Stories of the World Cup: Road trip through the U.S.
Experience the 2026 World Cup through the eyes of a journalist—on the road. The Stories of the World Cup summer course takes you on a reporting-focused road trip to several host cities, where you will interview fans from all over the world and write compelling stories that capture the energy and culture of the world’s biggest sporting event. You will also explore the global/sociological impact of sports, and even take a PEA soccer class! Applications are due Dec. 10.
Students will have the opportunity to learn ways to serve the community by telling compelling stories about people and issues that matter. Through conducting interviews and writing stories, students will practice Christian values such as truthfulness and integrity while developing the ability to connect with others and gain insight from their experiences. We will also explore the ways in which movement activity, specifically global sport, intersects with faith.
This program will be of particular interest to students from Communication Studies, Kinesiology, and English. However, it is open to students from any major interested in journalism, storytelling, the sociology of movement and sports, and the intercultural dynamics facilitated by international sporting events. The program is open to students at all academic levels.
- Class standing
- GPA (minimum 2.3 GPA) and no student life sanctions
- Application essays
- Team and individual interviews
- Faculty and personal recommendations
- COM-087 Writing for the Media (cross-listed ENG-087 Introduction to Journalism, option to substitute for COM-095: Special Topics), 4 units, fulfills Writing-Intensive GE/Serves as an elective for the Communication Studies minor and Writing minor
- KNS-149 Sociology of Movement, 2 units
- PEA-059 Soccer, 1 unit, fulfills Physical Education GE
The program fee will range from approximately $7,300-$8,500*, which includes tuition, room, board, and all program-related activities. *The 2026 World Cup Final Draw will determine the group stage matchups for the 48-team tournament. We will finalize the program fee and determine the final schedule for our trip after the World Cup Draw on Dec 6.
Meet the Team
Dr. Mena earned his Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of Florida. His research has been published in Journalism, Journalism Practice, Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, Social Media + Society, Policy & Internet, and Media and Communication. As a Fulbright scholar, he earned his master's degree in Mass Communications and Journalism Studies at the University of South Florida. Before joining the Westmont faculty, he taught at the University of California Santa Barbara for four years. He worked as a professional journalist in Ecuador for around 18 years, reporting for BBC News Mundo, El Pais (Spain), and Ecuadorian media.
Professor Wolf graduated from Wheaton College with a B.A, in Communication Studies and earned a master’s degree in Education at Azusa Pacific University. He came to Westmont in 1991 to coach the men’s soccer team after six years of playing professional indoor soccer and has compiled a record of 362-177-58 (.665 ) over 32 years. He served as athletic director for 10 years while continuing to coach the men’s soccer team. His primary area of emphasis in Kinesiology is Public Speaking and Presentation, and he has also taught courses in the Psychology and Sociology of Movement. He has also collaborated with Coach Russell Smelley to develop a class investigating the impact of character development on leadership. Dave and his wife, Jill, have five children.
How to apply:
For more information about how to apply, please contact ocp@westmont.edu. For more information about the program, contact Dr. Mena at pmena@westmont.edu or Prof. Wolf at wolf@westmont.edu.