Media student Holly was selected for the prestigious course from hundreds of global applicants.
A sports journalism student says the opportunity to work alongside other young women in the industry has bestowed her with a "newfound confidence".
Holly Norman, 21, is a third-year student at the University of Gloucestershire, which is celebrating its highest-ever intake of women on its sports journalism course.
She was one of 16 people selected to take part in the prestigious Olympic Media Innovators Programme (OMIP), created specifically for young women aged 18-21.
"It's a very male-dominated industry and it can be quite hard to feel supported," she said. "To know there's somebody out there who sees potential in me is so valuable."
Ms Norman was specially selected for the 12-week online learning programme from 370 global applicants, and went on to be one of nine women chosen to take part in a two-week immersion experience in Madrid, Spain.
The group worked closely alongside industry professionals in the Originals department, which produces documentaries for the Olympic channel, as well as leading producers like Netflix.
Ms Norman said the "life-changing" experience had helped heal some of her underlying "imposter syndrome".
"To apply for something that wasn't connected to the university and be accepted was so reassuring. It really made me think there's a reason we're all here," she said.
"We've been chosen and it's because someone believes in us and wants us to do well. I've got this newfound level of confidence in myself and my abilities."
Course leader Brendan McLoughlin said the number of female students enrolling in the degree had almost doubled since last year, "demonstrating the pertinence" of programmes like OMIP in "supporting young women to enhance their skills in sports journalism".
Ms Norman said she feels women in the sports journalism industry are often "not taken seriously", and may face "barriers" like typecasting or questioning of expertise.
"If you feel like you don't have a female voice in this space that's backing you, it can be quite hard to back yourself," she said.
"But to be surrounded by these strong-minded women enabled me to gain my own voice and stand tall. I was meant to do this programme."
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