Experiential Learning Opportunities Inspire UC Sport Administration Fulbright Winner

University of Cincinnati Senior Sarah Hulsman is the recipient of a 2015-16 Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to South Korea, one of only five students at UC to receive a nationally competitive Fulbright award this year. Hulsman is a Cincinnatus Scholarship recipient who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in sport administration and minor in business this May.  

Sarah credits the Sport Administration program’s many experiential learning opportunities as her inspiration for applying for the Fulbright. In 2013, she participated in a study abroad trip to South Korea through the Sport Administration Program.  

“Prior to the study abroad trip, my understanding of the sport industry was limited to the United States.,” said Hulsman. “During the trip to South Korea, I was exposed to a different type of sport culture.” 

Sarah describes a defining moment of the trip while attending a baseball game in Gwanju. At the time, the Cincinnati Reds had a player from South Korea on the team. Hulsman was approached by a native Korean. He recognized the Reds logo on her hat and said “Oh! Cincinnati Reds! Go choo choo train!” 

“At that moment, I realized just how powerful sport is, it truly is an international language,” describes Hulsman. “The trip spiked my interest in pursuing a career in sport diplomacy which would allow me to utilize sport as a tool to create cross cultural connections and empower others.”  

Currently, Hulsman is completing her senior capstone internship at the United States Olympic Committee headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado. There, she works in their Paralympic Division helping to manage the partnerships with the United States Department of Veteran’s Affairs, which supports over 150 veteran athletes. Recently, Sarah had the privilege of working at the U.S. Paralympic Snowboarding Nationals in Aspen, CO.  

It is no coincidence that Hulsman chose to apply for the Fulbright Assistantship in South Korea.  In addition the 2018 Winter Olympic Games will be hosted in Pyeongchang, South Korea, and she plans to become involved with the Olympic planning committee in some capacity during her stay.  Additionally, she is quite excited to have the opportunity to teach in and learn in the South Korean educational system, named by Pearson researchers as one of the highest producing education systems in the world. She hopes to be placed in a school near the city that provided her original international inspiration. 

“I credit the UC Sport Administration program for where I am today,” said Hulsman. “Without the numerous opportunities for experiential learning, I don’t think I would have ever imagined myself at the place I am now. I have a clear picture of what I want to do with my career.” 

After completing her Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship, Sarah plans to pursue a dual master’s degree (MBA/Masters in Sport Administration) with the ultimate goal of working in the international sport industry and teaching international sport as an adjunct professor.