Please visit EF Australia website to see relevant programs, offers and pricing information.

Academics

Boarding Life

Language And Culture

Parents

Alumni

Student Stories

School News

Language Learning

New York

Pasadena

Oxford

Stories from our international boarding schools

Ef Academy ‹ EF Academy Blog - 10

dots

As a school, the lessons we have learned in 2020 have no doubt made us a more extraordinary, resilient community for years to come. But our biggest lesson has been this: No matter how much the world changes, we will continue to provide students with a life-defining education no matter what.
The coronavirus pandemic forced many of us to put plans on hold. It challenged some of our priorities, but also reinforced the urgency of others. Education – especially a high school education – is one of those urgent priorities that cannot wait, and this year we learned just how committed we are to guaranteeing it.
<h3>Adapting to uncertainty</h3>
From face-to-face teaching to distance learning and back again – adaptability and resilience have been major themes in 2020. In a matter of days last spring, our faculty transitioned from teaching in classrooms to teaching via distance learning across 12 time zones as we helped students return home safely. In spite of the challenges, our Grade 12 students graduated with some of the highest marks and <a href="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/efacademyblog/outstanding-university-offers-2020/">best university acceptances</a> our school has had to date.
The summer break was spent planning and preparing for campus reopenings in August. With a new intake process involving mandatory testing and quarantining, extensively revised health protocols and social distancing measures, we successfully welcomed students back on campus to provide them with a stimulating space in which to live, learn and flourish. When asked about what it was like to be back and reunited with friends, most students agreed that campus looks a little different nowadays but is very much the same welcoming, inspiring place it’s always been.
<h3>Optimism for the future</h3>
Equipped with the lessons learned this year, we are determined to keep students on track with their education next year and are providing families with more support than ever before to ensure studying abroad in 2021 is still possible.
Our <a href="https://staging.efacademy.org/announcements/safe-learning-promise/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Safe Learning Promise</a> is our commitment to ensuring students continue their education no matter what. In a time of uncertainty, we are supporting families with a series of promises they can rely on: the highest standards of health safety at our school, face-to-face teaching and online learning for those who need it, a support network on campus and in families’ home countries and flexible fees to provide additional reassurance.
In addition to this support, we have developed a series of exclusive preparation activities for new students and their families to make everyone feels confident and ready to embark on their international journey with EF Academy. Interactive workshops, virtual tours and detailed seminars on topics such as university preparation and co-curricular activities will help every new student hit the ground running next September.
They say education is a lifelong process, but the high school chapter is one that can neither be skipped, delayed nor repeated. At EF Academy, we are more committed than ever before to making it a truly transformational one.

Our biggest lesson in 2020 has been this: No matter how the world changes, we will continue to provide students a life-defining education no matter what.

