By Ibrahim Almahaireh, Sam Hargett, and Emillie Waddell
May 18th was the second day of the Ohio State European Model of Sports Study Abroad Program, and it was packed with memorable experiences.
Our day began with a one-hour train ride from Manchester to Liverpool. Upon arrival, we headed straight to Anfield Stadium, the historic home of Liverpool Football Club. Anfield is renowned in the Merseyside region for its rich soccer history. We explored the stadium, walking through the tunnel into the dressing room and eventually stepping onto the pitch. Hearing the famous anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and touching the “This is Anfield” sign was an exhilarating experience. We learned about iconic players like Sir Kenny Dalglish, Mohamed Salah, and Steven Gerrard, who have all passed through this tunnel.
However, the day took an unexpected turn when Emillie, one of our group members, felt unwell and fainted while we were exploring the stadium. She was quickly attended to by paramedics and taken to a nearby hospital. Despite the stressful situation, Emillie handled it with grace.
In the afternoon, we had some free time, which we used to explore Liverpool. We went shopping, enjoyed a pint at a local pub, and had lunch at a place called American Pizza, which reminded us of home. Our next stop was The Beatles Museum. The museum offered an immersive experience into the lives and legacy of The Beatles, detailing their rise from a local pub band to international superstars. We followed their journey from Liverpool to Hamburg and then to the United States, where they sparked Beatlemania. The exhibit also touched on the band’s bittersweet end following their manager’s death, highlighting the impact of their breakup on the music world.
After visiting the museum, we continued to explore Liverpool, visiting local shops and enjoying the city’s vibrant atmosphere. We even saw a lively street performance by an Elvis impersonator, which added to the charm of our visit.
We then took the train back to Manchester, reflecting on the day’s experiences. Upon return, we gathered for dinner at a rooftop bar called “YES,” where we enjoyed pizza and gyros before returning to the hotel for some much-needed rest.
