Tereza Maláčová

I have been dreaming about studying abroad ever since I first visited the UK to attend a summer language school for two short weeks back in the summer of 2012. Five years later, my dreams would come true as I managed to navigate through the admissions process of the University of Oxford in such a way that earned me an offer to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics, a course that originated in Oxford in the early 1920s. This year I have successfully finished my studies at Gymnázium Jihlava and thus met the conditions of my offer. I have never before studied abroad so coming to Oxford is a new experience on many levels – not only am I beginning my university studies but I am also trying to adapt to functioning in a different language and to a whole new way of teaching. While the decision to apply to Oxford was not an easy one and came in a last-minute manner as I wasn't initially certain I had the necessary qualities for a school of such renown (and frankly I am still doubtful at times), it was preceded by a much harder choice – which course to apply for. I am interested in both sciences and humanities and I considered many different ranging from Physics and Mathematics to History or Linguistics. I ended up choosing PPE because it covers quite a wide range and both History and Maths, two of my favourite subjects, would be utilised. In my free time, up until now I used to do synchronised figure skating. Although I intend to continue skating during vacations, I hope to find new hobbies in Oxford (Quidditch is a must-try!). Synchronised skating will, nonetheless, always have a place in my heart. My more academic extra-curricular activities included multiple high school competitions, most notably the International Linguistic Olympiad that I've taken part in this year and earned a silver medal.