By VIOLETTE FIORE

Oxford Royale Academy

Why did you choose to participate in Oxford Royale Academy's Law & Politics Summer School?

I wanted to exercise my independence in preparation for college, and felt that going overseas on an academic course in a new country would be an excellent way to do that. I also had high hopes for other potential exciting experiences abroad – in my studies, in seeing new places, and in making new friends – and I was drawn to Oxford as a location because of its history and its reputation as a leading university of the world.

How did you decide which program was right for you?

I looked at many programs as I investigated the best place for my overseas study trip, but the courses at Oxford Royale appealed to me most as the program offered a good mix of teaching hours, masterclasses, lectures, and opportunities to go on excursions and enjoy free time.

What was a typical day in your program?

After breakfast we had classes throughout the morning, with plenty of break time to relax and swap notes with other people on the course. In addition to the academic study, you learn new skills such as debating, and how to think through processes and find solutions to problems. In the afternoon there were activities, including sports and museum visits, and we had free time to enjoy the sights of Oxford.

What was the most memorable moment of your program?

The most memorable moment of my program was the mock trial in a real court room, but I loved every second of my course because my teacher was so amazing. He is a captivating instructor who teaches with detail and has such an engaging method of doing so. You’re never bored in his class! Also, something I know many of my classmates must have written is how much we each loved meeting each other. We all come from different places and have so many cultural differences which was incredibly interesting to learn about.

What advice do you have for teens looking at programs?

I am happy to recommend Oxford Royale to other students. The highlight of my time at ORA was definitely learning about all my classmates and room-mates. People were so different from what I was used to and it was so interesting to spend two weeks with everyone from different countries. There is a lot of free time for you to socialize and get to know Oxford. I felt that I increased my knowledge, found my independence, and made new friends and connections from all around the world.