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Ana Otamas from Russia graduated in 2013 from EF Academy Oxford and earned an IB Diploma.  She is currently studying Medicine at Birmingham University and wants to become a cardiologist in the future. Last month, she sat in the audience of the EF Academy Oxford graduation ceremony with her best friend and fellow alumna Alina Shapovalenko. While she was back at her former high school, many aspiring medicine students had the chance to ask their questions about applying to med school and what the program was like. Read some of her advice in the Q&A below:
How did you hear about us and why did you decide to attend EF Academy?
I had never planned to come to Oxford or study abroad but then I saw a flyer on the plane and Oxford looked so beautiful and charming. I made the decision quite quickly, I needed to finish school in Russia first so that I could attend EF Academy and that school allowed me to skip a grade so that I could study abroad.
What university did you go to afterwards? What did you study and why?
I attend Birmingham University and I’m studying Medicine. I could have applied for anything I wanted, but I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. My plan is to become a cardiologist. What’s interesting in my medicine program is that after the second, third or fourth year of the medicine degree, you can take a year off and earn a degree in anything else related to medicine. This September, I’m going to Leeds to study cardiovascular medicine.  I just finished my third year and I have two years left. It’s a long course so it’s nice to take a year off and do something else.
What do you want to do after university?
I’d like to start working as a doctor right away, but I want to get some experience somewhere else like Australia or New Zealand. I’d like to be a doctor in the UK, which is why I came here for an education in the first place.
Tips for current students who want to apply to medicine school?
I’ve been contacted by a few students already and a lot of them sounded quite frightened because people have told them that medical school is hard and that you have to work a lot. But if you are ambitious and have a spark for medicine, medical school admissions officers will see that. They also love when you do co-curricular activities, so get involved in something else, like sports or volunteering – don’t just study.
The application depends on the school you are applying to – sometimes you have to undertake special tests (the BMAT or UKCAT) in addition to a personal statement and an interview. For Birmingham, there weren’t any tests but I did have to go through a multi-stage interview. There were four different rooms/interviews with two people in each room and a whistle would sound every time I could enter a new room for an interview and when the interview was done. I had to stop talking when I heard the whistle, even if I was in the middle of an answer. The stages of the interview were all different, for example, for one part, I had to give a presentation to convince a student to attend the school (here they were looking for communication skills). None of the interviews were related to medicine actually. Cy [my university guidance counselor] helped me a lot in preparing for the interviews – we downloaded 200 possible questions that they could ask and I wrote answers to the ones I thought were the most important. Cy asked me other questions in person to help me prepare for answering in front of others. In the end, they only asked one question that I had prepared for but the practice helped me feel more confident talking in front of admission officers.
For the first two years of the Medicine degree, we weren’t at the hospital but for the third year, we just had hospital practice and occasional hospital-based lectures. It was quite scary at the beginning because we now had contact with real patients and doctors, but it was funny as well because we realized how different people are – some patients were patient with us and let us talk to them and take their history, and some didn’t trust us at all. But once we were into it, we realized it was completely normal. For the most part, people are nice and encourage us to work in the hospital.
Do you keep in touch with your EF Academy classmates?
Alina and I are best friends so we see each other often; I keep in touch with a few others but not with everyone.
What’s your favorite memory from EF Academy?
We went to Alton Towers with our class, it had been cold for weeks before but on the actual day it was so warm, sunny and beautiful and we spent the whole day together as a class.
What do you miss the most?
The atmosphere of classes because it’s really different at the university – we have 350 people in the course and I don’t know every single person in the lecture hall and the lecturers don’t know our names. But at EF Academy, the classes were small so we felt like we were friends from the start. It was just a really friendly atmosphere.
What is one thing that you learned from EF Academy that you found valuable for university? For work life? For your personal life?
I learned that it’s okay to ask any questions that come to your mind. At EF Academy, they encouraged us to be independent thinkers and approach the information that you are given with a bit of doubt and not just accept it. I’m not afraid to ask questions to consultants when I have trainings in the hospitals.
What final tips would you give to current students?
If you have a heart for something and you really wish to do something, it shouldn’t matter what people tell you about how hard it is, you should still go for it. It’s better to go for it rather than regret that you didn’t. And for first-year students at university, just have fun! As soon as you graduate from EF Academy and you go to university, for those overachievers (and there are many of us), you will want to succeed from the first day, but I wouldn’t say that that’s the most important thing as a first-year university student. You don’t want to be locked in your room reading lecture notes, you want to explore and meet the people who you will be friends with for the rest of your life!
Short questions:
Name: Ana Otamas
Age: 21
Nationality: Russia
EF Academy campus: EF Academy Oxford
Graduation year: 2013
Program: IB
Residence or host family: Host family – I’m still in touch with them, they’re lovely. My first year at university I arrived at Heathrow and my host mom brought all my stuff and helped me get settled in. She still phones me to ask if I need anything. I was really lucky. That’s something that made my experience even better.
Favorite subject: Economics & chemistry
Favorite teacher:
Cy Webber, University Guidance Counselor
Tim Lewis, Science Teacher
Which is the next country you want to visit? Brazil
Shout outs to:
Alina Shapovalenko – alumni speaker at graduation
Cy Webber – it was wonderful to see him again at the EF Academy Oxford graduation ceremony in April

Ana Otamas from Russia graduated in 2013 from EF Academy Oxford and is currently studying Medicine at Birmingham University.

