2011 Reviews and Photos

2011 Programme Reviews and Photos

Summer 2011 has been ORA's largest and most successful season to date. The highlights of the programme included:

Over 1600 students from 87 countries of the world
Over 50 courses and academic options studies by our students (ranging from Creative Writing to Applied Mathematics)
Accommodation in seven colleges in Oxford and Cambridge
New campuses, including Balliol College and Jowett Walk
Unforgettable graduation ceremonies
Summer balls in stately homes
A huge variety of activities and excursions, from fencing to Bollywood dancing

On this page, we will be publishing reviews and comments written by our students about this year's programme.

You can find plenty of photos on our Facebook page here.

Oxford Royale Academy 2011 Scholars

To read reviews by our 2011 scholars, please click here.

Reviews

Raissah from the United States looks back at her time in Oxford on our New Perspectives programme:

Oxford Royale Academy (ORA) opened my eyes to new perspectives, new cultures and best of all to a better me. “A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions” once said Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

ORA gave me a fresh approach to my education. Rich in students from around the world, ORA classes were always something I looked forward to. Every other person in the classroom had wonderful ideas that reflected their personal understanding of how the world functions and those ideas helped me adopt new ways of thinking. Not only did the other student show a passion for the course, they also showed a passion for their studies and intellectual advancement, making me feel even more eager to study with them. The teachers at ORA were excellent. They demonstrated a full mastery of the course they taught. Skillfully, they encouraged us to not only absorb the subject matter, but also to relate it to the wider world in which we live. Frankly, they never ceased to amaze me with the depth and breadth of their knowledge. But it didn’t end there. They were also supportive, patient and understanding. Their constant encouragement helped me feel proud of myself and my academic achievements. I have always had a passion for teaching and would like to be a teacher one day. My teachers at ORA have inspired me to follow my dreams.

My two week stay at ORA was also experienced as a real celebration of cultures. A wide variety of cultures meshed allowing me to freely share mine, while learning those of others. It was like learning first hand all about a country without traveling there; enriching as well as economical! If I had to choose one aspect of the diversity that I benefited from the most, it would be language. It was enthralling to hear other campers speak in languages that I had only read about in books. Learning a snippet of Russian from one camper and a snippet of Greek from another, helped break the ice amongst strangers and make for moments of fun and laughter.

Not only did I experience international cultures but I was able to enjoy one of the most renowned cultures in the world, in one of the most prestigious cities in the world. There was an abundance of history and knowledge: from the Pitt Rivers, to the Ashmolean museum, the Botanic Gardens, Hampton Court and much more, there was enough to satisfy everyone’s curiosity. To top it all, I had easy access to what I vote the best cookies in the world from Ben’s Cookies.

Thanks to ORA, I was able to spread my wings and discover their full width. I was able to gain self-confidence because it was key to enjoying myself to the fullest. I was able to get to know myself better by taking risks of making mistakes and stepping out of my comfort zone. To be honest, my friends and I didn’t have much in common from the place we lived, to the school we went to, to the language we spoke but that’s what brought us together. For once I was not searching for similarities, I was rejoicing in difference. I feel that now, I am part of something bigger; I have had a taste of the world.

Irina, mother of Sonja from Latvia, who attended our Oxford English Perspective course says:

"The time which Sonja spent at ORA was beautiful - she is absolutely satisfied and happy because she had such an interesting time and made new friends. Her positive memories and the new expressions she learnt will her to improve her English this year. And she is already dreaming about next year and her next summer course at ORA."

Zina writes on her time at the Film Academy programme in Oxford

"The two weeks I spent with the Oxford Royale Academy honestly live up to what they have to offer. This year i participated in film academy as both morning and afternoon workshop, it will be an experience i will never forget. The teachers come with knowledge, experience and background of every aspect of the filming career taught us the basics, from lights and sound to directing and editing. It was a really enjoyable experince where we were able to learn instruction of how to use the equipment, working and getting to know people world wide and shooting in the streets of oxford (where many movies where set in).

Other than learning, i was able to meet people from around the world and really get to know them and their background, this exposure to different perspectives truely is something that is at least a bit life changing. So basically, i have made lifelong friends who i surely, would never forget, that i made them learn something about my country and me and vice versa. (i even met up with a friend from oxford that took film academy with me the other day). At the camp, we also went to both "fun" and "educational" places like madame taussauds, the london dungeons, christ church(in oxford) and hampton court. Finally, we were given a sign out, where we could leave the campus and explore oxford on our own with friends, to shop , to eat... I enjoy the oxford experience so much that it was my second year going this year!"

Belen from Spain and her parents reflect on her stay in St. Stephen's House here.

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