[BU Today] SHA Grad Student Gets Behind-the-Scenes Look at FIFA World Cup
For Carol Gao (SHA’26), hospitality has always come down to connecting with people. This summer, that instinct is playing out on a global stage. Gao is interning with Absolut Sport, a hospitality company handling accommodations and ticket services for fans during the FIFA World Cup matches in Boston, and serving as a primary point of contact for guests throughout their stay.
Her days revolve around the details that keep a match day running: hotel check-ins, bus transportation to and from Gillette Stadium, ticket troubleshooting, and a WhatsApp group chat she sets up with each group of guests so they can reach her with questions. She has connected with fans from around the world, including a couple from New Zealand who asked to take a photo with her to bring home to their family.
The internship came through a connection at SHA’s Marriott Career Center, and it has clarified Gao’s career direction. Rather than the hotel industry, she is now set on event planning, a path this experience has only reinforced along with her problem-solving and customer service skills.
“I really like to talk to people,” Gao said, explaining why she was drawn to event management over a desk job.
Carol Gao (SHA’26) outside Gillette Stadium, where she is interning with Absolut Sport during the FIFA World Cup Boston matches. Photos by Simon Simard
Read the full story, FIFA World Cup Gives a SHA Grad Student Hands-On Experience in Event Management, on BU Today.
- Date: July 1, 2026
- News source: BU Today