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Learning from the World’s Best
BGS Old Boy Marcus Ray ’18 will become one of the rare students to study at the University of Oxford and Harvard University in the same year.
After graduating from BGS in 2018, Ray was accepted to Oxford to study a BA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. He graduated in June this year and will attend Harvard for two semesters, having been awarded the prestigious von Clemm Fellowship.
The fellowship is given to one Oxford finalist or recent graduate each year to study at Harvard for a year.
Ray said a condition of the fellowship is that one or more courses must be in something unfamiliar to you.
“I’ve decided to take Swahili and potentially Arabic, alongside courses like Challenges to American National Security, Chinese Foreign Policy, and Public Policy Modules,” he said. During his time at Oxford, the 2018 BGS School Captain learned from some of the world’s leading academics.
“I’ve also had a chance to engage in many interesting and unique activities, from travelling to Jordan and Lebanon on behalf of an international human rights consultancy to editing for a quarterly political review.
“I’ve made fantastic friends at my college and beyond from the UK and around the world – all of whom are very knowledgeable and passionate about the subjects they study.
“Oxford is richly steeped in history. Old libraries, formal halls and the like are not for everyone, but they do imbue student life with a sense of mystery and allure you won’t find in many other places.”
Reflecting on his BGS journey, Ray said the School provided him with an excellent platform to pursue different opportunities and interests.
“My experiences at BGS and the people who supported me were very influential in my decision to study at Oxford and Harvard.
“All my Year 12 teachers were amazing – their guidance and the important role they played in my academic journey have served me well in the past few years.”
