John Locke Institute - Oxford

Elizabeth W.

Attending the 2023 JLI Junior Program and 2024 Senior Program at Oxford was truly a privilege and extraordinary experience that expanded my intellectual capacity, as the programs offered a unique blend of intellectual challenges, thought-provoking discussions, and extremely engaging lectures. The opportunity to explore topics in philosophy, politics, psychology, and economics in such an intellectually stimulating environment really helped me refine my own beliefs about certain topics and articulate my ideas with clarity and confidence. I was surrounded by bright students, supportive interns, and speakers with controversial ideas. Overall, I really recommend the program to anyone looking to go home confused.

Dorothy W.

I attended John Locke's summer school in Oxford on PPE, which is a fabulous experience both with the courses and people. One of the thing that made me like their courses the most is that their lectures and seminars were complementary for each other. With professors giving university level lectures, while teachers from Oxford or other privilege institutes providing further relative discussions, students are able to gain a in-depth and extensive knowledge. John Locke also have a group of exceptional scholars who are really a pleasure for high school students to get in touch with. They hold a sincere attitude toward traditional values, like critical thinking, yet at the same time they touch deep onto contemporary debates, such as gender and abortion. In my own experience, I was able to acquaint with an abundant group of peers sharing my interest of the world from different cultural background. The discussions with them are also one of life time experiences for me.

Dani V. O.

I'm in Year 9 from Hong Kong and recently attended the first John Locke summer school in Singapore in 2024. The experience was immensely enriching as it allowed me to engage deeply in discussions that expanded my understanding of complex topics.
The accommodation at the Paradox Hotel was also ideal, conveniently located near our teaching centers and close to shopping centers and public transport, making it easy to explore the city during our free time. There were also interns who were very friendly and helped alot throughout my time there.
This summer school was a perfect setting for personal growth and academic exploration. I highly recommend it to other students looking to deepen their understanding and explore new academic fields without any hesitation.

Ted C.

I was fortunate enough to gain a place on the John Locke Institute’s visiting scholars programme in Washington DC in the spring of 2024 and it was truly a first-class experience. The program has an excellent blend of meeting academics, practitioners, lobbyists and think tank policy experts, all of whom have fantastic insight as to how the Capital works and what policies are currently trending. My fellow participants on the course were a varied and highly accomplished group from all over the world - Germany, Singapore, Australia, France to name but a few – with the key thing in common being a keen interest in academics, politics and current affairs. As the group is kept deliberately small, we all had excellent exposure to those we met, and it was a great opportunity to develop intellectual flexibility around ideas which were new to me. As we lived together in a lovely DC townhouse, we were able to debate new concepts and discuss the coursework in a lively and intellectual fashion, a fantastic opportunity to do so with others who shared a passion for the social sciences. We had plenty of free time to spend exploring America’s capital, including a segway tour, trips to the Georgetown campus and visiting the vast array of museums and public buildings. Furthermore, the course is held during the beautiful cherry blossom season making it the perfect time of year to explore a truly captivating place.

I have just finished my first semester at Bristol University, and I find myself comparing the vastly different approaches to education between UK university and the John Locke Institute. The immersive and full program on offer at the Institute fosters intellectual curiosity and includes meeting world leading professors from George Mason and Georgetown Universities as well as policy experts in the think tank world. Spending time with Congressmen and Senators tops off the real-world experience and being able to do all of this whilst in Washington DC, the world’s political hub, is hugely stimulating. The quality of education the John Locke Institute offers in just one month is far beyond what the Russel Group universities in the UK can provide. The difference does not just come in the high quality and interactivity core to the way you are taught on the gap year programme, but the fact that whilst you’re learning and assimilating these ideas, the Institute helps you to nurture lateral and flexible ways of approaching problems in a manner I had not experienced before. My time with the John Locke Institute has been one of the highlights of my year, and I am extremely grateful for the time I had with them.

isabelle

One of the best summer programs I have ever done. All the professors were so smart and inspiring, and it was wonderful to learn and debate with people who were just as passionate as myself. Oxford was an absolutely lovely backdrop too, and there were so many opportunities for us to explore the city and beyond!

Mohammad U.

I joined the John Locke Institute first at the PPE Summer School held in Singapore this year. It was an incredibly transformative and educational experience. I was concerned at first because it was my first summer school, but the lectures, seminars, and conversations were so welcoming that I felt at ease. Faculty, interns, and students from around the world established an encouraging and collaborative environment.
Beyond lectures and seminars, the wonderful places they took us to in Singapore provided a unique dimension to the experience, making it unforgettable. One of the most enjoyable aspects of this program was meeting people from approximately 20 countries, each with their unique perspectives, views, and curiosity. This diverse international community made me feel included and enriched my experience. It was a truly inspiring experience, and the lessons, memories, and friendships I made here are truly unforgettable and will stay with me for a lifetime.

Doria C.

I recently attended the PPE Singapore Summer School, and it was an incredible experience for me. The lectures were engaging, delivered by extremely knowledgeable professors, and the challenges that my fellow students brought up were fascinating to discuss. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to learn more about politics, philosophy, and economics, and it was an eye-opening event.

Gurnoor K.

My journey with the John Locke Institute has been very immersive and constructive, leaving a positive impact on my personal as well as academic development.

I participated in the John Locke Global Essay Writing Competition 2024 and was shortlisted in the Philosophy category. I was also accepted for the John Locke PPE Summer School in Singapore, where I had an exceptional experience.

The faculty at John Locke, including the interns, the management and professors like Mr. Martin Cox, Dr. Tom Palmer and Dr. Tomoki Fujji were professional and yet, always available. They took upon each and every question, and encouraged us to not only accept but to understand the beliefs of other people even if they are contradictory. The lectures and discussions combining economics, political aspects and philosophical ideas were very interesting. From recognising common fallacies, economic trade, cost and exchange, to philosophical and political discussions of property rights, consent and it's true meaning, every topic and discussion left me with something to think about the working of the current world.

The cohort of students I was part of were exceptional and carried forward every idea and debate with immense maturity. They were open to challange and yet, learn to accept every idea and belief, which may not be their own. My experience was truly elevated by socializing with such a great selection of peers.

What the John Locke Institute is providing to students like me who aspire to not only grow academically, but also personally, is commendable. I admire the experiences it continues to give and I'm looking forward to more opportunities like this in the future.