Zurich, hot summer and FIFA!

I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to participate in a summer school course in Zurich, Switzerland, this July 2023. The course was called ‘International Sports Law: Legal Challenges in the Fight Against Doping’. 

My summer school began when I arrived in Zurich in the middle of an unseasonably hot summer. After some complications in my arrival (no trains until 1:40am, and a $99AUD taxi ride for approximately 16 minutes), I began the following day with a fresh start. The university hosted a welcome BBQ, allowing us to meet the other summer school students. The majority of students were staying in the same accommodation (where I was) which was a great way to socialise after class and forge friendships that would last a lifetime! 

As it was incredibly hot throughout our stay, we often swam after class to cool down. These are some photos of a swimming spot located 10 minutes from our accommodation. It was extremely peaceful and beautiful, and the water was so clean!

As part of our studies, we undertook a number of academic trips to solidify what we learnt during class. Our first trip was to the FIFA museum where we played games, watched historical soccer matches, and saw iconic historical items such as the FIFA World Cup! Despite not being an avid soccer fan, it was an unforgettable experience.

Another great moment was in our final week, where we participated in a moot court to put our knowledge to practical use. We were split into small teams and given 1 ½ days to prepare submissions for both a respondent and an appellant in a case on an anti-doping rule violation. Essentially, an instance where an athlete has been caught with a prohibited substance in their sample. The final round of the moot was held at the FIFA Headquarters in Zurich. This was such an exciting day, and the finalists did an exceptional job of arguing for their respective clients.

To conclude, my time in Zurich was an incredible experience. I learnt so much about sports law that I had no knowledge on prior to the course. I met interesting people from across the world and can say with surety that I have made friendships for a lifetime. I am really grateful that I had the opportunity to participate in this Global Short Program, and I urge any student who is unsure about doing so to take the leap and do it!

Serena Townshend
Faculty of Law
International Sports Law in Switzerland
Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship recipient