Advice from alumni: Ana Otamas - EF Academy Blog

Advice from alumni: Ana Otamas ‹ EF Academy Blog

Advice from alumni: Ana Otamas

Advice alumni ana otamas

Alina Shapovalenko, a student at the University of Warwick, was the alumni speaker at EF Academy Oxford’s graduation ceremony on April 22, 2016. Read about the memorable event here.
Why did you decide to attend EF Academy?
I was looking for a good school that offered the International Baccalaureate program because it is internationally accepted and I could study different types of subjects at the same time. I chose IB rather than A-level because it is more diverse and offers CAS and TOK elements, it’s also more broad. I heard that EF Academy was a good school for this program and they also offered me a scholarship.
What’s your favorite memory from EF Academy?
The best memory was when we first arrived at school and went to London as a whole class. It was my first time in London and it was great to experience the city with my new classmates and teachers. I was really impressed with London and enjoyed it. We had a lot of trips of this kind throughout my first year at EF Academy and it was always great to share these experiences with my classmates.
What do you miss the most?
I miss how friendly everyone was and the relationships I had with both my teachers and the students. The classes were quite small compared to the ones I have at university and I felt like I knew the teachers very well – they were always available and open to helping us. Because the classes were so small, I got to know my classmates really well. We were in the experience together. University is a very big place and you meet a lot of various new people, but you don’t get as close with them.
What inspired the speech you gave at EF Academy Oxford graduation ceremony?
I thought the best thing would be to talk about something useful and informative for the students. I thought that they could benefit from hearing about my transition from high school to university – for example, the challenges and good things about being a first-year student. I wanted them to learn from my mistakes and my success as well.
What do you remember about your own graduation?
It was lovely! The ceremony took place in the Dining Hall of Balliol College, one of Oxford University’s own colleges, so it was classic Oxfordian atmosphere. There was just our IB class, some parents and teachers, which made the atmosphere very intimate. The day was very beautiful and sunny, and I remember taking a lot of pictures with classmates and teachers to preserve the memory of the event. I was sad at first, because I realized I would be leaving soon, but when I got over that I realized it was just such a wonderful day. I was happy rather than sad because of how special the day really was.
What is it like speaking to a group of students whose experience you are so familiar with?
I feel very comfortable sharing my personal reflections with them. I believe they are able to relate to my experiences much more than if I were speaking to students from a different school. I feel some kind of connection with them, which allows me to be more open.
What advice do you have for the students who are graduating?
Always have a positive attitude no matter what happens. Be kind, grateful and never lose perspective in life because then everything will always turn out alright in the end.
Short questions:
Name: Alina Shapovalenko
Age: 23
Nationality: Russian
EF Academy campus: EF Academy Oxford
Graduation year: 2013
Program: IB
Residence or host family: Host family
Favorite subject: Economics
Favorite teacher: Cy Webber
Which is the next country you want to visit? Australia or UAE
Shout outs to:
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li>Ana Otamas – she is my best EF friend and she is here to support me at the graduation ceremony</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Current university: University of Warwick
Current program of study: BSc Economics, Politics and International Studies (Economics Major)

Alina Shapovalenko, a student at the University of Warwick, was the alumni speaker at EF Academy Oxford’s graduation ceremony on April 22, 2016.

