Interview with an Indian MBA turned AISTS, Lausanne student.

An interview with Meet Unadkat, an Indian MBA turned AISTS Lausanne, Switzerland student. His journey is a story of passion and a greater purpose. 

You left a well-paying corporate job in Bangalore to pursue studies at AISTS (International Academy of Sports Science and Technology), Lausanne, the official sports management program founded by the International Olympic Committee. What pushed you to make this major decision in your life?

 

“Yeah, it might sound impulsive, but it wasn't. After pursuing an MBA from IIM Rohtak, I had a great job, and the pay was good. But somewhere deep down, I knew this wasn't where I was meant to be. My real passion had always been sports. Since childhood, I used to stay up all night watching cricket, football, and the Olympics, even when my parents scolded me for skipping sleep before exams. And until I was working, that passion was running in my blood. But it was all worth it when I got admission to AISTS. I didn’t play any tournaments and never had any formal sports background. And that is very rare at AISTS. Because all the students enrolled there have played in any sports stream. But I think in my case, it was all about my entrance exams and interviews.”

 

What made you choose the AISTS Program specifically?

“Lausanne is indeed a scenic Swiss city, but it is also a hub of the Olympics. Over 50 international sports federations and the IOC are based there. And AISTS is co-founded by the IOC itself. Organizations like the International Swimming Federation, World Athletics, and anti-doping agencies are just a few minutes' drive from the campus. Here, the institutional link gives us access to some programs and matches. I knew that Lausanne is the city and AISTS is the institute to transition into the world of sports.”

 

Without any sports background, it must have been tough to get into AISTS. How did you prepare to crack its exams?

“Like students in any batch, I had not worked with any sports federation, so I focused on what I could control—the entrance exams and interviews. Both of them covered topics like Business and Management of Sports, English, and the French language. I prepared for them. Maybe my obsession with watching and analyzing sports helped me to succeed. That waste of time actually became my biggest strength.”

 

What kind of program does AISTS offer? What kind of projects or internships do you get?

“The MAS program- Master of Advanced Studies in Sport Management & Technology is a 15-month programme, with 8 months of theories, seminars, field trips, and 7 months for internships and projects. We get the chance to work on the client team projects with AISTS alumni and sport industry professionals to work on a real-world challenge in a practical setting. Recently, we had a session with the UEFA Women’s EURO alumni. We have the HQ of World Aquatics just a few minutes from the classroom. So such a hands-on workshop is part of our MAS course.”

 

What advice would you give to someone in India leaving a stable corporate job to join AISTS or pursue a dream like this?

“I believe passion and persistence are what keep you awake on those long nights. Never carry the fear of trying something or the regret of not trying at all. For getting institutions like AISTS, go for a deep research, understand their structure and atmosphere. If you are applying outside India, make sure you can communicate the basics of their languages. Here, people often prefer European languages over English. Grab opportunities to work with local bodies and federations. That will greatly help you in the application process. Lastly, I would share that sometimes, some life choices feel unconventional, and people might not take your interests seriously, maybe they even make fun of them. But if you are truly passionate and prepared, your path will eventually find you.”