Student Profiles
Andre Hallack
Andre Hallack is studying for a DPhil in Healthcare Innovation and is a member of St Cross College. He was born in Juiz de Fora in the state of Minas Gerais.
How would you describe the city of Oxford?
It’s a cosy town, but there are lots of things to do! There are so many historical buildings – for people who like that, it’s amazing.
Can you describe a typical ‘day in the life’ at the University? What is your daily routine like?
Because my first year is a taught course, I have classes from 9am – 5pm. In the evenings I’ll go out to the pub, or eat out with college friends. I’m really busy as there’s a large workload, which is typical for my course. I tend to go to bed around midnight – it’s a busy week, but very rewarding!
What is your best memory so far?
Two weeks into my degree programme, on the Friday after a module had finished, all of my classmates and I went out for dinner together, and then went on to several college bars. It was the first time I really had the chance to get to know my classmates and get a sense of what university life here was going to be like. I hadn’t been to any of the other colleges before so that was an eye-opener.
What are the facilities and staff like within your department?
The facilities are amazing and the staff are very highly qualified. My Brazilian contemporaries agree that there are some cultural differences, as the staff here are more organised and punctual than those in our home country. However, they are very friendly and open to talking with their students. The contact time here is very good.
Are you a member of any student societies or clubs?
I’m a member of the Fencing Society and the Oxford Entrepreneurs.
Have you had the opportunity to try anything traditionally English?
Pub quizzes and the traditional Sunday roast dinner. I also went to see the Torpids rowing race. A Sunday roast is the only decent British meal I have tried!
What advice would you give to other Brazilian students considering graduate study at Oxford?
Usually Brazilians have an underdog complex, and think they won’t be able to attend an institution like Oxford. However, Brazilian students are very capable and could certainly excel at Oxford. So, I would say, if you’re thinking about applying, just go for it, and believe in yourself! Also, talk to potential supervisors before you apply – I had a very good experience with mine, which I found encouraging before application.
Diego Scardone
Diego Scardone is the Secretary of the Oxford University Brazilian Society. From Campinas, in the state of Sao Paulo, he is a member of St Antony’s College, studying for an MSc in Latin American Studies.
How would you describe the city of Oxford?
It is very old, very historic, whilst also being very intense and modern. It’s a contrast of good attributes! The University parks are amazing, and the cafes are always surprising, with poets and musicians performing on a daily basis. The graffiti art in Cowley reminds me of Brazil. The University makes you feel really welcome, the Latin American Centre helps too. They organize events that include film and food nights as well as talks from prominent academics, in this way connecting you with other Latin American enthusiasts from a wide range of academic backgrounds!
Can you describe a typical ‘day in the life’ at the University? What is your daily routine like?
I get up between 7.30 and 8am, to start work on my studies at 9am. I have at least six contact hours every week, in addition to reading and writing time. I study for one essay every two weeks, and I have research to prepare for weekly tutorials and presentations. I have a number of extra-curricular activities that I’m involved with; I’m the Executive Director of ABEP UK (The Association of Brazilian Post Graduate Students which reports on the number of Brazilian students in the UK and arranges events and conferences).
Are you a member of any student societies/clubs?
As well as my role as Secretary for the Brazilian Society, I am part of St Antony’s College cooperative, to develop cultural, social and political communities. I am also involved with the Film Society for developing countries, Global South.
Have you had the opportunity to do anything traditionally ‘English’?
I’m a fan of the full English breakfast, and a regular tea-drinker! I really enjoy activities that may not be considered traditionally British, but are a big part of the culture here, such as pubs, going to gigs, and summer picnics. I’m also interested in rugby.
What are the facilities and staff like within your department?
The Bodleian Library is amazing, and the academics are very approachable. The tutorials and seminars that are part of the Oxford education, particularly the 1-2-1 sessions, can be intense and daunting to begin with, but they get easier. Here, you are learning from some of the most knowledgeable people within your academic field, in the world!
Maria Cury
Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Maria Cury is a member of Linacre College and is studying for an MSc in Visual, Material and Museum Anthropology. She grew up in Florida in the United States of America.
Can you describe a typical ‘day in the life’ at the University? What is your daily routine like?
Last term, I had weekly essays, so much of my evening was spent reading and writing in the library. This term, I have more classes during the day, and fewer assignments, so my afternoons and evenings are spent getting to know Oxford with the friends I have met here. Next term will be much more focused on independent research for my dissertation.