Lessons from a high school year like no other - EF Academy Blog

Lessons from a high school year like no other ‹ EF Academy Blog

Lessons from a high school year like no other

On a blustery spring day in the middle of the spring break, our <a href="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/efacademyblog/meet-the-team-daniel-simpson-pathway-manager/">Pathway Manager Daniel</a> led a tour of Oxford by bicycle. What was a gloriously sunny spring only a few days ago, the cycle tour contended with some of the wildest weather the British Isles has to offer, with flurries of snowfall and icy winds. Nevertheless, the cycle route went ahead and was planned to cover some of Oxford’s key sites as well as some lesser known spots of interest.  
We started off by traversing the Headington Hill (descending, much to Nisa’s joy!) and headed down the famous Cowley Road towards Magdalen Bridge. I pointed out the myriad of international cuisine served on Cowley Road, before crossing Magdalen Bridge, the well-known hub for punting activities and home the Magdalen College School and the imposing bridge tower.  
From there we criss-crossed our way through the town centre, using the many cycle paths and ended up in the Covered Market, home to souvenirs and independent shops along with some of the best food vendors in Oxford, including my favourite Butcher – David Johns, suppliers of the finest Christmas Turkeys!
<img alt="David John, butchers in Oxford's Covered Market" class="aligncenter wp-image-18123 size-full" height="269" sizes="(max-width: 568px) 100vw, 568px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ef_academy_oxford_city_2.jpeg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ef_academy_oxford_city_2.jpeg 568w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ef_academy_oxford_city_2-300x142.jpeg 300w" width="568">
As all tourists must, we circled the Radcliffe Camera, bouncing our bicycles on the cobbled street and peered through the gate at one of the greatest academic centres in the world, All Souls College. I explained the academic achievements of its alumni and that each graduate is gifted the status of ‘fellow’ upon graduation and what this honour means. Our next stop was the ‘Bridge of Sighs’, named after the 17th-century Venetian bridge bearing the same name. I revealed the alternative reason for its title; that students after graduating walk beneath and let out a sigh of relief as their studies are completed. Naturally, we replicated this on our bicycles!  
Turning to face the Radcliffe Camera with the steeple of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin peering behind, I showed the precise angle to take one of the most scenic photographs in Oxford, capturing the Radcliffe Camera, the Church behind it and in the foreground, a scenic lamppost and blooming cherry blossom tree. A definite desktop background! 
<img alt="Radcliffe Camera in spring" class="size-full wp-image-18124 aligncenter" height="269" sizes="(max-width: 568px) 100vw, 568px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ef_academy_oxford_city_4.jpeg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ef_academy_oxford_city_4.jpeg 568w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ef_academy_oxford_city_4-300x142.jpeg 300w" width="568"> 
Leaving the centre, we pedalled down St. Giles. Before passing Blackfriars College and the Ashmolean Museum, I showed the spot where Hugh Cranmer and Thomas Latimer met their gruesome fate at the Martyrs Memorial, where they were burned at the stake for Heresy against the Church in 1555 AD. Looking ahead, we passed the pub that hosted the likes of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis as they penned some of their great works of literature; The Chronicles of Narnia and The Hobbit.  
Cycling north, away from central Oxford, we passed through the district of Jericho, home to the world-famous Oxford University Press (OUP), where we marvelled at their grandiose building. A pertinent place for <a href="https://www.efacademy.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Academy</a> students given that they have all studied English Language using a book published by OUP at some point in their lives! 
<img alt="Oxford University Press" class="size-full wp-image-18125 aligncenter" height="269" sizes="(max-width: 568px) 100vw, 568px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ef_academy_oxford_city_7.jpeg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ef_academy_oxford_city_7.jpeg 568w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ef_academy_oxford_city_7-300x142.jpeg 300w" width="568">
We continued our route out of the city, crossing the canal and following it’s path through Port Meadow, where we stopped for lunch alongside Oxford’s resident canal boats. With rapidly freezing fingers, we circled back through University Parks and past the Cricket Pavilion to ride alongside the architecturally unique Keble College and stopping for a hot chocolate in front of the spectacular (and under renovation!) Natural History Museum and Pitt Rivers museum. These have housed a staggering display of biological specimens and anthropological finds since its foundation in 1884.
<img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-18126 aligncenter" height="269" sizes="(max-width: 568px) 100vw, 568px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ef_academy_oxford_city_3.jpeg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ef_academy_oxford_city_3.jpeg 568w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ef_academy_oxford_city_3-300x142.jpeg 300w" width="568"> <img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-18127 aligncenter" height="269" sizes="(max-width: 568px) 100vw, 568px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ef_academy_oxford_city_5.jpeg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ef_academy_oxford_city_5.jpeg 568w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ef_academy_oxford_city_5-300x142.jpeg 300w" width="568">
We ended our route by cycling back to school along the Marston cycle path, enjoying the rows of blossoming trees, avoiding the dreaded Headington Hill. Cold and well-informed, the tour ended, but it was a lovely chance for students who arrived during lockdown to see their host city for largely the first time!
<hr>
At <a href="https://www.efacademy.org/oxford/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Academy Oxford</a>, our Activities Coordinator, Pathway Managers and teachers are committed to offering students opportunities to learn and grow outside of the classroom.

On a blustery day in the middle of the spring break, EF Academy Oxford students went on a bicycle tour of the city led by our Pathway Manager Daniel.

Oxford on two wheels - EF Academy Blog

Oxford on two wheels ‹ EF Academy Blog

Oxford on two wheels

In 2017 EF Academy students took part in a short story competition. 
There’s a yearly creative writing competition and this year’s theme was ‘Rebellion’. 
Here is the winning entry – Utopia by Marianne Muller.
 
