Oxford changes everything you thought you knew about education

Stepping onto the grounds of Magdalen College feels like entering another world. The air is calm, the stone walls ancient, and everywhere you look you sense that for centuries, ideas born here have gone on to change the world. This year, twelve students and alumni from NEWTON University spent a week in this environment.

Oxford is not a backdrop. It’s a place that challenges the way you think. Every day starts with a lecture or a workshop, yet the real learning happens elsewhere — in the hallways, over dinner, or during late evening walks.

“Attending the NEWTON in Oxford Summer School was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made — both professionally and personally. The week I spent in the heart of Oxford pushed me forward in ways I didn’t expect,” says Lenka Hýbl, graduate of the MSc Modern Marketing programme. “I experienced the authentic Oxford style of teaching, absorbed knowledge and insight, and was inspired by the attitude of the lecturers.”

Learning to speak with respect

Ágnes Rummer, a student of Global Business and Management, talks about empathy — how twelve people from different countries and backgrounds became a team in just a few days.

“If someone struggled with a group task, we didn’t turn away but supported one another instead. Even though there were language barriers, everyone was patient with me, and I appreciated that deeply,” she recalls.

“What made the programme truly special was that we could be part of authentic Oxford life and truly experience it for a whole week. It wasn’t just about studying. Evenings often meant shared dinners or a drink together, followed by a half-hour walk around St. Magdalene College — I could never quite find my way back to my room,” she laughs.

“We did every activity together, so no one ever felt lonely. Oxford also taught me a rare but valuable skill — that even after a night out in the pubs, a handwritten essay still makes it onto the table the next day.”

Every day a different lesson

The programme is built on experiential learning. Lectures alternate with debates and teamwork. There’s no passive listening; every participant is part of the discussion.

“There were moments when I felt that some tasks were beyond me,” Ágnes admits. “But the others proved me wrong. I learned that with the right people around me, I can do far more than I think.”

For Mário Ábel, graduate of the MBA programme in Business Management, the Summer School brought professional inspiration above all. “The entire programme was marked by a positive spirit, full of meetings and sharing among participants with different professional and life experiences who chose to step out of their routines and open themselves to new insights and experiences.

“The lectures on leadership, artificial intelligence, and sustainable business were especially valuable to me, and I see them as key in the context of today’s trends. I also greatly appreciated the opportunity to meet people connected to Oxford and to experience writing and defending an essay in the local academic style.”

Stepping into the same river twice

Jasmine Cehulová joined the programme twice. “I’d describe Oxford as a ‘twice-in-a-lifetime experience’, because I decided to take part not once but twice. From both weeks, in both years, I brought home irreplaceable memories, formed remarkable connections, and — most importantly — discovered more of myself. This journey was a gift I gave to my own growth, a spark that deepened my desire to keep becoming better.”

For Jasmine, Oxford isn’t only about studying — it’s about courage. “Stepping out of your comfort zone to present your ideas in another language, tasting a fragment of true Oxford student life even for a few days, and finding the motivation to become the best version of yourself,” she says.

A week that keeps going

The final day of the Summer School belongs to presentations. Participants stand before an academic panel to share the results of their work. The tension in the room is tangible, but once the first presentation begins, the atmosphere changes. There is respect — and shared pride.

Lenka says the week taught her something no textbook ever could. “I made wonderful friendships, but I also learned a lot about myself. Group workshops, discussions, and presentations in a foreign language were a real boost to my confidence. If you want to experience one of the most inspiring weeks of your life, full of challenges and unforgettable moments, go for it. I already know I’ll do it again someday.”

Mário adds, “The Oxford Summer School was an inspiring study stay filled with diverse activities and enriched by the unique atmosphere of the university town. The programme exceeded my expectations.”

Chancellor Anna Plechatá Krausová concludes their words with a reflection:

“Diamonds are formed under pressure — under precisely calibrated pressure. The medieval stone arches and carved wood panels of Oxford’s buildings create an atmosphere where pressure and performance drive both academic and personal mastery. I’m incredibly proud that each year we can immerse ourselves in this atmosphere with a small group of selected NEWTON students.”