L’ESPEME, a post-baccalaureate program of the EDHEC group, brought together students from the “high-level athletes” track for a friendly meeting with their academic tutors.
The “High-Level Athletes” track of the ESPEME offers an entirely e-learning program leading to a diploma equivalent to the standard ESPEME track. Each high-level athlete benefits from a tutor who follows them throughout their course to prevent any feeling of isolation.
This event was an opportunity for champions Benoît Denoyelle (Rugby), Geoffrey Megi (Pentathlon), Alizée Morel (Swimming), Reina-Flor Okori (100m hurdles), and Robins Tchale Watchou (Rugby) to assess their educational progress with their ESPEME tutor.
For instance, Alizée Morel from Olympique Nice Natation, who learned about this program through Clement Lefert, a student at EDHEC, explains: “Thanks to my tutor, we set up a schedule with my training sessions and online classes.” It is about finding a balance between academic pace and high-level sports, even though all courses are delivered remotely. There is no longer a constraint of time and place, nor a requirement for attendance. The only mandatory presence is for exams, organized in several sessions according to the calendars of sports federations.
“We are in regular contact with Alizée, at least every three weeks in person or via Skype, and she can always reach me in case of difficulties,” said Nathalie Cottat, ESPEME tutor. Students are also supported by a mental coach, Philippe Angel: “I am in constant contact with the teaching team to share a number of experiences and provide students with the right tools to aim accurately and strongly.”
The high-level athletes track perfectly addresses the issue of the “dual project” of a sports career and professional conversion. Robins Tchale Watchou, a professional rugby player and ESPEME student, confirms: “I discovered this program as part of a skills assessment, and this education will allow me to graduate and be competitive in the job market.”
