ELON, N.C. – The Elon men's soccer team is embarking on the trip of a lifetime as the Phoenix heads to Spain on March 20 to play internationally and get an incredible overseas learning experience.
 
As part of the Elon Commitment to diversity and global engagement for its students, the team will travel to Barcelona and Madrid during the nine-day trip as the student-athletes will also complete their learning requirement. Dr. Donna Van Bodegraven, an Associate Professor of Spanish, will lead the class 'Regionalism and Soccer in Spain' that will give the team a deeper understanding of culture, people and place through interaction, observation and reflection.
 
The team will also compete athletically against Spanish club teams over the course of the trip to gain international playing experience and have a chance to interact with Spanish players.
 
The team departs from Elon on Friday, March 20, and arrives in Barcelona the next morning. After four days in Barcelona, the Phoenix will travel southwest to the Spanish capital of Madrid for the remainder of the trip before returning home on Sunday, March 29.
 
NCAA regulations allow athletics teams to make one foreign trip every four years. This trip will mark the first time Elon's men's soccer program has traveled abroad.
 
Stay tuned to elonphoenix.com for updates from the team throughout the trip. Fans can also follow along with the men's soccer team on the following social media sites to hear from players and see pictures.
 
Twitter: @elonphoenix & @elonmenssoccer
 
Instagram: @elonphoenix & @elonmenssocer
 
Facebook: facebook.com/elonphoenix