New Perspective 29 July - 11 August 2018

I was really surprised that I got the opportunity to go to ORA.I did the New Perspectives (Math, Chemistry & Physics and Public speaking) course in July -August 2018. It was a great experience that opened my horizons. Thanks to the Oxford Royal Academy for the scholarship.

I had never been to the United Kingdom before, so the whole trip from start to end was a challenge and testing experience especially because it was the first time I was away from home independently attending to myself. I felt it boosted my confidence as opened my eyes in so many ways.

When the friendly staff greeted me, I immediately felt I was home. I started noticing that I was not the only one far far away from home at the campus. When I saw students from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds hanging around there, awestruck by the monumental buildings with huge smiles on their faces, some over joyed, I was assured that I would be fine. In the Chapel, I realized that over the two weeks I would be befriending most of them and eventually became very close to some of them with whom I still keep contact even to date. The rooms – well totally different from what I was used to live in, were quite nice, and having a roommate added to the great experience I had in Oxford.

As I was in grade 8, having just turned 13, felt that I was a bit young for the course because I found some of the material a bit challenging especially in math since the syllabus was for grade 9ers. The only reason I got through with A Grade in math could only be attributed to the support I had from my friends and teachers.

The activities were amazing especially the scavenger hunt, punting and the trip to London were memorable. I think the only thing that got me down were the flu and the cold weather. The coldest it gets in Maldives, where I live is 24°C but the warmest in Oxford was 22°C.

I returned home to find that I had taken a leap in my ability to comprehend what was taught in class and felt that I was a step ahead of my friends at studies. The whole trip was an unforgettable experience and I would gladly love to do it again. Overall this was the best experience of my life and I would definitely recommend it for other students.