Higher Education Without Borders: The Story of Curler Sergey Dyachenko
Sergey's story on video
Sergey explains why education shouldn't become just another obstacle and what his typical school week looks like between training sessions and away games.
A true story about an SIIL student, filmed by Sergey himself
Key Points at a Glance
Sergey Dyachenko, a professional athlete from Latvia and a wheelchair curler. He competed at the Winter Paralympic Games in Beijing (2022) and Milan-Cortina (2026), where the Latvian mixed team finished in 7th place, and has been crowned Latvian champion multiple times.
A sports schedule at this level consists of training camps, international tournaments, and daily practices. There’s no room for this in a typical college schedule: classes almost always require students to be in a specific classroom at a specific time. Usually , in such situations, education is put off “until later.”
Sergey chose a different path: he enrolled at the Swiss International Institute Lausanne and is studying online. He continues to play sports, pursues his education at the same time, and life doesn't come to a standstill.
"Sometimes reaching an audience is harder than studying itself."
Direct quote from Sergey in the video:
How Sergei's Studies Are Organized
The SIIL format removes exactly the barriers that prevent athletes from studying in person:
- Study wherever you are: at home on your computer, on the go on your phone, or at a café on your laptop. There’s no need to be tied to a specific city or classroom.
- Lecture recordings: If you don't understand the material or if a class conflicts with your workout, you can watch the lecture at a time that's convenient for you.
- Personal advisor: You can ask questions directly and take your time to go over the topic without having to wait for the next class.
- Chat with Students: Stay in constant contact with your classmates; you can discuss assignments and solve problems together from anywhere in the world.
- Flexible session schedule: The training load is structured around the competition calendar, not the other way around.
What was the result?
- Sports without compromise: training camps, tournaments, and the Paralympic Games remained on schedule, and my studies didn’t require me to choose between my career and my degree.
- Education without delay: I didn't have to put off applying to college until the end of my athletic career—years that are usually wasted.
- International Environment: A Swiss institute, classes taught in Russian, and students from different countries all in one chat.
- Plans for the future after sports: A college education prepares athletes for the career transition that every athlete goes through sooner or later.
Why Are Stories Like This Possible at SIIL?
SIIL was originally designed as an online institute: access to course materials, support from a mentor, and communication with students are not dependent on which country you are in. For those who find it difficult or impossible to come to campus every day (professional athletes, working adults, people with limited mobility, and students from other countries), this is not a “light” option, but a practical way to obtain a full-fledged higher education.
Sergey chose that university for this very reason: its history shows that it’s possible to study without putting everything else on hold.