Advice from alumni: Alina Shapovalenko - EF Academy Blog

Advice from alumni: Alina Shapovalenko ‹ EF Academy Blog

Advice from alumni: Alina Shapovalenko

Advice alumni alina shapovalenko

Written by Bennett Thompson & Laurin Demmler 
IB Year 1 Students, EF Academy Oxford
EF Academy Oxford science students had the opportunity to attend New Scientists Live this September, a major event in London showing how the latest advances in science are developing our knowledge and might change the way we live. 
We arrived at the exhibition centre in London to a variety of presentations and exhibitions, ranging from an engineering stage, a technology stage, a human stage, earth stage, cosmos stage, and several interactive exhibits. 
At the cosmic stage, for example, Laurin heard from Melissa Uchida, a High Energy Physicist at Imperial College London. She spoke about neutrinos: small, hardly observable particles, and their oscillation.
<img alt="" class="wp-image-13113 size-full aligncenter" height="586" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/OXF-Science_exhibition-1.png" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/OXF-Science_exhibition-1.png 500w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/OXF-Science_exhibition-1-256x300.png 256w" width="500">
But it was not only the subjects that were interesting. It was as well the way the professors presented it. They were world-acclaimed speakers who were very interactive with their audience and showed great visualizations to help us the listeners understand their newest discoveries. 
After listening to several presentations from professors at various prestigious universities from around the UK and Europe, we set off to the interactive virtual reality exhibits. They were presented by students and professors from a number of universities in the UK. 
The virtual roller coaster was the best thing I tried. Not only were you wearing the VR- glasses, but they also placed you in a makeshift seat to include vibrations and movements to give you an effect of a real roller coaster. 
After only being at New Scientists Live for 5 hours, it was safe to say we were all exhausted. We had learned a lot of new valuable information that we would never forget, and now only have the interest to learn more!

EF Academy Oxford science students had the opportunity to attend New Scientists Live this September, a major event in London showing advances in science.

EF Academy Oxford visits New Scientist Live exhibition in London - EF Academy Blog

EF Academy Oxford visits New Scientist Live exhibition in London ‹ EF Academy Blog

EF Academy Oxford visits New Scientist Live exhibition in London

Oxford new scientist live

The summer holidays are an ideal opportunity to explore and learn from the world around you. Whether you’re interested in combining your search for sunshine with a little culture, or you’re looking to fully immerse yourself into a new history – We think you’ll find something on this list that appeals.
<h3>Rome, Italy</h3>
With over 2,000 years of history, a visit to the Colosseum is a great way to learn about the Roman Empire. Originally hosting more than 50,000 people to watch animal fights, prisoner executions and of course, battles between gladiators. The Colosseum has since fallen victim to earthquake damage, lootings, and bombings in World War Two. Alongside its entertainment history, the structure has also served as a church, cemetery and even a castle for a noble family. Partner a visit to The Colosseum with a trip to the Vatican City, home to The Pope, and you’ll leave Italy feeling truly educated and steeped in history.
<h3>Krakow, Poland</h3>
Poland has become a major tourism hub, offering beautiful medieval architecture and several educational experiences. There are few sites which communicate the dark side of history as well as Krakow, invaded by the Nazis in 1939. Guided tours lead visitors through the cell blocks and museum exhibits of concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. Krakow is also home to the Wieliczka Salt Mines, one of the oldest continuously used salt mines globally (only closing in 2017). Today that rich history has been converted into a museum and world-rated UNESCO site. Walk deep under the earth through caverns and tunnels, wonder at salt carvings and visit the beautiful salt cathedral.
<h3>Athens, Greece</h3>
If you’re interested in classic Greek mythology then there’s no better place to visit than the capital of Greece, Athens. Home to the Acropolis, the most important ancient site in the Western world, and the Parthenon, you won’t fall short of inspiration here. The Parthenon is dedicated to the Goddess Athena and took 15 years to build before being completed in 438 BC! Visitors can expect beautiful architecture and art, incredible stories and rich culture.
<h3>Stockholm, Sweden</h3>
There are few museums quite as spectacular as the Vasa Museum in Stockholm, Sweden. Housed in a specially built facility, here you’ll find a gigantic sunken ship from 1628, salvaged from the icy depths 333 years later. The mightiest warship of its time, the Vasa is one of the best-preserved artifacts from the period. This museum is packed with experiential learning opportunities – for example, walk through a model village from the era and learn about the features of living in this time. You can even step inside replicated rooms from the ship itself! If you’re still looking to learn more during your trip, visit the Fotografiska, museum of contemporary photography, or perhaps Abba, The Museum!
<h3>London, England</h3>
We think London is a great educational destination because of the abundance of catered tourist experiences. Visit the medieval Tower of London built in 1078 by William the Conqueror – you can even catch a glimpse of the Royal Family’s Crown Jewels. If you’re looking for something more laid back, you could visit the SEA LIFE London Aquarium, Madame Tussaud’s Waxwork Museum, The Victoria and Albert Arts Museum or even catch a show on London’s famous West End. Another highlight is possibly the London Dungeons, an experiential learning opportunity which delves into the city’s grisly past.
<h3>Berlin, Germany</h3>
It’s no surprise that Berlin ranks high on the top educational destinations list for high school and university trips. Visit Teufelsberg in the Grunewald Forest, an abandoned US spy station and Cold War relic built on the debris of World War Two. Then visit the Berlin Wall Memorial, the last preserved piece of the wall which once separated the East from the West – a symbol of the lack of freedom under communist rule. Follow this up with a trip through the murals of the East Side Gallery – a must for lovers of art and graffiti.
 
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If traveling is your thing, then we think you’d fit in perfectly at EF Academy.

The summer holidays are an ideal opportunity to explore and learn from the world around you. Whether you’re interested in combining your search for sunshine with a little culture, or you’re looking to fully immerse yourself into a new history – We think you’ll find something on this list that appeals. Rome, Italy With over …

Best educational summer destinations: Europe - EF Academy Blog

Best educational summer destinations: Europe ‹ EF Academy Blog

Best educational summer destinations: Europe

Best educational summer destinations europe

Are Social Networks like Facebook real communities? Why or why not?
written by Maya Nylund, Grade 10 student
According to recent report issued by Ipsos Open Thinking Exchange, the average American spends 2 hours a day on online social networking programs. This statistic includes Americans who do not use social networks at all. Beyond that, this statistic is an indication of a global trend which is glaringly obvious to just about anyone living in the 21st century- social networks have become an essential thread in the fabric of modern life.
Our lives are heavily and increasingly dominated by technology, and by extension, the internet. In the internet we find another world; one constructed of criss-crossing cables and radio waves, down which we send strings of 0s and 1s transmitted and accessed on display screens in the form of characters and pixels. It is through this system that some of our most vital personal, political, and business-related communications are relayed. Our virtual interactions, and the personas we cultivate online, can have as large an impact on our day to day life as any factor in what we traditionally regard as the “real” world.
It is not uncommon to hear groups of users of the networks which the internet enables, such as Facebook or YouTube, being referred to as “communities”. Personally, I believe this to be a very valid, appropriate word choice. A community is defined as “a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common”. It is evident that these online “communities” are usually defined as such under the latter half of this definition; social network users share the mere fact of use of networks as a common characteristic.
Furthermore, just like in our more corporeal communities, there are smaller communities within each network. Membership to these communities often, but not always, correlates with membership in communities tied to actual events and locations. For example, I am a member of the Facebook community who has also marked myself as the former student of an international school of Stockholm and a member of the EFA community based on the Facebook groups I have joined, the friends I have and the specific media I choose to consume via Facebook. Sometimes such communities act as an extension of those we form off-line, and sometimes they are a means of keeping these “real-world” communities intact, such as through alumni groups or the group chats of old acquaintances. However, sometimes they are something entirely their own, in which users who have no relation to each other whatsoever are enabled to come together under a specific interest, characteristic of purpose, an occurrence which I see as more than befitting of the term “community”.
To go a step further, I would say that the internet may be considered a space of its own, and the community of users who log onto it everyday are in closer proximity to each other than we generally think. I believe that the reason why a community is first defined as “a group of people living in the same place” is not only because location entails identity, culture and history, but because a lack of distance is the primary means through which communities have been formed in the past. When establishing a community requires physical closeness, as it usually did prior to the speedy communication allowed through social networks, it seems natural that its definition would be limited by space. However, when we consider the internet as a world of its own, of a space which we inhabit every time we open up a social media app or log onto a wifi network, and through which proximity to anyone is possible, and thus the formation or invitation of almost anyone into a community is possible, whether their computers and themselves are in Delhi or D.C. It seems to me that social networks form more concrete, elaborate, extensive communities than ever before seen. In fact, I believe it could be said that social networking communities are not only “real”, but perhaps even more real than those we foster outside of it.
<hr>
Are Social Networks like Facebook real communities? Why or Why not?
written by Qinlin “Lydia” Yu, IBY2 student
As I posted on my friend’s Facebook timeline to wish her happy birthday just now, I saw many blessings flood the page. All the “happy birthday”s lined up nicely in a fashion that gave me a warm feeling. It was as if I was at a convivial birthday party, where the colorful balloons and the sweet aroma of the birthday cake surrounded the ecstatic crowd. Indeed, it was only an illusion engendered from a Facebook timeline. But when I was drawn back into the reality, the feeling and memory remained tangible.
The world is only made more wonderful because of the different opinions and ideas. Some praise the internet and social media for bringing the society convenience and inclusiveness. But there are many arguments against the use of social media because of its negative influence on people. Online social networks like Facebook can be deceptive and misleading. There is wrong information, fake people, and fabricated products that try to lure people in to gain profit. For teenagers, especially, with their own values and ideals not yet fully developed, they can be easily drawn to the wrong trail by what seems to be attractive. Just like in the nature, the colorful, attractive species are likely to be noxious. It’s difficult for younger people to have the self-control and discretion to make good decisions.
However, the consequence of fraud and harm online is reflected in real life. The more severe virtual phenomenon is cyberbullying. Conversations that are communicated online set people unfettered with their language. As long as there’s no actual punishment, malicious comments online are ubiquitous. How the victims feel are real, and they will carry the scars with them from the virtual dimension to the real world. The world behind the screens is not very different from the real world. The deception and indifference that we see online are not unseen in the reality. In the real world, the results are more direct and deleterious. But similar to the real world, the internet also contains and delivers happiness and inspirations. Before I arrived at EF Academy, I was already connected with my prospective classmates on the Facebook group. The warmth and hopeful expectation that we all got from the cheerful self-introductions could never be replaced by anything in the real world. It was even more exciting to match our facebook friends with the real people when we walked around the campus.
Going to a foreign country and living in a boarding school can be initially intimidating. But nothing can prepare us better than the Facebook group we had before the school year started. It was as if we were not going to a new place with all strangers, but we were returning to somewhere we were already familiar with. Whether the social media is real or not, it all depends on how we view and use it. As long as we utilize it with good cause, we will get encouraging results and feelings that are real.
 
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Students at our international boarding schools make life-long friends, experience the culture of their host country and find their passion in the sports, clubs and activities that inspire them most. Our student life program is powered by their engagement and school spirit.

According to recent report issued by Ipsos Open Thinking Exchange, the average American spends 2 hours a day on online social networking programs.

Are social networks real communities? - EF Academy Blog

Are social networks real communities? ‹ EF Academy Blog

Are social networks real communities?

Social networks real communities

A new year is upon us again and as some of us are shaking off the winter blues or snuggling up with the Hygge spirit all around, we’re thinking ahead to all we might like to accomplish in the coming year. We wanted to hear how some of our school faculty and staff are heading into their year. So, here are some of our school staff’s goals and resolutions for 2019.
We hope you enjoy and feel inspired to achieve your own goals!
 
<hr>
 
“My resolution is to try to learn how to be the best daddy I can be (my wife gave birth to our first child in November).”
– Mark Howe, 
Head of School <a href="https://www.ef.com/wwen/academy/campuses/torbay/">EF Academy Torbay</a>
 
“I am going to get in touch with more former students from my distant past, in part because they may be able to support EF Academy Oxford students as they consider their careers. (This resolution came about as in December I bumped into a former student of mine who is now a top London barrister and another who is now a professor at Oxford University!)”
– Dr. Paul Ellis, 
Head of School <a href="https://www.ef.com/wwen/academy/campuses/oxford/">EF Academy Oxford</a>
 
“I pretty much always recommit myself to a few standard New Year resolutions: reading more, exercising more, eating better. This year, I’ve added two silly things: Explore more trails and jump up and down more often.”
– George Stewart, 
Head of School <a href="https://www.ef.com/wwen/academy/campuses/new-york/">EF Academy New York</a>
 
“One of my new year’s resolutions is to write more blogs but on a personal level I want to do more hiking and a couple of years ago my partner got me a cello for my birthday and I still haven’t fully learnt how to play it so I want to spend more time practicing.”
– Chris Nicholls, 
Activities Director EF Academy Torbay
 
“One of my new year’s resolutions is to lead a more sustainable lifestyle by not buying any new clothes. The fashion industry is extremely wasteful and unsustainable, so I have decided to stop buying new clothes from fast-fashion outlets. I’m excited to find some unique vintage pieces instead!”
– Madeline Ames, 
Marketing and Communications Specialist EF Academy New York
 
“I want to get a new hip! And I also want to get more involved in my local church!”
– Neil Abbott, 
Pathway Manager EF Academy Torbay
 
“I would like to read more books and perfect my golf in 2019. This will help me relax and wind down later in the evenings or on weekends when work in school or at home has stopped and should hopefully reduce my daily screen time!”
– Rob Tasker, 
Deputy Head EF Academy Torbay
 
“My new year’s resolution is to go on more spontaneous adventures and have conversations with more strangers.”
– Arielle Wegbreit, 
ESL and English Teacher EF Academy New York
 
“My new year’s resolution is to take better care of myself. Of course, I want to take care of myself physically by eating healthily and exercising regularly, but I also want to focus on wellness in other areas of my life. I am committing to taking more time for myself to relax, be mindful, and do things I want to do for myself to ensure balance and progress in my life.”
– Emily Aquina, 
Director of Residential and Community Life EF Academy New York

Here are some of our school staff's goals and resolutions for 2019. We hope you enjoy and feel inspired to achieve your own new year's resolutions!

2019’s resolutions from our EF Academy staff - EF Academy Blog

2019’s resolutions from our EF Academy staff ‹ EF Academy Blog

2019’s resolutions from our EF Academy staff

2019 resolutions from our ef academy staff

Recently, instead of normal English lessons, poet Francesca Beard came and taught us to write poems. We warmed up with word games, talked about issues in today’s world, and she read us her poetry and explained it to us. It was great to hear from the person who wrote the poem what it was really all about! We could ask her in-depth questions, like did she really mean to use a word in a particular way?
Francesca Beard’s workshop was so exciting. I much prefer her new way of making poems to more old-fashioned methods. It’s more engaging, less boring and also more interesting than the works I’ve read previously by classic poets.
When Francesca talked she captured my attention like a lion captures its prey. In fact, she talks in such an interesting way that you can’t take your eyes off her! Clearly watching her workshop has made me experiment with poetic language here!
 The most absorbing activity she provided was the one about creating a surreal poem. It was good to hear my fellow students from all around the world create poetry. In fact, sometimes when you translate words from your mother tongue to English without rearranging anything, you can create original pieces of work!
To conclude, I think Francesca Beard’s workshop was absolutely great. I’d recommend anyone to join her for a session if they can. In fact, when you listen to her poetry, it’s like being transported to another dimension.
Jacopo Bagnoli is an IB1 student.

Recently, instead of normal English lessons, poet Francesca Beard came and taught us to write poems. We warmed up with word games, talked about issues in today’s world, and she read us her poetry and explained it to us. It was great to hear from the person who wrote the poem what it was really …

Writing poetry with Francesca Beard - EF Academy Blog

Writing poetry with Francesca Beard ‹ EF Academy Blog

Writing poetry with Francesca Beard

Fancesca beard poetry workshop

<h2>Years one and two – compare and contrast! </h2>
<h3>First impressions of EF Academy Oxford by Year One students</h3>
“During the Induction Week, I met lots of new people and I’ve made many new friends; everyone here is so friendly and nice and this makes me so happy because I’m quite shy. This is my first experience in a boarding school so I was quite nervous before leaving, but now I’m feeling contented because I’ve made many new friends. Most of them are not Italian; they all come from different countries; so I’m getting to know a lot more about other cultures. In my life, I’d never thought about having so many foreign friends but now here I am sharing a room with a girl from Pakistan and hanging out with Norwegians and Germans. I love asking them questions about their countries and their languages and I love answering their questions about Italy. I can say that I’m quite open-minded so I really love being surrounded by foreign people and talking to them. Everything is going amazingly and I couldn’t be happier. I really recommend boarding schools if you have the opportunity or at least having experiences abroad because I think it is one of the best things in the world!”
– Sara Mastantuoni
 
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“When you go into the city center you feel like you are in an ancient town. What I was really not expecting is that there is an Asian restaurant in Oxford.
After the third day ended, we had a trip to Blenheim Palace where Sir Winston Churchill was born. It was really a beautiful and amazing palace. Inside it was full of paintings and architecture it was gorgeous.”
– Raihansya Trisal
<hr>
“I’ve gotten to know so many wonderful people and I’ve really fallen in love with the school!
On Saturday, some new friends and I went to different university colleges in town. If walls could speak! I mean not only did almost every member of the British royalty study here, many scenes from Harry Potter and lots of inspiration were taken right from where I stood four days ago! (I’m actually not that big of a Potter fan, but still, it’s one of the greatest movies of all times.)
Come here, as soon as possible. Bring a rain coat because, well, you know, it’s England. Also bring a camera to eternalize the moment and just let the school spirit fill you.”
– Anonymous IB 1 student 
<hr>
“My biggest academic adventure has begun. To join the EF Academy in Oxford was the best choice I have ever made. The system like here at EF Academy has a lot of benefits, so you can choose the subjects you want and you don’t have to learn subjects you are maybe not interested in. In my case, I don’t like natural sciences like Biology, Physics or Chemistry and so I didn’t choose these. In my previous school, I had to study all and it was terrible. So now I chose subjects like Business and Economics because one day maybe I want to study these subjects at University.
The thing that surprised me most was that all the teachers were very nice and immediately broke the ice and communicated with us on the same level. Especially my English teacher was very nice to me from the beginning because he spoke like a friend. Also, the constant motivation of the teachers leads to the fact that I would like to put a lot of work into school. The headmaster also gave a great motivational speech at the beginning of the induction week.
During the last week, I met so many nice people. I think also one big benefit of this new international school is, that you can meet a lot of people from all over the world and international contacts could be very useful in these times.”
– Jannis Horl
<hr>
<h3>Meanwhile, here’s what some of the Year Two students were up to:</h3>
 Personal Statements, entry tests, applications, and deadlines… sounds familiar? It’s that time of the year again. As many final-year students across the world get ready to submit applications to their dream schools, what’s better than meeting people from these top schools themselves?
Representatives from the University of Pennsylvania (read Benjamin Franklin), Stanford and Wellesley came together for a direct meeting with interested students and parents in London on the evening of Monday, 10th September. It was a student-led visit.
“As the guests were seated, everyone was handed prospectus by each university and the session started. It was divided into two parts. The first segment was comprised of representatives from each university coming to the stage who gave a brief introduction of their respective colleges. They divulged important information about the admission process, campus life, student body, and financial aid. This was followed by a short formal question-answer session where students and parents could ask general questions about the universities. As the audience consisted of mostly international students, the main focus of this session was the financial aid and its terms and conditions. The second segment allowed the students to meet the representatives personally and ask specific questions. Students were able to ask questions like whether they could submit their standardized test scores at a later date than the 1st November deadline for the early-decision applicants, for example. As communicated at the session, students found that the admission rates at these selective schools increase significantly for early-decision applicants. They were also explained the difference between restrictive and early decision methods of application.
The event was particularly important in terms of helping students with narrowing down their choices and putting together a proper action-plan, keeping deadlines in mind.
If you are reading this, then probably you are applying to colleges soon. So, pull up your socks and get ready to woo the colleges!”
– Etisham Chaudhary, IB2

IB year one and two students compare and contrast their experiences on campus so far. Here's a fun recap of the month of September at EF Academy Oxford.

Oxford year one and year two IB students weigh in on the new school year - EF Academy Blog

Oxford year one and year two IB students weigh in on the new school year ‹ EF Academy Blog

Oxford year one and year two IB students weigh in on the new school year

Year one and year two ib students weigh in on the new school year

In the midterm break, I went to Liverpool for a five-day lab course run by a company called BioGrad. I wanted to go to get a more competitive university application as well get a feel for what it is like working in a lab all day.
The day before the lab course started, I travelled up from Oxford by bus. Once I arrived, I checked into the hotel where I would be staying with the other A-level students on the course. They were all interested in studying subjects related to Biology and Chemistry, so everyone in the group bonded straight away.
There were four different courses: BMAT/UKCAT, lab skills, clinical skills, and medical school preparation. I was in the lab skills course with eight other people. Over the course of the five days, we became a tight-knit group, as is bound to happen when you work closely together in a lab.
The lab itself was terrific. The facilities were state of the art, and we got to play around with some cool equipment such as an autoclave and some very accurate (and expensive) pipettes.
The first two days, we learnt some essential lab skills, basics about nanotoxicology and safety procedures which would become very important later as we started growing bacteria. We grew gene modified E.coli and Bacillus subtilus and did various tests on them to check for antibiotic resistance. Throughout the experiments, our instructors told us stories about previous students who contaminated themselves with E.coli. Though we followed the safety instructions exactly, it did make us a bit anxious. We also learnt how to do various lab procedures such as gram staining, an ELISA, and EC50.
At the end of each day, BioGrad had planned activities which we could sign up for. The first activity had us walk around the city as we played bingo with different landmarks. The docks and the many hip neighbourhoods next to the beautiful old buildings impressed us.  There was also a medical pub quiz and an escape room which were very fun and brought out the competitive spirit in us.
At the end of the course, everyone in the group had to do a presentation about something we had done that week. There were many exciting presentations about homeobox genes, forensic science, and using nanoparticles as vehicles for drug delivery. Before we could collect our certificates, we had a workshop about jobs in pharma and perfecting our CVs for work experience.
I would definitely recommend looking into the courses BioGrad offers if you are thinking about studying anything related to Biology or Chemistry.
Elisabeth Foss is a first year A-Level student.

In the midterm break, I went to Liverpool for a five-day lab course run by a company called BioGrad. I wanted to go to get a more competitive university application as well get a feel for what it is like working in a lab all day. The day before the lab course started, I travelled …

Lab course in Liverpool - EF Academy Blog

Lab course in Liverpool ‹ EF Academy Blog

Lab course in Liverpool

Lab course liverpool

I knew I made the right decision to join the Gardening Club for term one’s club offerings. Through the Gardening Club, we developed not only physically, but also emotionally and mentally. We had so much work to do before we could start planting in the gardens again after the summer holidays. The soil was not in the best condition to nurture new plants and flowers. We planned out carefully what we wanted to grow and the necessary steps to take in order to achieve our goals. Due to the limited amount of time before winter, we did our best to rake the soil and quickly decorate the garden to prepare for Halloween and exams. Afterwards, we studied the techniques to grow tomatoes and other vegetables such as cabbage, lettuce, and more.
At <a href="https://www.ef.com/academy/campuses/new-york" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Academy New York</a>, we have over 100 clubs and activities to choose from and for me, the Gardening Club was the one that best fit the bill. Clubs are important because they allow you to connect with peers you may not have otherwise known. You also can develop a passion or at least pick up a new hobby and for a club like gardening, it’s a nice way to take a break from your studies and be outdoors.
Our ultimate goal was to use the garden as a method of healing ourselves from stress, to open up our minds to nature, and to learn how to be caring. Working in the garden required a lot of physical strength, so it was the ideal “gym” for us to go to every Monday, or really whenever we felt the desire to go work in the garden. The garden gives students an opportunity to work together and connect with each other. It was such a great experience during this semester and the Gardening Club stills has many future projects planned out. Remember to drop by and check out the garden when you are feeling under the weather, or even when you are elated. It really boosts your emotions and enhances your learning efficiency!
 
Written by Vu Tien (Jake) Hai, former student at EF Academy New York

EF Academy New York, private boarding school, offers over 100 clubs and activities for students to choose from, one of them is the Gardening Club.

The gardening club at EF Academy New York - EF Academy Blog

The gardening club at EF Academy New York ‹ EF Academy Blog

The gardening club at EF Academy New York

Gardening club ef academy new york

Jaa Charoenboriboon, a student at EF Academy New York, spent her spring break in March in Nicaragua as part of a volunteer service project through the international non-profit organization “Habitat for Humanity.” Together with her classmates, several faculty members and local construction workers, she helped construct houses for a family in need in Nindirí. This is her experience:
This spring break trip to Nicaragua has made a huge impact on me as I learned more than what I expected. First of all, before the journey started, I didn’t have any ideas about how this trip was going to go. All I thought was that it was going to be boring because I knew nobody going on the trip. However, all my expectations were flipped upside down. As we spent more time together, we became closer without even realizing. It is pretty amazing to become good friends with people in such a short time. I have to partially thank the lack of Internet connection in Nicaragua because it made us stay away from our technology for a week. To be honest, I actually miss the time that we didn’t have cell phones with us because those seven days were the happiest days in my life since I had my first cell phone. I didn’t have to worry about anything and I got to spend my time more wisely. I feel like it was a little escape from the complicated world.
I’m happy not only because I spent time away from technology, but also because I got to meet new people as well. We spent most of the days in Nindirí, the place where we built a house for a family. We stayed in the home of a local resident. I was very glad and impressed with how friendly those local people were. They treated us like we are a part of their community. The most important thing about this trip was building a relationship between the local people and us. What I realized was that we were not the only ones who were helping others, but the local people were helping us as well. They showed us what it means to be a community. They made me realize how close we can be with people when technologies are not around and I also realized that I’ve spent my time worrying about small things that do not matter at all in life.
On the last day that we stayed in Nindirí, those smiles that I saw from the family took away all my tiredness. I feel it was really worth it that I went there. It’s no longer about paying money to come here and help a family, but it is more about the fact that I learned a lot about the real world and myself. I would go back to that place or any place in the world at any time to do this kind of thing again. It was really a memorable lifetime experience for me.
Lastly, I have to tell you: I love Nicaragua’s food so much. Before we got there, I thought that the food was going to be really bad because they only eat beans and rice. However, after I got to try their local food, all I have to say is, I’m in love with it. This, again, has taught me that you shouldn’t judge anything if you haven’t tried it yet.

Together with her classmates, several faculty members and local construction workers, she helped construct houses for a family in need in Nindirí.

Spring Break in Nicaragua: A volunteer’s reflections - EF Academy Blog

Spring Break in Nicaragua: A volunteer’s reflections ‹ EF Academy Blog

Spring Break in Nicaragua: A volunteer’s reflections

Spring break nicaragua volunteers reflections

Is Mars the best hope for the human race? Can global warming be a part of the solution instead of a problem? These are the questions asked by a group of students presenting their “Group 4 Project” earlier this semester. Navid Mousavi, Dimash Malik, Cuong Tran, Linh Nguyen, Meihan Hu, Junjie Yang researched reasons why humans cannot live on Mars and broke them down one by one to make Mars livable for the human race in the future.
The group 4 project is a collaborative activity where students from different group 4 subjects (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Environmental Science) work together on a scientific or technological topic. The goal is for students to develop an understanding of the relationships between scientific disciplines and their influence on other areas of knowledge.
The students studying Mars worked to apply lessons learned from the effects of global warming on Earth to the atmosphere on Mars. Their plan includes melting the polar ice caps on Mars and cultivating growth in Martian soil. The students explained the human race should consider a plan to look beyond Earth. After all, we have limited resources and many environmental challenges on our planet. The group then used simulations to consider the practicality of the solutions. While the solutions presented may sound far-fetched today, students are convinced living on Mars will be “feasible in the future.”
A second group considered the issue of Deforestation. The students involved created a public service campaign to help people understand the impact this issue has on our planet. Parand Samadikalkhorani, a senior IB Year 2 student who worked on the Deforestation project, commented “The best part of the Group 4 project was learning to connect knowledge learned in the classroom to real world problems and to work together with students who have a different knowledge base toward a common goal.”

Our students researched reasons why humans cannot live on Mars and broke them down one by one to make Mars livable for the human race in the future.

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