<hr>
It was a sunny morning. As usual, the sky was bright blue and there was not a cloud in sight. At six thirty, the first car rolled out from under an automated garage door. At seven, bikes accompanied by schoolboys rolled along with the bright mansions and shiny office buildings, all lined up in perfect symmetry. At seven thirty, the streets were slowly filling with men, women, and children in tailored suits and skirts and polished shoes, walking cheerfully over perfectly smooth pavement. By eight o’clock, the wheels of Utopia were turning, and a new day had begun.
Sally, a woman in her late twenties, had awoken to the sound of classical music, as she did any other morning. It was long ago decided that nothing was better for the citizens of Utopia than classical music to lull them to sleep and help them rise in the morning. Now, Sally was sitting by her marble top kitchen counter, humming and eating cereal. Stepping outside her door ten minutes later, Sally felt light and happy. How could she not? The sun was high and the birds were singing. “Chirp, chirp, chirp!”
In the center of the city stood a peculiar monument. Four brick walls, on their own. The citizens of Utopia passed it every day, not knowing what was inside. Most likely, they did not care either. As Sally passed the construction that morning, however, she felt a momentary curiousness. What did these walls conceal? Then she looked at her wristwatch, realized she was late and forgot all about it.
In the same way, they had left, the people of Utopia slowly retracted back into their homes as the night fell. Every woman, man, and child once again fell into a deep sleep to the sound of music, tired from the day, yet excitedly awaiting another. Everyone, that is, except Sally. As she stepped into her home that evening, her eyebrows tightened worriedly for the first time in months. The house was quiet. Not a note of music sounded from the speakers. For a second, the house appeared to be dead. Puzzled, and shaky with anxiety, Sally went to bed. After thirty minutes, she decided she could not sleep. The music had to play.
Wrapping a robe tightly around her shaking self, she went down to the basement. She did not like the basement. It was a cold and dusty place and only existed to house one thing: the fuse box, the technical center of her home. She swung open the box, and realized she was in trouble; a tangled lump of tiny wires filled the space inside. She reached into the pocket of her night robe and pulled out a pair of scissors. I heard somewhere, she thought, that you need to cut the red wire in case the speakers are faulty. Her hands were shaking. This was something she had never had to do before. The scissor blades reached out for a bright red wire, ready to halve it. Cold and afraid, a spasm shot through Sally’s hand, and before she could stop it, the scissor had pierced the lump of plastic. The speakers woke up again. Instead of classical, wavy music, a high-pitched, shrieking noise filled the rooms of the once so peaceful house. Her mind blinded by the horrid sound, Sally fell to the floor.
She awoke the next morning, clutching her head. The noise had finally ceased, but Sally swore she could still hear it somewhere deep in her mind. Standing up on the chilled basement floor, an uneasy feeling dawned on her. She quickly headed outside. A sight met her that made her feel as though she might pass out again. The world beyond her doorstep was unrecognizable. Transfixed, she stepped onto the pavement. It was cracking under her feet. Between the cracks, thick metal cables could be seen. Wires hung from the houses, houses whose bright color had been replaced by a decaying grey. Withered leaves lay collected in a gutter otherwise filled with muddy water. The sky was no longer clear. Brown-red clouds polluted it. From every lamppost hung great speakers. “Chirp, chirp, chirp!” they sang. “Chirp, chirp, chirp!”
In the midst of this wasteland, the people of Utopia walked. They carried the same smiles they always did and acted as if they were walking in a world equal to that of yesterday. Sally could only look with terror at their indifferent faces, as they passed her by, on their way to work and school. The uneasiness she carried now grew into anger and suspicion. She noticed suddenly her scissors were still clutched in her hand. An idea struck her mind. Whatever was happening to her once-so-perfect Utopia, its source was at the center of the city.
She did not know how she had made to the city center. Neither did she know how she had climbed the massive brick wall. But, there it was. Every cable and every wire led to this spot. A tangle of metal and plastic carefully put together into something of a machine. This is where it all began. The monster’s brain.  Still, in her night robe, she watched the beast for a few minutes. It grumbled, its metal veins pulsing as it worked. Oil dams surrounded it, and smoke rose from it. The petrol stung her nose and the smoke blurred her vision. Then, before the monster could see it coming, Sally drove the pair of scissors into its stomach.
All around the city, the speakers started shrieking. The terrible, high-pitched noise bore into the ears of every citizen. Perhaps they too saw the cracks in the pavement, the mud in the gutter and the polluted sky, before an electric explosion struck outwards from the center of the city square and turned the whole of Utopia into nothing.
Thick, heavy fog engulfed the streets of the city of Utopia the next morning. At six thirty, the smoke was still rising from the ashes of what used to be brightly colored mansions, lined up perfectly along the street. At seven, the wind started picking up from the east. At seven thirty, the ashes had become dusty clouds, whirling rapidly in a stream of air. By eight, the smothered city of Utopia had blown away. Left behind were only a vast wasteland of smoke and a broken illusion of paradise.
Originally published April 19, 2017.

Last term here at EF Academy Oxford many of our students took part in a short story competition.

Oxford creative writers - EF Academy Blog

Oxford creative writers ‹ EF Academy Blog

Oxford creative writers

MUN (definition): An acronym used for ‘Model United Nations’ an extra curricular activity/event where students role play countries in various political situations and must diplomatically resolve a given conflict
Our coordinator, Cy and student Berenice have both given their thoughts and photos to contribute to this blog. Enjoy!
Thirteen students went to St Clare’s International School for a Model United Nations (MUN) conference on Saturday 28th January. Three students in particular deserve special mention: Luisa Kloth, Khansaa Houlbi and Berenice Buendia because they spent a lot of extra time in residence helping to prepare students for the conference who were very new to the concept of MUN. They helped direct research and trained students in the use of specialised formal language which must be used during debates. The conference debated the building of Jewish settlements in Israel in Palestinian areas.
This was a terrific first experience for many of the students and all of them were so enthused that they now want to organise a conference for St Clare’s students to visit us here at EF Academy Oxford towards the end of the year. The contributions of Bror Nissen (recognised as one of the best delegates) and Khansaa Houlbi and Juhyun Kim (recognised for strong contributions) were singled out by the Student Chair who ran the debate.
All students deserve praise as they were enthusiastic, proactive and risk-takers! They are: Evelyn Schwab, Rebekka Kvalum, Sanghwan Jeong, Marie Rimolsronning, Tiwa Adedibu, Mariana Lizarraga, Sara Zonza and Milena Lemoine!”
First year Berenice also gave her thoughts on the event-
“My name is Berenice Buendía and last 28th of January I attend my third MUN conference. I’ve been attending to MUN conferences for about two years, Mexico, New York and Oxford. I never thought I would have the opportunity to assist to a conference in Oxford because I didn’t joined the MUN club at the beginning of the year, but now I wont leave it, I forgot how much I like these conferences. It makes you grow as a person and you can always make friends from this experience.
MUN has always given me a bigger panorama of what is happening in the world. I have improved my speaking skills and I have become someone who can speak in front of a lot of people with facility.
Cy, our coordinator, asked me and other students to leadership the others delegates because we had more experience. It was really nice to help the all with their doubts because it was really easy for me to answer them and I learned to be organised with this.”

Thirteen students went to St Clare’s International School for a Model United Nations (MUN) conference on Saturday 28th January.

