Thanking the donors that make life at Keble College possible
WHT scholars at Keble College (left to right): Micaela Flores Lanza, Yawar Abbas, Giri Rajahram, Zuzana Vargová, Nandita Venkatesan (alum), Maya Sherman, and Su Zun Mon. At the formal dinner to meet their college sponsors: Sloane Robinson Foundation and Martin Robinson
I come from Slovakia, a small country in the heart of Europe. Not many people know about it, so I often start with basic facts. Found less than 30 years ago, as an independent state, we are very young. The unfortunate communist heritage has left the country vulnerable. But we also got lucky and were given the opportunity to become a member of the European community. As a result, Slovakia grew from a poor and volatile country to a democratic middle-income state, where we witnessed spectacular economic growth and a rise in living standards for many. But the truth is that not for all. Corruption, inefficiencies, and persisting inability to adopt reforms in education, health, and social care, together with irresponsible fiscal policies, have been tormenting the country since I can remember.
The ability to see inspiration abroad and witness the fast transformation of the country, together with the intimate size of the 5,5 million population, brewed together a belief that I might change what I do not like. Since then, I have been searching for ways to do so; going back and forth, looking, and living outside of my country, only to come back with ideas and determination to change what does not work well. I lived in Prague and Copenhagen, searched for more profound knowledge in Netherlands and Italy, moved from one corner of the country to another one. And now, there I was – standing in the beautiful lounge of the warden’s quarters at Keble College of Oxford University, sharing my story with the warden, senior academic representatives, and the people who made this possible – donors and supporters of WHT and Keble College - Sloane Robinson Foundation and Martin Robinson.
I was not alone; together with me, five fellow Keblits, inspiring WHT scholars sharing their dreams and stories of why they came to Oxford. A Pakistani diplomat, Bolivian energy engineer, Myanmar MBA student, a medical doctor from Malaysia, an Israeli studying social science of the Internet. I met these people just less than three months ago, but since then, we have built something unique – honest and strong friendships that resembles that of family.
After welcome drinks, introductions, and meeting our donors, we proceeded to the great dining hall of Keble to enjoy a formal dinner together. Formal dinners belong among the most popular traditions in Oxford; however, this night was special as we were invited to dine at the high table together with academic staff, donors, and WHT representatives. Time passes fast at such events, especially when caught in conversations with accomplished people. Over a coffee at the senior common room, which is otherwise accessible only for fellows teaching at Keble, we continued our debates on climate change, development in Africa, and causes of the rising polarization in Europe.
To be honest, most of my Oxford days do not look like this. They are full of lectures, readings, active discussions with people from all around the world, project teamwork, or hectic biking to attend a speaker’s event at the Oxford Union or dinner with friends. There is no day like the other, and the dinner was no exception. Another precious piece of colourful and varied experience that can only be lived in Oxford.
