Excitement kicks off as FIFA Master 25th Edition begins in Leicester
The FIFA Master 25th edition has begun with a bang, and what a month it’s been! We, a group of twenty-five students from around the globe, have quickly become close-knit, living together in student accommodation on campus all next door to one another. The proximity has resulted in countless group adventures, from pub outings to watch football, to weekend city expeditions. If you're wondering where we hang out when not in class, expect to find us at football stadiums, the arcade or a pub, which are all within easy walking distance.
Our love for sport extends beyond just studying it though. We’ve organised friendly football matches among ourselves, and a bunch of us caught Aston Villa’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Everton at Villa Park, with Jhon Durán’s stunning goal-of-the-season-contender winner. Some of us also cheered on Leicester City Women in their first WSL home match against Arsenal at King Power Stadium, just a quick 10-minute walk from our flats.
When we're not out and about enjoying the city, various drinks, dinners and sport have been perfect icebreakers, helping us to learn more about each other’s diverse backgrounds. With a shared passion for sport, it’s been easy to build connections.
Of course, there’s the academic side too. So far, we've taken fascinating field trips to iconic spots like Wimbledon, the Olympic Park, Rugby School and Leicester Tigers Rugby Club. These visits have given us an insider look into the sports world, from the historic birthplaces of football and rugby to the modern-day challenges of running elite clubs.
We haven't forgotten our Humanities of Sport classroom sessions though. We’ve delved into topics such as the Birth of Modern Sport and Professional Sport in Context at De Montfort University’s International Centre for Sports History and Culture, where the Scientific Directors and guest lecturers have kept us captivated. We even wrapped up our first round of group presentations discussing Wimbledon's legacy last week.
It’s been an incredible start, packed with fun and learning. And this is only the beginning!
By Lace Hallendorff
FIFA Master 25th edition student
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FIFA Master - International Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport, ranked Europe's No.1 course a record 12 times by SportBusiness.
Organised by CIES in partnership with De Montfort University (UK), SDA Bocconi School of Management (Italy) and the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland).