Set in the very heart of Oxford, embraced by quads, cobbled lanes and green meadows, Merton College is a special place. Now, it is wholly prepared to welcome the newest students to study in its wood-panelled halls and arched cloisters. The next two weeks will see a plethora of nationalities and interests descend on the college: ORA’s expert teachers are excited to be discussing a great variety of subjects, from behavioural science to finance management, by way of public speaking and International Development, with people who are passionate about learning more. And that is just inside the classroom— the students at Merton will also be hearing from guest speakers, taking part in workshops in classical singing, and enjoying numerous excursions, including to the award-winning restaurant Le Manoir. Among Oxford students, Merton College’s academic emphasis has earned it the moniker of ‘the place fun goes to die’; and while we cannot comment on the veracity of this during term-time, it certainly will not be true for ORA students.

Between making friends, learning about new cultures, exploring the beauties of classical Oxford, and diving deeper into the subjects that most interest them, this will not be a session for students to forget. We can’t wait for it to begin!