2015 School Magazine

STUDY TOURS

OXFORD SALLY BODEN (11B)

COLORADO ISOBEL SMITH (11B) On 27 June, I boarded a plane for Colorado University alone and scared, tired from my lack of sleep. On 19 July, I took the return flight home, suddenly separated from the people I had come to think of as family and tired once more, this time from everything I had done during three of the most amazing weeks of my life. During my time at the beautiful Boulder campus I studied Physical and Technological Computing, hooking up a variety of wires in a shoebox to create an electronic piano and playing Mario Kart with lemons. With one of the smallest programmes of only ninety- three students, we soon became a tight knit group never mind the huge cultural and ocean barriers between us. Colorado University was one of the most uplifting and eye-opening experiences of my life. I did things I’d only dreamed of — hiking in the Rocky Mountains, seeing a baseball game, trying to learn the American national anthem in two minutes — and met people I’ll never forget. My adventure in Oxford was truly captivating and memorable, the greatest life experience I’ve had to date. I was extremely privileged to stay at Pembroke College within Oxford University for a month, enrolled in the Oxford Tradition Program 2015. There were seven Grammar girls attending the programme over our mid- year winter break. I elected to study Medical Science as my major course and Law and Society as my minor. Amongst learning the basics of university medicine we dissected a pig’s heart and brain, practiced suturing on a banana and were enthralled by a range of fabulous guest speakers. In Law and Society, my team were set the task of defending Kim Jong-un in a moot court case. This was a great platform for us to gain insight into the structure and proceedings of a court case. I absolutely loved my courses, our teachers were inspiring, knowledgeable and exceptionally passionate about their subjects. Outside of class, there was plenty of time to explore Oxford and engage with the other 430 students from thirty-seven countries. The talented Activities Directors organised events for us everyday, including a paint party, charity fundraising, a fashion show, a summer fete, sports sessions, Shakespearean outdoor theatre, movie nights, discos, music concerts and a day trip to London!

The finale was a spectacular ball themed to the London Underground, a night I shall remember forever. It was really hard saying goodbye to new friends and leaving the remarkable programme we’d been lucky enough to be a part of.