Summer Study Abroad in Oxford, England

I had an amazing time at oxford royale academy. I guess the best part for me was being able to share with people from all over the world that share different points of view. However different we may have been, though, there was always a space of respect and interest coming from everyone, and that's a community which I was proud to participate in. The level of international consciousness, global mindsets, and curiosity was astonishing. For this reason, I think that the best part of my experience was the interactions I had with the people I met. In one word: unforgettable!

I have met some very interesting people during my stay at ORA.

The lessons were great! But the connection I have with the new friends I've made is just wow... they're like the missing piece in my life. Thank you so much for this ORA!

- I met François Geng & Arthur Merminod again ( 2 Swiss ORA alumni) in Berlin two weeks after the course. Arthur and I were learning German. And Francois was just there on holiday with his family. What a coincidence! So we decided to hangout and We literally spent the best time of our life!
- I met another friend Vicky, who stayed at ORA for 4 weeks, she lives in Berlin so when she came back, we went for a girl's day.

- Segolène Denef and I saw each other again during Christmas in Brussels, it was as if we've known each other forever! I love her so much!

- Robin Okker ( another Belgian alumni) and I speak to each other everyday, he also introduced me to Alex Kas who is also an alumni but from 2015.
- And the craziest thing is that all of us have friends in common from around the globe who aren't in ORA.... For example Bridget Als ( an alumni from Trinidad) knows my friend Sebastian Perez in Jakarta...

I didn't know what to expect when I planned my trip to ORA, I was stressed and anxious about the courses and the people I was going to meet. This summer camp was one of the best things that happened to me. The whole experience was amazing and the best part was that I made a lot of new friends that I still talk to, even 8 months after the summer camp. The courses were very interesting as well and I learned a lot of new interesting things. I would love to come back next year!

In 2013 I decided to sign up for the Broadening Horizons programme at ORA and I am so happy that I did! I chose to do Political & International Relations, as well as Experimental Psychology and the Global Issues Seminar Series. The teachers were all very enthusiastic about what they were teaching and it never got boring. I could indeed broaden my horizons, not only academically, but also socially and culturally. Nowhere before have I met so many students from all over the world in one place. The staff was super nice and I would recommend this programme to anyone who is interested.

I'm out off words to describe my ORA'16 summer programme's experience. Unprecedented I would say. Everyday, was a day full of excitement and thrill with a new thing to discover. The courses were so enlightening and spellbinding. Whenever someone asks me about the best part it's just so hard to decide as every moment was a golden one. The evening activities were so exuberant and new to try such as punting, chicken wire activities and much much more.
Before going to the programme I was really nervous, but the counsellors were very welcoming and joyous. 2 weeks I spent there felt like home. Intermingling with students from over 50 nationalities changed my personality and way of thinking in a very positive way. ORA has given me dozens of life long friends and so much amazing memories I'll never forget, especially the parties.
I believe every student should once in a lifetime attend such programme. I'm thankful to ORA for providing me with this inestimable opportunity and I won't give it back even for a million dollars.

Going into something as exciting, thrilling and new as this was something very much outside of my comfortzone. Yet, in a wonderful manner oRA made the experience incredibly easy. I discovered a new side of myself, I made new friends, some of which I know are for life, I got to realise my own potential. I am so grateful for everything I got from this amazing experience, I will treasure those two weeks forever and revisit them in my dreams.

My stay with Oxford Royale Academy was a unique, academically challenging and fun experience. Not only did I meet a lot of nice and inspiring young people, I also got to explore Oxford, London and some British universities. The classes were very interesting and while I was challenged and had to work, it never got boring and I was always motivated to participate in class. In the afternoon we had the possibility to visit workshops on very diverse topics- I chose poetry- which didn't necessarily have anything to do with our academic course- I chose UK University Preparation. There was also plenty of time for bonding with new friends. One of my favourite experience was when we went to London to watch the musical Thriller. After over half a year, I still fondly remember my experience and love keeping up with the friends I made there, which I am still quite close to.

Going to ORA was my first venture out of my own country, and naturally I was nervous. However attending the stimulating and enjoyable courses and workshops opened my mind and provided me with wonderful learning opportunities. All excursions, activities and events served to make the experience even more enriching. I can easily say that I had the best 2 weeks of my life at ORA doing so many amazing things I could not have gotten to do in my home country of Pakistan.