Interview with former Kings Oxford student Patricio: co-founder of Prodi
In this student story, Patricio shares his journey from Mexico to studying at Kings Oxford to becoming a co-founder of Prodi, - a tool that uses AI to create internal communication podcasts for big corporates.
He talks about stepping out of his comfort zone, building independence, making international friendships, and discovering new passions — from science and coding to entrepreneurship and AI.
Q: Hi Patricio. You grew up in Mexico, what first motivated you to study abroad — and why the UK, Kings, and Oxford specifically?
I think everything goes back to football. When I was very young, I was a big fan of Chelsea, so I already felt connected to British culture through the Premier League.
When I was 14, I travelled from Mexico to the United Kingdom for a football camp. Coming from Mexico City — a huge city — and arriving in a smaller UK city felt like entering a completely different world. But I loved it. It was also the first time I really needed to use English, which became a huge motivation for me.
Later, I joined an international summer camp with students from all over the world. That experience really planted the seed for studying abroad long-term.
I originally dreamed of becoming a professional football player, but when I finished high school at 18, I realised that wasn’t going to be my path — so I focused on education instead.
As for Oxford, I thought: what better place to study than the city of Oxford, especially knowing it was home to the author of Narnia? Looking back, I’m incredibly happy with my choice. I can’t imagine it any other way.
Q: You spent a couple of years at Kings. How did you find your place in the community?
The first three months were tough — adjusting to a new country and culture takes time. But slowly, I became more comfortable.
In my first year, one of my closest friends was from Serbia — he was also my neighbour in student accommodation. Living around other students made the transition easier. It felt like a safe bridge between living with my parents and living independently abroad.
One of the best things was meeting people from all over the world. I even travelled to Malaysia with friends. Travelling with locals showing you their country is an incredible experience.
At Kings Education, we all shared a common goal — completing our A-levels — and that created a strong foundation for friendships and community.
Q: You moved into AI and machine learning through your entrepreneurial work. What’s your perspective on AI for students today?
It’s an incredibly exciting field, and it’s moving very fast. I don’t think anyone fully knows what things will look like in five or ten years.
Personally, I focus on areas that interest me, like programming. The key is staying curious and continuing to learn.
Q: What advice would you give to students interested in entrepreneurship?
Two resources really helped me.
The first was the book The Lean Startup by Eric Ries. It helped me understand entrepreneurship in a more structured, almost scientific way.
The second was learning from Y Combinator. They produce great free content online about startups and business building.
My advice is simple: learn from people who are already sharing knowledge in the space. It helps you make better decisions about your future.
Q: For students who want to get into coding later in life, is that realistic?
Yes — coding is one of the most accessible fields to learn because there’s so much high-quality content online.
That said, it can be frustrating. Maybe 97% of the time things don’t work — but the 3% when they do is incredibly rewarding. If you enjoy problem-solving and can dedicate time to it, it’s absolutely possible to learn.
Q: When you think back to your time at Kings Oxford, what stands out most?
It really shaped me as a person. Living alone helped me understand myself better and discover new passions, especially science and maths. I loved studying physics, chemistry, and maths at A-level.
I also fell in love with Oxford’s cultural life — art exhibitions, open house art events, and meeting local artists.
One big turning point was during the UEFA Champions League final in Cardiff. My team, Real Madrid, was playing Juventus.
I didn’t have tickets, and none of my friends wanted to go — so I went alone just to experience the atmosphere. It sounds small, but it changed me. It showed me I could do things independently and still have a great time. That mindset stayed with me throughout my time in Oxford.
Q: What advice would you give to future Latin American students coming to Kings?
Two things:
1. Give yourself time
2. The cultural transition can be difficult. That’s normal. Embrace the new culture.
Try to understand what makes your new home special. Meet people, explore, and stay open-minded. I found joy in things I didn’t expect — sometimes in ways that reminded me of home, but differently.
