Getting into the Dream Together Master Program was no easy feat I am sure: for many of us even more so in the height of the pandemic. This was a dream come true, a step in the right direction for our collective careers.
“If someone were to ask me what the best decision, I’ve ever made in my life is, I would like to say that becoming a member of the DTM family is one of the best decisions that I took in my life” (Charuni Dissanayake, Sri Lanka).
The 9th batch just like the ones before us has the diversity and yet inclusiveness that is unique to the Dream Together Master program. Our class boasts of individuals from 17 different countries from all over the world, individuals working for their national and International sports federations, Olympic committees, universities, coaches, and to add grandeur to the mix, world class athletes, Olympians. One would say the batch truly has top notch sports administrators across the very broad sporting field of the today’s world, each one of us with our own unique and admirable sports experience.
A unique feature of this particular DTM batch composition is that for the first time in the history of the program, the females outnumber the males demonstrating yet again the continuous progress in sport to close the gender gap and ensuring men and women are afforded the same opportunities. The program has certainly met our expectations thus far with world renown and experienced faculty who have certainly taken on a hands-on teaching approach that has been vital in grasping of the different exciting sport and administration concepts. We have been introduced to a number of topics that are pivotal to the efficient running and development of sport. Topics most germane to sports like governance, organizational management, human resource management to mention but a few have been delicately and expertly discussed, and we most certainly have our horizons expanded in these fields.
Rewardingly, the group presentations have truly embodied the spirit of team work: Dreaming together with each of us learning, relearning, and sharing from our different experiences.
“It has been a wonderful experience meeting over 20 students from different countries and interacting with professors that have vast experiences in their areas of specialization week in week out“ (Macmillan Mwale, Malawi).
It has indeed been impactful. Growing a deeper sense of interpersonal skills and working with several distinct personalities as we all strive to meet deadlines with our best inputs yet or deciding how best to approach tasks while drawing strength from our diversity and eagerness to deliver nothing short of excellence collectively has been a memorable experience and a big learning curve. Life skills have been learnt with 9th DTM batch, and it will surely serve us all.
Away from the classroom, the program has given us the opportunity to experience a new culture. For many of us, it is our first time being away from home. Korea has quickly become a second home, with the hustle and bustle of Seoul, different historical monuments, and sights to feast our eyes upon. We have been favorably placed in the heart of Korean Culture, and immerse ourselves we shall.
During our first semester, a couple of students had the amazing opportunity to take part in the Imagine Peace Camp 2021, an initiative in commemoration of the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics. This gave DTM participants the experience to relive the 2018 Winter Olympics as they went through the different venues and had close up views of several replicas of medals, equipment, effigies, jerseys, and other memorabilia that were highlights of the games in 2018. The smiles and the beautiful photos from that day are very cherished memories.
“I’m so privileged to have been part of the 2021 Imagine Peace Camp which was held in Pyeongchang city. I got the chance to witness the legacy and the greatness of this city which hosted the 2018 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games“ (Mariam Khaled, Egypt).
Would it truly be a DTM experience without taking part in the prestigious Dream Together Seoul Forum which is organized by the Korean Sports Promotion Foundation? The answer would be, “No!” And this year was no different. The 9th batch had the chance to take part in this annual sports forum.
“The forum was organized at the highest level. The main theme of the forum was sports as one of the main tools in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals” (Olzhas Togizbayev, Kazakhstan).
As with all fun stories, although it has been a memorable adventure thus far, it has not come without its challenges, most of which have been brought about by the Covid19 pandemic that has continued to change our learning preferences and define our calendars.
“I’m learning new things. The remote set-up is challenging, plus the challenge of not having a conducive area of learning adds up to that. That’s why, I’m looking forward to joining the rest of the batch. I’d like to learn more from our conversations and interactions and that would be much better away from the laptop“ (Catherine Joy Lariosa, Phillipines).
These challenges have been our steppingstone to building better versions of ourselves and developing our resilience and desire to carry on. And it only adds to the tales we shall have many years to come when we meet at the top of world sports administration.
As a final pitch, the DTM program designed to shape and position us to be the next movers and shakers of global sport is something to be grateful for. It immediately welcomes us to the world stage and trains us to be capable and responsible for big decisions. A skill required in a world that shrinks daily at the behest of scientists and their inventions. I and the entire team therefore pour out our hearts and say a big thank you to the brain that conceived and implemented this program.
Contribution by 9th Batch President Bridget Umutoni(Uganda)
