Phoebe from Indonesia is currently studying A-levels at Kings Oxford, where she is taking Maths, Further Maths, Art and Physics. In this interview, she shares how her time at Kings has helped her explore new academic interests, discover a passion for engineering, and enjoy life in the student-friendly city of Oxford.
Q: Can you introduce yourself and tell us what you are studying?
A: Hi, my name is Phoebe and I’m from Indonesia. I’m currently studying A-levels in Maths, Further Maths, Art and Physics at Kings.
Q: What are your plans for university?
A: Initially, I chose Maths, Art and Physics because I didn’t want to study product or industrial design. However, since coming to Kings, I discovered an interest in engineering.
That experience opened my eyes and made me want to deepen my knowledge in areas that involve analysis and calculations, which is one of the reasons why I decided to take Further Maths as well.
At the moment, I don’t have a very specific path in mind yet. I prefer to keep my options open and stay flexible so that I can explore different opportunities in the future.
Q: What do you like most about studying at Kings?
A: One of the things I like most is the atmosphere. It’s very calm and relaxing, and everyone is very friendly and approachable. It’s easy to talk to teachers, staff and other students.
Even though people come from many different backgrounds, it’s surprisingly easy to make friends here. Everyone has different personalities and experiences, which makes meeting people really interesting.
Q: How is the academic experience at Kings?
A: Academically, there are many options available here. In my home country, subjects like Further Maths or Art aren’t offered in the same way, so coming here allowed me to broaden my horizons and explore new subjects.
Q: How do you like living in Oxford?
A: I really like Oxford. It’s a very student-friendly city and it feels safe to walk around and explore.
The city is also quite small and convenient. The city centre is about 20 minutes away on foot or just 5–10 minutes by bus, which makes it easy to get around.
Q: Has living in Oxford helped you become more confident?
A: Yes, definitely. I can sometimes be quite shy, especially when talking to strangers. But being here has made it much easier to interact with people and feel comfortable meeting new friends.
Q: What do you enjoy about the atmosphere in Oxford?
A: Many people say they don’t like the weather, but I actually enjoy it. I especially like the rain — when it’s drizzling outside, it creates a very calm and relaxing atmosphere.