What is your best memory so far?
My best memories so far are the conversations I have in the shared kitchen that my flatmates and I use. My college is very international, and among the twelve of us who share the kitchen, seven countries are represented. In the kitchen we really get to know one another as we cook our meals.
Do you plan to do any further study after completing your degree, or are you hoping to enter the workforce?
I hope to continue studying for a DPhil or a PhD after completing my MSc degree.
What are the facilities and staff like within your department?
The staff in my department are friendly and supportive, and are always willing to meet and provide new research opportunities. At the start of the year I was paired with several advisers to guide me in my transition to Oxford. The Pitt Rivers Museum is an incredible resource for me as an anthropology major, and the numerous libraries in Oxford ensure that I never have to purchase a single book.
Are you a member of any student societies/clubs?
I am the art coordinator for Linacre College, and I represent my program in the Anthropological Society. I take salsa lessons with the Dancesport Club as well.
What’s the main piece of advice you would give to other Brazilian students considering graduate study at Oxford?
Come to Oxford with an open mind, with curiosity, and with a sense of exploration! Oxford is welcoming, diverse, challenging, satisfying, innovative, and historic. Definitely apply, it is an opportunity to grow intellectually and personally.
Roberta Gregoli
Roberta Gregoli is from Campinas, São Paulo. Studying for a DPhil in Medieval and Modern Languages, she is a Clarendon Scholar, and also a recipient of the Santander Scholarship and The Queen's College's Cyril and Philips Long Studentship, which pays a full grant for tuition and living expenses each year.
How would you describe the city of Oxford?
A bubble where old English traditions are kept intact. The international community and the cultural life here are amazing, and college life makes it an animated environment.
Can you describe a typical ‘day in the life’ at the University? What is your daily routine like?
In the morning I check my emails and study at home until lunchtime, I then resume studying in the afternoon, at home, libraries or in a cafe. I always try to arrange lunch or dinner meetings with friends, as studying can be quite isolating.
What is your best memory so far?
I really enjoyed my parents visiting me in Oxford last year. It was their first trip to Europe, and they discovered, like I had, that everything is so different here. It allowed me to see Oxford afresh through their eyes. They met my supervisor, I took them around all the tourist spots in Oxford and we then went on to continental Europe, visiting Paris, Vienna and Budapest, where they watched me present an academic paper at an international conference!
What are the facilities and staff like within your department?
My department, the Sub-Faculty of Portuguese, unfortunately doesn't have a study room. This has not prevented me from having a wonderful experience with my department - it is a small community of very nice people! I use the Taylor Institution Library most of the time for my research or purchase books online when their collection does not comprise books I need.
Are you a member of any student societies/clubs?
Unlike in Brazil, extra-curricular activities are highly valued in the UK, which is great. I was previously MCR President at my college and am currently a member of the Brazilian Society. I’m also the founder and current President of the Women's Network of my master's alumni association, and the Erasmus Mundus Alumni Association (EMA). I am graduate representative in the Sub-Faculty of Portuguese in Oxford and have been involved in the organisation of Brazil Week, a week of cultural and academic events related to Brazil. I am also editor of the blog Subvertidas, which aims at creating public engagement with feminist thought and critique in Brazil.
Marcos Todeschini
Marcos Todeschini is studying for an MSc in Latin American Studies and is a member of St Antony’s College. He worked as a journalist before coming to Oxford.
How would you describe the city of Oxford?
I would describe it as warm (I mean the people, not the weather), beautiful and, most of all, silent. Coming from a never-stop, hectic-paced metropolis like São Paulo, the first thing that crossed my mind when I got here was: “where is the noise?”. Obviously, this is a positive point, especially considering that most people move here to study, and silence is more than welcome. Besides, I would describe the city as having a wonderful quality of life, with a lot of parks, entertainment options and – cherry of the pie – everything is within walking distance.
Can you describe a typical ‘day in the life’ at the University? What is your daily routine like?
