Making connections: Kannchana (second from left) with her newfound friends in the dining hall at Lady Margaret Hall.
IF anyone had told 10-year-old me that I would one day set foot at Oxford University, I would have given them an incredulous side-eye in response.
Even to this day, that week of my life in the United Kingdom still feels like a fever dream.
As a participant of a youth leadership camp, I had the opportunity to experience undergraduate life at Oxford – one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities – last December. It lasted no more than a week, but every second of the trip was memorable and thrilling.
Having studied in an international school where the majority of students were Malaysian Indian, I found it particularly refreshing to mix with a diverse group of youths aged 13 to 16 from various backgrounds, each with different aspirations and opinions. I learnt a lot from them – about confidence, speaking up and having fun.
Oxford itself had a very homely atmosphere, quite different from the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur. We were lodged in Lady Margaret Hall, one of nearly 40 colleges in Oxford. The rooms hosted two people each and came with a small but sufficient en-suite bathroom.
We were assigned roommates randomly, but I was glad to have been paired with someone I could get along with.
Getting to eat breakfast in the dining hall was one of the things I looked forward to; the Harry Potter vibes were very much present during those moments.
A tour of Oxford, led by students at the university, was breathtaking. The architecture of every college reflected the period in history it was built.
We even visited a couple of sites from the original Harry Potter movies, as well as places that inspired some of literature’s classics. My favourite part of the tour was climbing up the church tower to capture a glorious view of the well-known Bodleian Library.
As the programme progressed, I got to socialise with more people, including Malaysian students studying in the UK, and took part in activities and classes hosted by Oxford professors.
A notable highlight was the drama sessions. We were divided into two groups to rehearse Shakespeare’s Macbeth. These sessions really pushed me out of my shell, teaching me a thing or two about myself.
The activity that really hooked me was Model United Nations. I had never participated in one before and found myself completely invested in the process of creating policies and presenting them.
We were each assigned a Sustainable Development Goal and a country, then allowed to form groups. I felt in my element when it came to writing our policy, while my teammates handled the presentation with complete confidence – in the end, we won second place.
Our nights were mostly filled with outdoor excursions: ice skating, dining at the mall, visiting the Christmas Market, and watching Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse at the theatre.
Unlike in KL, where cars are the common mode of transport, we travelled to most places on foot – except when the downpour got heavy.
The theatre was probably the most unique experience for me, never having watched such a performance before. It was also fascinating to see how differently the locals there appreciated the arts.
We also toured the Oxford Prison, which is no longer in use but is still home to many spooky tales.
Being able to bring home all I had learnt from that week has made me more confident in myself and my opinions.
It has now been eight months since my trip, and in that time I have enrolled in college. I wouldn’t say I became a completely different person immediately after returning, but the changes in me became evident over time.
It has become easier for me to voice my opinions and convey my thoughts, even in everyday conversation. I feel that much of the way I carry myself comes from the week I spent abroad – yes, it may sound a little exaggerated, but I truly feel that way.
I’ll definitely carry the experience with me for a long time – in the form of the friends I made and the lessons I learnt.
For my future, I have my heart set on becoming a doctor. Due to the exorbitant cost of studying abroad, I plan to apply to local universities. However, I hope to return to Oxford one day for a degree in creative writing, a passion I have always had.
To my peers, I recommend stepping outside your comfort zone by participating in camps like this. You will gain unique exposure, unforgettable experiences and lifelong connections – all of which were huge milestones for me, and which I hope all Malaysian youths can experience as well.
Kannchana, 17, a student in Kuala Lumpur, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to facebook.com/niebrats.
With the theme of the article in mind, carry out the following English language activities.
1 Imagine hosting a foreign student at your school. Role-play a dialogue in which you give them a tour, introducing the school and sharing interesting facts. Include greetings and questions about school life in your conversation.
2 If you could plan an activity for a youth leadership camp, what would it be? Describe the activity and explain how it would empower youths.
The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes English language learning in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@thestar.com.my.