EF Academy Oxford’s MUN adventure - EF Academy Blog

EF Academy Oxford’s MUN adventure ‹ EF Academy Blog

EF Academy Oxford’s MUN adventure

Ef academy oxfords mun adventure

Last Saturday, Michael, one of the Assistant Heads, used his Oxford alumni card (which permits a very limited number of guests) to take a small group of us on a personalized tour around several of the oldest Oxford Colleges. The medieval and later architecture of the university buildings was stunning – all grimacing gargoyles, carved stone arches, and quadrangles: a Harry Potter fan’s dream. We visited several colleges including St. Edmund Hall (founded 1278), The Queen’s College (founded 1341), Corpus Christi College (founded 1517), and Balliol College (founded 1263).
Whilst undertaking the tour, Michael was able to tell us stories about university life, including his spell as a Junior Dean in his college where he was able to quieten the often raucous students. He also told us about leaving intense one-to-one tutorials with a great sense of relief, only to find himself carrying another bundle of books to read for the next week. Grahame, our Mathematics teacher, also told us about his life at Durham University (also an old and collegiate English university) and of the similarities between the architecture of Durham (a beautiful cathedral city in the North East of England) and the architecture of Oxford. I really enjoyed Michael’s interesting stories, some of which have to remain confidential, about his time as a student at Oxford.  He read Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE), a course known for producing politicians in the UK and in other countries and also EF Academy’s President, Jenny Hepworth. All in all, we had an amazing time together and the small “insider” tour strengthened our decision to want to apply Oxford University. It also gave us a great insight into the life of a student – a life we are all looking forward to undertaking after our amazing two years at EF Academy Oxford.
Living in Oxford is generally amazing, but this overwhelmingly academic environment has proven especially helpful during our university application process. Oxford is a largely student-dominated city, so there’s always something going on, and as students in Oxford, we have access to much of what is on offer to the city’s university students. With the school’s support, we’ve had the opportunity to go to university lectures at Oxford University, attend debates, visit museums, and of course we use the large modern library of the city’s new university, Oxford Brookes, just over the road from Cotuit Hall.
The tour with Michael and Grahame really reminded us of what we’re studying so much for.
Through this trip to the colleges of the University of Oxford, we were also reminded of how supportive the teachers of the school have been – caring, enthusiastic in their academic teaching, but also very keen on extra-curricular discussions and opportunities, and on helping individual students resolve their dilemmas: for instance, university choices.
 
This blog post was written as a collaboration by current students at EF Academy Oxford, Leon Tung Ho Lau, Evelyn Schwab and Rebekka Kvalum.

Michael used his Oxford alumni card to take a small group of us on a personalized tour around several of the oldest Oxford Colleges.

EF Academy Oxford year two students tour Oxford Colleges - EF Academy Blog

EF Academy Oxford year two students tour Oxford Colleges ‹ EF Academy Blog

EF Academy Oxford year two students tour Oxford Colleges

Ef academy oxford year 2 students tour oxford colleges

On a crisp Friday afternoon, EF Academy Oxford students had the wonderful opportunity to visit the core of Britain’s government, known as the Houses of Parliament. The Houses of Parliament, which also goes by the name the Palace of Westminster, is arguably one of Britain’s most iconic sights. It is the place where the House of Commons and the House of Lords meet to discuss laws and debate topical issues. The House of Commons consists of MPs who were elected by the public to represent a specific region of the UK. It is also where the Prime Minister and her advisors work. By contrast, the House of Lords is made up of people who were not elected by the public but who may have inherited their title or were even handpicked by the Prime Minister.
This symbolic building is situated in the heart of London by the River Thames and next to Big Ben. It was originally built in 1016, over a thousand years ag. However that part of the building was ruined by fire in 1834, thus resulting in Westminster Hall being the oldest part of the Palace. Westminster Hall was built by William Rufus, the son of William the Conqueror, in 1097-9. It is a magnificent hall that has stood proudly despite all the beatings it has taken throughout a millennium, and this is where we began our tour.
Our friendly tour guide led us through the halls and past the stunning stained glass windows to where the Queen would begin the state opening ceremony, which is held at the beginning of each parliamentary year, and where the Queen gives a speech and sets out the government’s agenda for the upcoming year. It begins with the Queen arriving at the Sovereign’s entrance, She is then escorted to the robing room, which is a beautiful room decorated with a royal blue carpet and paintings by William Dyce, portraying the chivalric virtues of hospitality, generosity, mercy, religion and courtesy. This is where the Queen will put on the Imperial State Crown and her ceremonial robes prior to making her grand entrance in the House of Lords.
We continued the tour and followed the Queen’s route to the House of Lords where we were greeted by rows and rows of red seats. Red is the main color of the House of Lords; green is the main color of the House of Commons. However, the most extraordinary sight was the gold-plated royal thrones where the Queen and her family members would sit as the Queen gave her ‘Speech from the Throne’.
Next we went to the House of Commons and as we made our way there we passed by statues to commemorate significant political figures throughout the years such as Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher. This chamber was slightly more spacious and included features such as a bulletproof wall to prevent any regrettable incidents from occurring.
Unfortunately, our tour quickly concluded and we were back on our way to Westminster Hall, passing by walls and ceilings filled with fascinating symbols and portraits that signify Britain’s heritage.
Written by EF Academy Oxford, A-Level Year 1 Student, Mumtaza Chairannisa

EF Academy Oxford students had the wonderful opportunity to visit the core of Britain’s government, known as the Houses of Parliament.

