away from picturesque Tuscan views.

Athens, Greece

Surrounded by history and located at the confluence of Europe, Asia, and Africa, Greece offers unlimited opportunities to study and learn both inside and outside of the classroom.

Given its extraordinary artistic, intellectual and cultural heritage, Athens is richly endowed with resources for experiential learning. The museums at the Acropolis and the ancient Agora are within minutes of the Webster Athens campus facilities. This historic section of the city is known as the Plaka.

Plaka is a delightful bijou village of attractive boutiques, inviting restaurants, as well as some very cozy tavernas hugging the waterfront. Narrow streets wind by neoclassical mansions, Byzantine churches, and lively cafés. Cultural events including concerts, theater, gallery exhibits, and sporting events are an integral part of life in this bustling, cosmopolitan city.

Transportation

Included: Group flights, airport transfer to the hostels, and ground transportation for group events while in Florence, Milan, and Athens.

Not included: Transportation to and from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and local transportation during free time.

AIRPORTS

Group flight will be departing and arriving back to Cleveland (CLE).

Housing & Meals

Students will stay in a hostel. Single rooms may be available upon request and at a higher cost. If you would like to request a single room, please reach out to your faculty leader as soon as possible.

Breakfast is included at the hostel. Some additional group meals will be included.

Accessibility Information

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Whether your disability is visible or invisible, Education Abroad is committed to making educational experiences abroad possible for you. Early disclosure of personal needs and an open mind to different programs, locations, and services can help you identify the best opportunities abroad.  

Things to Consider

  • What types of physical, academic, and mental health resources and accommodations are available in my host country?
  • What types of activities does this program involve? Will there be strenuous hiking? Will we be walking long distances? Will we be carrying significant weight?
  • What is the housing like on this program? Will I be sharing a room or bathroom? Is there AC/heat?
  • What types of foods are available to me on this program? Will I be able to find meals that meet my dietary needs?
  • What types of transportation does this program use? Will I be navigating public transportation? Is public transportation accessible?
  • What is the climate like in my host country? Will there be extreme heat or cold?
  • Are my medications controlled or banned abroad? Are there regulations on traveling with my medications, service animal, etc.?
  • Are there prescriptions that I need to fill before I leave? What medications are available abroad? Is there a refrigerator to store my medication if needed?
  • How does my host country view my disability?
  • How do accessibility regulations in my host country differ from the US? (Ex.) Are ramps, elevators, tactile markings, etc. required/available?
  • Can I use my US medical devices in my host country? Is the voltage different? Will my equipment fit through a standard door (height/width) in my host country?
  • If there are overnight field trips outside of my typical housing for the program, is it possible to maintain the same housing accommodations I may require?

Resources

Student Accessibility Services

Diversity Abroad

Mobility International USA

ISEP's Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility Abroad page 

The U.S. State Department's Traveling with Disabilities page

Financial Aid & Scholarships
Health & Safety

Pre-Departure Orientation

Prior to your study abroad experience, you will participate in a mandatory pre-departure orientation hosted by the Office of Global Education. During this orientation, you will be provided with information including but not limited to:

  • international travel procedures;
  • in-country resources;
  • health and safety resources and information;
  • culture shock and resources to help prepare for living abroad.

All students are encouraged to register with the Safe Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) prior to departure.

You can also review a wide variety of resources we’ve pulled together for you on our “Before You Go” page.

Country Profile

You can learn more about your destination(s), including travel advisories, through the U.S. Department of State website.

In addition, we encourage you to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel page for information about any vaccinations you may need or health and safety tips for traveling to your destination(s).

If vaccinations or medications are needed according to the CDC, you should make arrangements for appointments with your healthcare provider or the DeWeese Health Center as soon as possible. Appointment openings at the DeWeese Health Center are limited and vaccines may need to be ordered, which takes time. Please note that not all immunizations are available at the DeWeese Health Center. 

Costs and Funding

cost affordability icon

Costs for the program will differ for every student. You can use our Cost Calculator to get an estimate of what you might expect for your program. 

We also encourage you to meet with your Education Abroad Advisor and the Financial Aid Counselor for Education Abroad to see how your aid may apply to an international program by emailing finaideducationabroad@kent.edu

Get Cost Estimate

 

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