With millions of fans traveling from around the world and billions more watching from home, the FIFA World Cup is one of the biggest sporting events on the planet. Behind every match is a team of professionals working to create a seamless experience for players, officials and international guests.
As the FIFA World Cup comes to Dallas, Texas this summer, UCF Rosen College alumna Risako Karasawa is working behind the scenes to help welcome international guests to the global tournament. As an on-site VIP Tour Coordinator and Translator, she serves as the primary contact for a government delegation from Japan, coordinating transportation, managing logistics and providing interpretation throughout their visit.
For Karasawa, the role brings together several of the industries she’s always been passionate about.
“My favorite part of being a VIP Tour Coordinator is that it brings together everything I love,” she said. “Combining my passions for sports, entertainment and hospitality, this opportunity feels like the perfect fit for me. It was rewarding to help create memorable experiences for the VIP guests while gaining amazing work experience”
The opportunity builds on the experiences she gained as an Entertainment Management student at Rosen College. “UCF has encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone and build meaningful connections through hands-on learning experiences,” she said. “My Entertainment Management degree provided a strong foundation in event operations, guest experience and project management. Those experiences gave me confidence and practical skills to adapt quickly, solve problems and support VIP guests.”
After earning her undergraduate degree, Karasawa moved to Tokyo, where she spent three years working for a sports creative company. Her work included sales and marketing, project management and merchandising for professional, amateur and collegiate sports teams. That experience gave her a new appreciation for the role sports can play beyond the game itself.
“Through my work in the Japanese sports industry, I realized that sports are not just entertainment events, but they can bring people together, fostering a sense of unity, shared experiences and local pride,” she said. “I was especially drawn to the impact sports have on community development and city branding.”
Working at an event as large as the FIFA World Cup also reinforces the importance of staying flexible. “I learned that successful guest experiences depend on preparation and flexibility,” she said. “Even with detailed planning, situations can change quickly, so it’s important to adapt while maintaining a high level of service.”
As an international student from Japan, Karasawa said her own experiences help her better understand the needs of the delegation she was supporting. “I’ve experienced what it’s like to navigate a different culture, language and environment,” she said. “That perspective helps me better understand the needs and expectations of guests from Japan and provide them with a more thoughtful and personalized experience.”
Representing UCF and Rosen College at an event of this scale made the experience even more meaningful.
“It’s always an honor to represent UCF and Rosen College,” she said. “As both a UCF alumna and current graduate student, I’m grateful for the education, hands-on experience and confidence that UCF has given me to pursue opportunities like this. Representing my university at a global event like the FIFA World Cup allows me to demonstrate the quality of the education I received while gaining invaluable experience.”
Ready to create unforgettable experiences in sporting event management? Learn more about Rosen College’s undergraduate degree programs and start your journey.