When I received the confirmation that I would be attending an academic summer camp at Oxford, I didn’t know what to expect. I knew Oxford was one of the most prestigious and historic universities in the world, so I imagined it would be an extraordinary experience.
Since the first day, we were given an introduction to the history of the campus where I would be staying. I was stayed at Wadham College, one of the university’s oldest buildings, founded in 1610. The atmosphere really made me feel like I was inside the world of Harry Potter, it had beautiful gardens, and an architecture style that looked like it came straight out of a movie. The dorms were three-floor towers with four rooms and one bathroom per floor. Everything was simple but cozy, and very clean.
During my stay, I completed 50 hours of intensive academic work. The camp was designed to give us a taste of what it’s like to study at college and help us discover if the field of study was truly for us. I chose the medicine program, which covered some of the most popular specialties like cardiology, psychiatry, dermatology, and gastroenterology. In addition to theory, we had awesome activities. I learned how to perform CPR, suturing, blood draws, intubations, and even basic surgical techniques like proper handwashing before entering the operating room. It was an experience that closely imitated what a medical student might go through.
One of the most amazing aspects was getting to live and interact with students from all over the world. There were only four of us from Latin America, and we shared the program with students from the United Kingdom, Australia, Monaco, Spain, India, Czech Republic, Vietnam, the United States, France, Germany, Ghana, and many other countries. This cultural diversity taught me so much. The conversations we had about our backgrounds, goals, and perspectives on medicine opened my mind and helped me develop greater empathy. I realized that even though we come from very different places, we all share the same passion for learning, for helping others, and for making the world a better place.
Outside the classroom, I also experienced what daily student life is like. I ate in the college dining halls, explored the city, spent time in the gardens, and immersed myself in an environment full of history, knowledge, and friendship. I built meaningful relationships with amazing people, many of whom I still keep in touch with today.
With no doubt, this was an unforgettable experience. It helped me confirm my desire to pursue medicine, gave me valuable tools for the future, and allowed me to grow as a person. I came home with more confidence, a broader global outlook, and the motivation to keep preparing myself to achieve my dreams.
My deepest gratitude goes to the leadership of Colegio Internacional Montessori for authorizing my absence from school during the time of the camp, without their support, this incredible experience would not have been possible.
