Skip to main content
  • New Students
  • New International Students
  • Orientation Week
  • Family & Supporters Guide
  • Transfer Student Supports
  • Bounce Back
  • Get Involved
  • Awards
  • Become a Peer Helper
  • Develop Your Leadership Skills
  • Gryphon Traditions
  • Student Life Enhancement Fund
  • Advising & Support
  • Cultural Diversity
  • Faith & Spirituality
  • Indigenous Students
  • International Students
  • LGBTQ2IA+ Students
  • Off-Campus Living
  • Students with Family Responsibilities
  • Student Leader Advising
  • Global Pre-Arrival Support Advising
  • Name Changes
  • Office of Student Accountability
  • Study Abroad
  • Study Abroad Options
  • Info Session
  • Study Abroad Advising
  • Pre-Departure Resources
  • Incoming Exchange Students
  • Exchange Partners
  • Resources for Staff & Faculty
  • Apply to Study Abroad
GryphLifeContact Us
Windmills along river in the Netherlands

Netherlands Field School: Sport Ecosystems and Global Sport Business

  1. U of G Homepage
  2. Student Experience

This Field School will take place in Amsterdam and uses an international sport market as a living laboratory, giving students the chance to examine directly how sport organizations, fan communities, and sport ecosystems operate within a different cultural and institutional context. Through site visits, guest lectures, organizational visits, and interactions with local students, professionals and community stakeholders, students will explore how cultural values, historical traditions, governance structures, and social priorities shape sport experiences and outcomes — from fan engagement and community development to governance, commercialization and social impact.

Students will be encouraged to compare these approaches with Canadian sport systems and critically examine what drives the similarities and differences across contexts. The program is delivered in partnership with Sports Travel Academy, an established international experiential learning provider specializing in educational sport industry programs, which coordinates academic site visits and industry engagement opportunities.

Tentative sites to be visited:

Amsterdam University, Amsterdam Korfball Club, Netherlands National Rowing Centre, ESPN Netherlands, Amsterdam Topsport, Johan Cruijff Arena, Anne Frank House, Guided Bycycle Tour of Amsterdam, Countryside & Windmills Tour Day

Overview

Location: Amsterdam

Term: Summer 2027

Dates (Tentative): 8 days in May 2027

Pre-departure classes: Yes

Credits: SPMT*3400 - Current Topics in Sport: Sport Ecosystems and Global Sport Business, 0.5 credits

Instructor: Dr. Katie Lebel, Department of Management

Group size: Maximum 15 students

Architecture at night in the Netherlands

Information Session

Learn more about the Sport Academy Field School at our upcoming info session.

Date: Oct 22nd, 2026
Time: Noon to 1 p.m.
Location: Lang (specific room TBA)
Virtual option: TBA

Missed the information session? Contact Dr. Katie Lebel to learn more.

Eligibility

Only Sports Management and Commerce students are eligible.

Students applying for the program must have completed a total of 7.5 undergraduate credits by the time the program begins in Summer 2027 (or permission from the instructor) and must have a 70% cumulative average.

Students should budget for the following:

  • Round-trip airfare, Toronto to destination: approximately $2,000

  • Tuition at the University of Guelph for 0.5 credits

  • Field School Fee: approximately $3600 (includes 7 nights accommodation, 14 meals, in-country transportation, all academic & tourism site visits.) Amount is subject to change based on fluctuating exchange rates.

  • Other Meals: approximately $350

  • Mandatory travel health and emergency insurance through the company GuardMe ($1.65 / day)

  • Personal expenses (souvenirs, additional personal excursions, etc.)

Looking for funding? Learn about U of G Travel Grants.

Apply to Study Abroad

To apply for Field School programs you must complete our online application. Step-by-step application instructions are outlined on our application page.

Attend a Study Abroad Information Session
Apply Now
People riding bicycles in the NetherlandsRunners in the NetherlandsIndoor mall in the Netherlands