Dan Lang is 27 years old and works for NBC Sports in New York City. He travelled with the Global Players to Germany (Munich/Berlin), Czech Republic (Prague), and Austria (Graz, Vienna), from mid-June 2010 to mid-July 2010. Dan spent his college year’s playing lacrosse and majoring in communications: Radio/TV/ and Film, at Marist College, where he got the urge to travel abroad again. Being committed to his lacrosse team, he couldn’t spend an entire semester abroad, so he participated in a short term study abroad program in South Africa. After graduating in 2009, Dan couldn’t get rid of the travel bug and longed to explore more, he was put into contact with the Global Players organization through a fellow Marist lacrosse player.
Why did you decide to go abroad with your provider?
I really enjoyed going abroad in High School and in College, both times were for different reasons. The first, traveling to Italy with my high school’s tour choir, we were privileged to sing in the Vatican, and in a few opera houses around Italy. The second, I traveled to South Africa and studied the country’s media practices for a research paper and performed community service in Cape Town.
Global Players allowed me to go abroad, teaching and playing lacrosse, a game that has been such a large part of my life since I’ve been in middle school. The idea of playing in tournaments in Berlin and in Prague was extremely intriguing. The playing wasn’t the only thing that drew me to the program, being able to run clinics, and have the opportunity to refine my coaching skills, was a major plus.
Where was your best photo take and what was it of?
One of my best photos, and favorites, was taken in Prague, Czech Republic. The picture was of an Angel statue sitting on the top of a building. This was one of my favorite city’s because it is still very medieval in its architecture. I took the picture because I felt that there was so much history and a part of me wondered how long that statue had been up there and how much history had he seen.
Being abroad, and visiting cities that have experienced so much history, really puts into perspective how young the United States really is. Everywhere you look there was a building that was just aw inspiring.
What is one piece of advice you’d give future students traveling with your program?
The one piece of advice I’d give future students traveling with Global Players, is to be open and outgoing. While traveling abroad, you’re going to run into people and opportunities that will require you to step out of your comfort zone. Growing up I was a shy kid and it usually took me a while to become outgoing to people I wasn’t comfortable with. The lacrosse clubs and hosts are going to ask a million questions about going to college and playing sports in the states, open up and share you’re experiences, they are going to do the same.
The people you meet overseas have an opportunity to become great friends. I still talk to some of the players I interacted with to this day and have had them come visit me, here in the states. By being open and outgoing, you are going to make some of the greatest memories that will last you the rest of your life.
How has this experience impacted your future?
Traveling abroad has been one of the biggest influences on my life. In every interview I’ve been on, it is always a huge conversation starter. Being a part of the Global Players not only allowed me to see Europe, but it allowed me to share my knowledge of lacrosse to people that truly love the game and want to learn everything about it.
Running clinics in Graz, Vienna, and Munich strengthened my teaching skills which I still use today. Whether it is running group lacrosse lessons on the weekend, or training the interns at work, the things I learned with the Global Players will always stay with me.
