“The Experience of a Lifetime”

Columbia University School of Professional Studies students and faculty just had the experience of a lifetime in Madrid for spring break!

Thanks to our partnership with the Escuela Universitaria Real Madrid Universidad Europea, our students got to fully immerse themselves in the local sports business and culture. In just one week, they were taught by top industry leaders and Real Madrid executives, gaining insights and skills that will serve them well in their future careers.

The trip kicked off with a tour of the Real Madrid C.F. Training Facility led by none other than the legendary Emilio Butragueño. Our students were blown away by the team's strong values and beliefs, which have undoubtedly contributed to its incredible success.

But that was just the beginning. We also visited the Escuela Universitaria Real Madrid Universidad Europea on its Alcobendas Campus, where our students got an inside look at the Real Madrid business model from Alvaro Vitores, the director of global partnerships activation; Pedro Corrales Alvarez, the senior partnership creation manager; Daniel Porlan Bueno, sales executive; and Diego Bartolomé Fernández, creative manager. Additional insights were gleaned from Alfonso Roberes de Cominges of Arowana Sports and Juan-Carlos Focinos, the sponsorship manager at FBM (Federación de Baloncesto de Madrid).

Throughout the week, we explored some of Madrid’s most iconic sports landmarks, including the Santiago Bernabeu, Cívitas Metropolitano, Consejo Superior de Deportes, and Club de Campo Villa de Madrid. And, of course, we didn’t miss out on some thrilling sporting events, including a LaLiga match between Real Madrid C.F. and RCD Espanyol de Barcelona, the UEFA Champions League round of 16 match between Real Madrid and Liverpool Football Club, and a Euroleague Basketball game between Real Madrid and Emporio Armani Milano.

Overall, it was an unforgettable experience that our students will carry with them for a lifetime. A huge thanks to our partners at Escuela Universitaria Real Madrid Universidad Europea for making it all possible! Special thanks to Emilio Butragueño, Marisa Sáenz Bravo, Diego Gutiérrez Frías, Omar Elchichini Cidoncha, Roman Bolivar, Alfonso Roberes de Cominges, Pedro Corrales Alvarez, Alvaro Vitores, Juan-Carlos Focinos, Cynthia Zaix, and Manuel Galan.