Neuchâtel: our new home, but also our final stop

The study period for the FIFA Master 23rd edition class in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, has now started. And, with that, one of the main takeaways from the first two academic modules at De Montfort University in Leicester, England, and SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milano, Italy, is that time definitely goes by in the blink of an eye. Therefore, the twenty-six students who form our cohort have only one real task at this point: enjoy to the maximum the last stop of this amazing adventure we have undertaken since our studies began back in September 2022.

The legal theory will come, exams will come, and case studies will come. But we must now also confront the reality that after all this, soon goodbyes will come too. Therefore, there is no other logical strategy than smiling and being grateful for the opportunity life has given us.

Our Sports Law module at the University of Neuchâtel has already started and even though it creates anxiety and nervousness for those of us who don’t have a background in this field, there is also a feeling of excitement. Our curiosity as an edition is high and we already know our performance is at its best when we face the unknown.

In addition, it surely does not hurt our cause that the city of Neuchâtel is as beautiful as it gets. So, when hard times come, the lake, the Alps, and (hopefully in a few weeks) the Swiss sunshine will be the perfect balm. Yes, expect tons of pictures on our social media accounts, because the architecture of this town with a population of 45,000 is unreal.

The field visits are also keeping us on our toes. So many sports organizations are based in Switzerland that these next three months are invaluable as future managers in the industry, and even just as sports enthusiasts too. FIFA, IOC, UCI, FIBA…. They are all part of our study schedule for this closing module of the course. 

More than ever, during this academic and personal-growth process which we are undertaking, every day counts. This is something we are completely aware of.

As a result, and considering that the end of our FIFA Master journey is near, for any company or organization out there which will get a glance at our class profiles, be assured that as the next batch of decision-makers in the sports world, we are learning and taking everything in. We also acknowledge the responsibility we have coming into this massively widening and developing industry. But, we will be ready and we are ready.

David Goldberg (Costa Rica), FIFA Master 23rd edition student.

FIFA Master - International Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport, ranked No.1 Course in Europe 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 by the SportBusiness International global rankings.

Organised by CIES in partnership with De Montfort University (United Kingdom), SDA Bocconi School of Management (Italy) and the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland).