Yudo shares her experiences in Oxford
During the summer vacation, students have lots of free time. After studying hard throughout the year, many just want to relax and have a good time. The idea of going to school during the holiday might not sound like fun. But more and more students are taking summer school courses overseas.
Going to a summer school abroad gives students an opportunity to develop their knowledge, explore new interests and broaden their horizons. And it’s fun. You get to take part in lots of different activities, go on trips and meet other young people from all over the world. And you can develop important new friendships.
To find out more, S Weekly caught up with Pattarawadee Jitprapai (Yudo), a student at Thammasat University, to ask her about her recent experiences at a summer school in Oxford, England.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Yudo: I’m in my third year at Thammasat studying Business English Communication (International Program). And I took a 10-week summer school course at EF International Language Campus in Oxford last year.
Why did you choose to go to England?
Yudo: It was my first time going abroad to study. Most of the students in my year had already had that experience, so I thought I should do it too. I’ve been interested in England since I was a kid - I especially like the accent. So I asked some friends who’d been there to recommend where to go and they suggested Oxford. It’s a beautiful old town with a world famous university.
Where did you stay in Oxford?
Yudo: My parents were with me for the first few days. Then my plan was to stay with a host family. But we weren’t happy with the place, so I stayed at the EF dormitory instead.
What were the highlights of your trip?
Yudo: One of the nicest moments came right at the beginning. When I arrived, I was welcomed by the support team of the summer school. They offered lots of help and advice to me and the other new students. It really helped us to settle in. There were lots of activities where we could socialise and discover the culture. During weekends, the school often took us on trips to other towns and cities nearby. Brighton was one of my favourites.
Did you make a lot of new friends there?
Yudo: Yes. The school had a very relaxed atmosphere and it was easy to meet other students. I made a few friends from countries like Italy and Spain. But I got along better with students from other Asian countries like Taiwan, Korea and Japan. Maybe because our cultures aren’t that different.
Can you tell us about the classes at EF?
Yudo: They were great. They mostly focused on grammar, vocabulary and conversation. Classes at the summer school were slightly different from the ones at Thammasat. At EF, there was a lot of interaction during debates and discussions. So I got to practise my English a lot.
What were some of the main benefits of spending time abroad?
Yudo: There were so many things I learned during my time there. The first few weeks were overwhelming because I was learning how to deal with a totally new situation. But it helped me learn how to look after myself. I did my own laundry, cooked my own meals and shopped for my own groceries. Most of all, my English improved a lot. Before I went, I was a shy person who wasn’t that good at socialising. But I gained a lot of confidence while I was there.