EF Academy Oxford visits Houses of Parliament - EF Academy Blog

EF Academy Oxford visits Houses of Parliament ‹ EF Academy Blog

EF Academy Oxford visits Houses of Parliament

Ef academy oxford visits houses parliament

On Sunday, October 1st,  we went to the <a href="https://live.newscientist.com/">New Scientist Live</a> expo which took place at the ExCel center in London. Being literally surrounded by science, we were all very excited. The exhibition halls were arranged into “areas of science.” Going from the Engineering to the Cosmos Area gave us graphic insights into developments in treating patients with dementia, innovative car prototypes, amazing images of our galaxy… and so much more!
“I heard incredible talk about Huntington’s disease presented by Dr. Edward Wild, who was able to describe this condition and tell us a little bit about his ongoing research to find a way to prevent it using simple, easy-to-understand terms. To conclude, it was an awesome opportunity for students interested in scientific areas, like me, to discover fascinating curiosities related to it and acquire knowledge in an unusual and funny way.”
What truly fascinated me [Iulia] was a talk given by a professor at Cambridge University about the relationship between black holes and the galaxies they develop in. This particular aspect of the exhibition opened my eyes not only to the huge amount of work researchers have been doing to untangle the universe, but also to how little we know about the universe so far.
We also learned about the possibility of carbon-based life forms existing elsewhere in the cosmos. For example, Saturn’s moons arguably can provide an appropriate climate for a life form to exist. The talks were categorized into particular fields. We also attended a talk about Nuclear Fusion, and how, in science, we are attempting to emulate an even higher temperature of the sun’s core.
The stand that I [Gregor] found myself most interested in was the engineering stand. An engineer explained to us that we are now having to redefine the way we look at designing technology due to different conditions on other planets. This is proving to be a revolutionary step in the field of mining.
The Virtual Reality (VR) stand included a presentation on how people can now be trained for different professions without even having to leave the comfort of their own homes. VR is now able to accurately and realistically reconstruct the real world to an extent that will eventually make for a much safer environment for all of us. I [Gregor] really enjoyed partaking as a volunteer, mainly because it really gave me an insight into just how much attention to detail there must be in the realistic digital recreation of real life.
As a group, at lunch, we visited the different food stalls and had a chance to talk about the different experiences we had. We heard some interesting stories from a lot of our peers about how they now have new interests in different areas of science. Here’s one from IB Year 1 student Ana Julia Trento Bezerra:
“I heard an incredible talk about Huntington’s disease presented by Dr. Edward Wild, who was able to describe this condition and tell us a little bit about his ongoing research to find a way to prevent it using simple, easy-to-understand terms. The day was an awesome opportunity for students interested in scientific areas, like me, to discover fascinating curiosities related to it and acquire knowledge in an unusual and funny way.”
 
This blog was co-written by Iulia Bock & Gregor Muenchengberg current IB Year-2 students at EF Academy Oxford…or possibly the future of scientific research.

On Sunday, October 1st, we went to the New Scientist Live expo which took place at the ExCel center in London.

EF Academy Oxford scientists visit New Scientist Expo in London - EF Academy Blog

EF Academy Oxford scientists visit New Scientist Expo in London ‹ EF Academy Blog

EF Academy Oxford scientists visit New Scientist Expo in London

Ef academy oxford scientists visit new scientist expo london

Exciting news from <a href="https://www.efacademy.org/oxford/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Academy Oxford</a>! We recently had the pleasure of officially opening the brand new Science department on campus in <a href="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/efacademyblog/topic/oxford/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Oxford</a>. The new department features three modern, equipped labs, one new prep room and a whole new Science corridor.
 