I am not sure if I can describe a typical day because that would imply that I have some sort of routine – which is certainly not the case of my life in Oxford. Whereas I do have to follow some schedules (like classes, lectures and meetings), our time is very flexible and we are able to carry out our work very independently. So since I am not big a fan of routines, I set goals and deadlines at the beginning of each term – as opposed to a rigorous schedule – and adapt myself to meeting those deadlines according to my own needs. Usually my day would consist of all (or some) of the following tasks: attending a lecture or a seminar, collecting information for my dissertation, studying for final exams, writing essays, going to the gym and socializing with friends – not necessarily in this order.
What is your best memory so far?
You come to Oxford to study, but you realize that many of your richest experiences happen in an informal environment when you exchange ideas and experiences with your colleagues. I think that the collegiate structure of the University makes it easier for that to happen. A few days after I moved to Oxford I was walking home from a party with some housemates that also happen to be my classmates. It was a cold but very clear starry winter night and we were slowly walking home talking and laughing. At some point one of my friends made us stop and look up to the sky to appreciate the full moon and the stars. I guess it was a moment that touched me for some reasons. Firstly, because I was having such a good time with those people I had met (and that eventually became my best friends here). Secondly, because I realized I was able to take a break and start enjoying life and appreciate simple things like a starry night. And thirdly, because it just came to me that that week was just the start of a great year ahead.
What’s the main piece of advice you would give to other Brazilian students considering graduate study at Oxford?
I would suggest that first of all you give it a lot of thought on what you want to study, why and how it will make an impact on your career and on your projects for the future. This will be the backbone of all the long process of application that lies ahead. Once you have a coherent package as to know what you want to study and what you have plans to do, it will be much easier to actually achieve your goals – not only during the application, but also during your academic experience here.
Maria Luiza Aberceb Carvalho Gatto
Maria Gatto is originally from Salvador, Bahia and is the President of the Oxford University Brazilian Society. After completing an MSc in Politics Research, she is now studying for a DPhil in Politics - focusing on the causes and effects of gender quotas in Latin America, especially Argentina and Brazil.
Why did you decide to come to Oxford?
Having completed my undergraduate studies in Barnard College, Columbia University in New York City, I felt like a change of pace would be beneficial for my academic development. When I received confirmation that my Supervisor would be Dr. Timothy Power, I knew that Oxford was the best option for continuing my education.
The level of academic support at Oxford is superb! Having worked closely with my Supervisor throughout the year allowed me to become a much better academic: more critical of the literature, more aware of methodological issues, and more confident about my writing.
What do you do outside of your research/studies for enjoyment?
The city of Oxford has a lot to offer in terms of cultural activities, and I try to take advantage of that. I have attended many outstanding events – some which are quite unique to the Oxford experience (such as Romeo and Juliet at the Oxford Castle, The Merchant of Venice on the river, and operas at colleges and churches). The Oxford University Brazilian Society always sponsors events and the Brazilians (and Brazil-enthusiasts) on campus often get to eat feijoada and drink caipirinhas.
Are you involved in any student societies?
I made some very good friends through the Oxford University Brazilian Society. I was the President for the 2012-2013 academic year, and worked to further engage the University with Brazilian culture and tradition. I also row for St. Antony’s College. I had never done rowing, but despite the cold and early practices, I have extremely enjoyed taking part in this sport and it has been a great way to make friends!
What do you see yourself doing after completing your degree at Oxford?
I’m hoping to begin a career as an academic at a research-orientated institution, and work for the promotion of girls’ and womens’ empowerment in Latin America.
What do you feel is unique about Oxford?
Oxford is unique for many reasons, but I would have to say the college-system and centuries of history and tradition. Having been a member of Corpus Christi College, founded in 1517, I had the opportunity to dine in academic gown at High Table with my professors, have intellectual discussions over Port, and celebrate Christmas listening to the choir. College parties, cheese and wine-tasting events and other college activities gave me the chance to interact with students from a diverse range of disciplines. Now at St. Antony’s College, established in 1960, I’m experiencing Oxford in a very different way. The graduate, international environment has created various opportunities for political discussion, causing me to rethink my academic work in many instances.
What are the academic differences and similarities between Oxford and Brazil?
Studying at Oxford is very different from studying in Brazil. A student is expected to work very independently and maintain high academic standards. I think that the Oxford system is very complementary to the Brazilian one, as they teach students to think in different ways (i.e. content vs. critical, analytical thinking). I highly recommend the experience.
Main photograph by Hope Stockton, MSt History of Art and Visual Culture (Kellogg College)