“If you are not having fun it makes no sense” – Johan Cruyff

In the words of the Founder of the Johan Cruyff Institute for Sport Studies, the International Master of Sport Studies (MISM) students discovered the true meaning of fun whilst on their recent study trip to Barcelona. Over a 4 day period the students studied hard, socialized and visited the city and had fun, and fortified friendships that will endure long after their study year is over.

The focus of the study trip was ‘Management & Leadership’. The highlights of the (academic) component were the guest presentations from Valenti Giro discussing his experience in a team attempting to climb K2, and Xesco Espar providing a different perspective on motivation through emotion, and also a surprise visit from Johan Cruijff! Students visited Palau Sant Jordi, the Olympic Stadium and Olympic museum at Montjuic, took a tour of Camp Nou, and also attending a coaching workshop on Barceloneta beach under the bright blue Spanish sky.

The social activities were equally as important, enabling students to get-to-know each other better and most important – have some well-earned ‘fun’! From the tapas dinners, to the ‘pretty boys’ and ‘bird’, to FOC, to the dancing on the 22nd floor of the W Hotel, the group became a team, and returned to Amsterdam as friends.

In the words of one of the students, Leon de Gilde: “Whatever happens in Barcelona does not stay in Barcelona, it stays with me wherever I go”.

> MISM - Johan Cruyff Institute Amsterdam
> Photo Gallery - Study Trip to Barcelona 2011