<img alt="Inauguration of Science lab at EF Academy Oxford" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19673" height="754" sizes="(max-width: 568px) 100vw, 568px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/oxford-science.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/oxford-science.jpg 568w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/oxford-science-226x300.jpg 226w" width="568">
We asked Mark Fletcher-Single, Head of School in Oxford, what his exciting addition means for the school:
“As a school, we have always excelled in the teaching and learning of science (of course, I truly believe our teaching and learning is excellent across the board in all subjects, but…), with many students going on to study biology, chemistry, physics as well as medicine, science-focused engineering courses, etc., at some of the top universities in the world. Indeed, just before Christmas, I bumped into a 2022 graduate in town who is reading Chemistry at St Anne’s College, University of Oxford. So, when looking to order our school’s significant development plans intended over the next 5 years, the Science Faculty seemed a very prudent place to begin. It’s interesting and, of course, great teaching and learning aren’t reliant on ‘the best’ facilities, but we wanted to begin with our school laboratories because we understand, with great teachers, how much further great science students can be stretched and challenged in a great learning environment. I hope you agree, looking at the photographs of our new Science Faculty – and ‘yes’, we did all of it (well, if you’re serious about something…why not?) – this development’s been truly transformational.
To ensure we developed the best possible teaching and learning arrangement in the laboratories, we actually moved 3 doors, 2 walls and 1 window, but can you tell from the quality of the finish? No, you can’t. What do you see? You now see a large fully-equipped Chemistry and Biology laboratory with the most stunning teaching wall behind the teacher’s demonstration island: a superb concept encouraging group participation, and ensuring greater synergy between practical demonstrations and whiteboard theory teaching. You now see a brand new Biology and ESS laboratory with gas taps and sockets fitted at each workstation, creating more opportunities for practical experiments; and you now see a developed Physics laboratory with the teachers’ resources so cleverly stored on the back wall to maximise students’ individual work areas. ‘…resources cleverly stored…to maximise students’ individual work areas’ may sound salesperson-esque, but it isn’t, think of the space needed by each student for their text books, laptop, notebook, practical equipment, etc., etc., etc.: each worksurface, window, light, storage drawer, sink, gas tap and plug socket of this development was so carefully drafted on the plans, to ensure our students enjoy the best possible science teaching and learning experience. And you know what? I think we’ve done it. If you are looking for a completely different sixth-form experience, why don’t you <a href="https://www.efacademy.org/contact-us/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">book a visit</a> to see our new Science Faculty for yourself?”
<img alt="Science lab at EF Acacemy Oxford" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19674" height="568" sizes="(max-width: 568px) 100vw, 568px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/MicrosoftTeams-image-64-1.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/MicrosoftTeams-image-64-1.jpg 568w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/MicrosoftTeams-image-64-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/MicrosoftTeams-image-64-1-300x300.jpg 300w" width="568">
<img alt="Science lab at EF Academy Oxford" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19675" height="426" sizes="(max-width: 568px) 100vw, 568px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/MicrosoftTeams-image-63-1.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/MicrosoftTeams-image-63-1.jpg 568w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/MicrosoftTeams-image-63-1-300x225.jpg 300w" width="568">

Exciting news from EF Academy Oxford! We recently had the pleasure of officially opening the brand new Science department on campus in Oxford.

Brand new Science department in Oxford - EF Academy Blog

Brand new Science department in Oxford ‹ EF Academy Blog

Brand new Science department in Oxford

Brand new science department in oxford

This is an article by Alessandra DiNicola, a current IB student at EF Academy Oxford.
The first time I wrote a blog for EF Academy was last December for the school’s <a href="https://www.ef-italia.it/blog/efacademynews/alessandra-di-nicola-la-mia-vita-ad-ef-academy/">Italian language blog</a>, in order to present myself and my initial thoughts about my first year with EF Academy. Since then, some time has passed and a lot has happened. I’m not an IB year one student anymore and I’m nearing the start of my second year of IB in Oxford.
As many people state, living abroad is a useful experience because it gives you the opportunity to expand your horizons by discovering new cultures and improving your English language skills. These could be considered principal reasons students choose this adventure.
It was true for me and I believe my decision was also based on the fact that I started to feel like my world was too small. I thought it was time to grow and discover the world around me. I wanted to become more responsible and have the ability to manage myself.
I would like to present you two of my biggest difficulties, because as they say “life is not a bowl of cherries”. Both of these influenced my first year’s experience. And then the good parts of these new experiences.
<h3>Roommates</h3>
Obviously, a year abroad represents an important change in life and later on, it becomes a complete revolution. I’m an only child and when I arrived in Oxford, I discovered I had to share the room with two more people (which became three later on – somehow, I was so lucky that I got the only room in all EF Academy Oxford residence for four people!) I think this was my biggest “issue” in the beginning.
During the year I changed several roommates. Some of them didn’t like the size of the room, others left the school, other ones were changing from their previous rooms. In total, I have lived with six different people, all of them from different nationalities. Coming from having my own room in my home, I was trying to mentally prepare myself for the change of sharing the room with just one roommate. So, when I arrived to find more, it was quite a big shock.
However (if you can believe it), I had to sleep alone on the last day at the campus because my roommates had already left and the truth is that it was the weirdest and the saddest moment of the year. At that time I realized how much I would miss them. So, at the end of the year, I was able to realize the amazing relationship I had developed with my roommates and how much I will miss living with them next year.
<h3>The Education System</h3>
Another new thing that posed an important challenge at the beginning of the year was the educational system. In fact, the International Baccalaureate (IB) is a particular type of program that pushes you in developing your own skills, such as team working or the application of a topic.
The program is based on just six subjects. There is a particular focus on them to get you ready for the future. My previous school’s system was a study of 13 subjects. Changing to six specialized subjects, as the IB provides, represented an important step for me because it helped me realize the importance of focusing on a specific subject that is going to your interest in university.
<h3>New Experiences</h3>
EF Academy is also giving me the possibility to experience new and pleasant situations. For example, the relationship between the teachers and the staff. Teachers are always available to answer questions and resolve doubts. And the staff in the residence are constantly checking in on us. If we have any kind of problem, they are all there to help you.
A year seems quite long but by the last day of school, I realized how fast my first year passed and how many different things happened. I moved to Oxford with the hope that my life would change for the better, and that’s what actually happened.
I’ve made so many supportive friends from all over the world, I’ve very much enjoyed sharing the room with my roommates and I am completely sure of the decision I made when I choose the IB Diploma.
I would say that this is the summary of my first year with EF Academy Oxford. It’s been great to be a beginner. I hope you will be able to enjoy your first year as much as I did, and for any advice, don’t hesitate to ask!

