Anna Steiner
Anna joined the International Study Centre in September 2008. She had wanted to study abroad since she was 10 – and came to d'Overbroeck's to improve her English whilst also studying other subjects, such as Science, Maths, French and Geography.
Lessons and learning
While she's been at d'Overbroeck's, Anna has particularly appreciated discovering a liking for Biology – a subject she had not enjoyed before: 'I really love Biology now ... In lessons we don't only talk about Biology, we also look at plants and organisms ... It's really interesting and interactive.'
‘You feel like you're part of the community here’
Obviously, the quality of English teaching is very important to Anna. And she feels she's made a great deal of progress in her language skills. 'The way English is taught is very different [from Germany] ... Soon after being in England I started thinking in English, which is true for most other students as well.'
Living in Oxford
Anna lives close to the College, as part of a host family. How has she found this experience? 'I find it really amazing! My host family has three other children from the ISC, so we can do our homework together and help each other, or go out together.' She's also enjoyed living in Oxford: 'Even though it's a city, it has many green places and there are many facilities like sports centres ... As there are a lot of international students you feel like you're part of the community, here.'
The d'Overbroeck's environment
‘d'Overbroeck's is very friendly and communicative ... If somebody has a problem, everyone's trying to help.’
And how would she describe the atmosphere at d'Overbroeck's? 'Very friendly and communicative ... If somebody has a problem, everyone's trying to help. We have a lot of fun, but of course we also work hard.'
Outside classes, Anna has taken part in the Study Centre's busy activities programme, and played a main part in the annual pantomime – a great success, and one of the most memorable experiences of her year.
Anna left d'Overbroeck's in June 2009 to study the European Baccalaureate, in order to return to the same system used in Germany. Ultimately, her ambition is to work in the travel business – so that she can continue to use the language skills she's so enjoyed acquiring.
