111 participants from 92 countries from five continents – these are the impressive numbers of the FISU Volunteer Leaders Academy 2018. One year after the first edition in Kazan, students from all over the world came back to the host city of the Universiade 2013. They discussed the future of university sport on local, national, continental and international level in lectures and in groups.

More than 30 students from EUSA member countries took part in this program. At the end of the ten days, FISU awarded the top ten participants who will have the chance to attend the FISU Forum 2018, Winter Universiade 2019 and the Summer Universiade 2019. Five students from Europe got a certificate of excellence. In our column, they look back and speak about their time in Russia.


 
Maja Andersson from Sweden (winner of this year FISU Academy): "The FISU Academy was a wonderful experience with loads of good conversations, learning opportunities and amazing people. Even now a few days after coming home, my mind is everywhere. I cannot properly sum up my feelings or thoughts and put them into clear sentences. As FISU ambassador we are working with students, for students and university sports. I want to give the possibility and help to other students to feel the joy that physical activity could give. This is empowering for me."



Antoine Attard from Malta: "Being a part of the FISU Volunteers Leaders Academy was an enriching and humbling educational experience. The idea of meeting other young representatives from 92 countries was stimulating because I was able to further develop my cultural competence, networking skills and knowledge and awareness of university sport education."



Adam Pratchett from the United Kingdom: "The FISU Volunteer Leaders Academy was both an eye opening and challenging experience, but something that I will never forget. Having the opportunity to learn from experts from across the sporting sector, including the IOC, WADA and FIFA, and interacting with 111 delegates from across the world, led to a rich learning environment and interesting discussions about the level of development of university sport in each delegate's country. Looking to the future, it's clear FISU does far more than just deliver the Universiades, which is a common misconception in the UK, and as an ambassador I'm looking forwards to promoting FISU's values and activities."



Katarzyna Czalej from Poland (member of the EUSA student commission): "The idea of gathering people from different cultures and backgrounds when it comes to NUSAs and their development is very beneficial and should be practiced more often. The academy gives a unique chance to network with people from all around the world. Through many workshops and cultural activities we were learning, developing ourselves and making new friendships. Being entitled as FISU Ambassador is encouraging all of us to actually make an action and contribute to promoting FISU among our university athletes and volunteers."



Moritz Belmann from Germany represented EUSA during the academy (member of the EUSA student commission): "The intercultural exchange was the biggest benefit during our time in Kazan. We can learn from each other about the way to solve problems in university sport, even if we come from different continents. The transfer of knowledge and experiences are the main tasks for the future FISU student ambassadors."



The FISU Academy 2018 was related to the new FISU ambassadors program. All participants and their five mentors will take part in this program in 2018 and 2019. The ambassadors will represent the university sport, its norms and values and the benefits of healthy lifestyle.

Are you a student with an opinion? We are looking for new contributors for our student column every month. Feel free to contact stc@eusa.eu to offer a piece or propose a topic.