This is the summary of my first year with EF Academy. It's been great to be a beginner. I hope you will be able to enjoy your first year as much as I did!

A summary of my first year with EF Academy - EF Academy Blog

A summary of my first year with EF Academy ‹ EF Academy Blog

A summary of my first year with EF Academy

A summary of my first year with ef academy

As a business student, the first aim of my pathway is to discover as much as possible on the subject, but not just through books. In fact, in my opinion one of the best ways of learning is throughout the real life: after I have studied the topic I will see it in person, observe how it works in a true work environment and how everything is organized and administrated. Due to this, on Friday 9th March, one of our Business teachers, Sam Tibbenham, organized a tour to the Mini’s Factory in Oxford, in order to find out everything on this successful business with a specific focus on production: production methods, quality, efficiency and productivity.
Plant Oxford is the birthplace for three specifics models: MINI’s Hatch, the 5 door Hatch and the MINI Clubman. What has made the experience fascinating is that Mini’s Factory is all based on technology. I have never been very passionate of cars, but this was definitely a “unique” experience. We started by seeing some of the fundamental parts of the complete process with a full explanation. For example, could you ever imagine how many “electric arms” there are just in the first section of the factory, where they build the different parts? Well, they have a total of 1,200 just in one section of the factory and each one of them is completely self-sufficient and coordinated with the others. The timing of the operation is precise to the last second so that the robots have enough time to complete the operation and change tool at the end of the robot’s arm to work on a different model which arrives approximately 60 seconds after the operation completes on the previous component. Just think that in an area the size of 14 football pitches (approximately 120,000 square meters), we saw maybe 20 people. It really seemed like science fiction!
We then moved to the assembly plant which was a massive conveyor belt. But not simply how you might think of small objects moving in front of you. This was a moving carpet on which employees stood and they moved with the car itself so that no time was lost at all between operations. Cars were hung at a precise level from above so that employees could stand or sit in the most comfortable position to maximize their efficiency and productivity. This was a trip that no text book could possible describe to you!
 
By Alessandra Di Nicola, from Italy, current student at EF Academy Oxford

We had a school tour to the Mini’s Factory in Oxford, to find out everything on this successful business with a specific focus on production.

School trip to the Mini factory - EF Academy Blog

School trip to the Mini factory ‹ EF Academy Blog

School trip to the Mini factory

School trip mini factory

<h4 style="text-align: left;">330 students, 60+ countries, one experience of a lifetime!</h4>
On Tuesday, September 4, EF Academy New York welcomed all new students to campus for Induction Week.  Each year, the nearly week-long series of events focuses on helping each student acclimate into their new home away from home.  
<img alt="New York campus greeting" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-12927" height="426" sizes="(max-width: 568px) 100vw, 568px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Greeting2.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Greeting2.jpg 568w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Greeting2-300x225.jpg 300w" width="568">
 
Group by group students and families arrived at the Thornwood campus, greeted by over 130 staff and a group of 53 student ‘storm’ leaders. From going on campus tours to settling into the residences to meeting new teachers, students began to get to know the campus and its community with their peers. 
Throughout the day, students and families met with their student success counselor, university advisor and members of the academic faculty. There were afternoon pickup basketball games in the gym or tennis and badminton on the tennis courts to help offset jetlag!  
The afternoon wrapped up with a farewell reception for parents in the courtyard before the students enjoyed dinner with the storm leaders and settling into their residence to unpack and decorate with their roommates.  
 
<img alt="Basketball" class="aligncenter wp-image-12928 size-full" height="464" sizes="(max-width: 568px) 100vw, 568px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Basketball1-e1536158783655.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Basketball1-e1536158783655.jpg 568w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Basketball1-e1536158783655-300x245.jpg 300w" width="568">
 
“I am very excited to meet all of our new students this week,” said George Stewart, Head of School.
“One area that we are particularly focused on this year is our residential community life curriculum called “MAPS”, which stands for Mindfulness, Awareness, Perspective, and Skills. I think that that is a fitting mantra for our school year, which is to try to be more mindful and to teach mindfulness, helping students be aware of their surroundings, helping them build an understanding of other people’s perspectives, and finally, the skills to navigate the world.” 
Another addition to this year is the Student Storm Leadership program that focuses on leadership training for returning students who are tasked to help new students feel comfortable in their new school.  
<img alt="New York campus" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-12926" height="426" sizes="(max-width: 568px) 100vw, 568px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Greeting.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Greeting.jpg 568w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Greeting-300x225.jpg 300w" width="568">
<img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-12929" height="577" sizes="(max-width: 567px) 100vw, 567px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Storm-Leaders-e1536158499271.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Storm-Leaders-e1536158499271.jpg 567w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Storm-Leaders-e1536158499271-295x300.jpg 295w" width="567">
 
“This year is our first year rolling out the Storm Leader program,” said Emily Aquina, Director of Activities. “We had 53 returning students come back to campus early to do a week of leadership training. They are fully prepared to lead their own groups of students and watching that process has been life-changing for me.” 
“My favorite part of being a storm leader is being able to meet all the students right when they arrive and being the first person they see and making them feel welcome here,” said Sophie from Mexico. 
Induction week will continue on for the rest of this week until the academic year begins on Monday, September 10th. In forthcoming days, students will have the opportunity to participate in a campus-wide scavenger hunt, continually meet with their student success counselor, sign up for courses, try out for sports and sign up for clubs, enjoy a disco under the stars in the campus courtyard. 
<img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-12932" height="343" sizes="(max-width: 568px) 100vw, 568px" src="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Ef_GropPhoto.jpg" srcset="https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Ef_GropPhoto.jpg 568w, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Ef_GropPhoto-300x181.jpg 300w" width="568">
 
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Welcome to all new students – we are excited you are now a part of our EF Academy New York family! </h3>

EF Academy New York welcomed all new students to campus for Induction Week 2018. The week-long series of events to help each student acclimate.

Welcome back EF Academy! Induction week in New York - EF Academy Blog

Welcome back EF Academy! Induction week in New York ‹ EF Academy Blog

Welcome back EF Academy! Induction week in New York

Welcome back ef academy induction week in new york

As students at <a href="https://www.ef.com/academy/campuses/new-york/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EF Academy New York,</a> many of us go to New York City often. Since our school is in a more suburban area, situated on top of a hill and surrounded by trees, it’s extremely different from urban New York City. While we enjoy spending time exploring neighborhood towns close to campus, it’s also fun to get away from the suburbs and spend time in NYC. For me, a typical weekend includes a nice balance of staying in to relax and study, and going out to shop, eat, or walk around. Sometimes, my friends and I go to nearby destinations like Tarrytown, where the streets are full of small businesses and restaurants run by friendly people, or to White Plains, a nearby town where the most popular cinema is.
On this particular weekend, my friend convinced me to go to New York City with him to do some shopping, walk around, and try out a new restaurant we heard about from a friend. NYC may be famous for sites like 5th Avenue and Times Square, but there’s much more to it than that. Here’s what a typical day is like for me when my friends and I visit Manhattan.
<h4>9:30 am: Off to New York City!</h4>
I’m meeting my friends in the lobby, where we’re waiting for our Uber to go to the train station, about ten minutes away. We’ll be in New York City in no time. When we arrive at the station, buy our tickets and hop on the train to the city. Once we get to Grand Central, we walk to the closest Starbucks for breakfast. You might think your city has a lot of Starbucks, but New York is on an entirely different level – there is literally a Starbucks on every corner.
As we wait for the shops to open, my friend and I start chatting about what we want to do for the rest of the day. When you visit New York City as a tourist, you’ll want to plan everything early so as to escape the long lines and crowds (as best you can). But, as people who go to NYC regularly, we just make a list of things that we want to do and plan from there. Today, shopping was a priority: he needed to get new shoes, a shirt, and a haircut while I needed to buy new clothes for the gym.
<h4>10:30 am: Bryant Park</h4>
After breakfast, we walked over to Bryant Park for bubble tea. While the park is small, but it’s a landmark with its tall trees and the stately New York Public Library right next door. Using this spot as a starting point helps us to navigate our way around the city. I still remember when my friend first tried bubble tea, how he was so confused about the texture of the bubbles. Sometimes this sort of culture shock is the most fun and interesting part about attending such an international school.
<h4>11:00 am: Shopping on 34th St.</h4>
After bubble tea, we headed down to 34th Street for shopping – this spot, in my opinion, is much better than battling the crowds on 5th Avenue. Some might think that New York City is just full of expensive brands and department stores, but it’s also home to thousands of smaller shops and boutiques. There is such a wide variety of stores where you can find anything you’ll ever need.
<h4>1:00 pm: East Village</h4>
After we checked off our shopping lists, we went over to East Village for the afternoon. East Village and the SoHo area are probably my favorite parts of the city. The neighborhoods are filled with rustic brick buildings, ivy-covered walls, cobblestone streets, banners flying from windows – it’s absolutely gorgeous. The area is fairly central, so the breeze from the rivers on either side is pleasant but not too cold. The sides of the buildings are covered with old fire escapes and there’s simultaneously a feeling of nostalgia and a unique trendiness. It’s one of my favorite places in town.
For lunch, we ate Korean fried chicken at a new restaurant, the one our friend had told us about. The diversity of cuisine in New York is amazing since it’s such an international city. It’s fun to be able to experience foods from all over the world with friends from school, because everyone has such different backgrounds and tastes depending on where they’re from. It’s even better when someone from a specific country is there to share their local cuisine with you and teach you about the special flavors and culinary traditions of their culture.
<h4>4:00 pm: Back to Grand Central</h4>
Days in New York City are exhausting because of all the walking we do, so we decide to take an early train back to campus. We head back to Grand Central Station and get milkshakes from Shake Shack, which is conveniently located just across from our train platform. (If you’ve never tried Shake Shack, you should add it to your list of must-do NYC things – you won’t be disappointed!) We hop back on the train, shopping bags in hand, and are back on campus one hour later to do homework and spend time with some other friends.
Every single time it’s slightly different, but New York City is a place that never disappoints. It’s truly unlike any other metropolitan city in the world. It’s amazing to see the way history has shaped it into what it is today – and it’s even more fun to see the sights alongside friends from around the world.
 
Written by Charlie Chow, former student at EF Academy New York.

Students at EF Academy New York enjoy its proximity to New York City, taking weekend trips to eat, shop, and explore.

Topics

Ef Academy

All posts from Ef Academy