By Liam Edward Thurlow, Virginia, United States
Liam joined our pre-college summer programme in 2024. A high school student from Virginia, United States, he chose the Business & Finance course, one of OSP’s business summer programs for high school students, and quickly became one of the most engaged and reflective voices in his cohort. In the blog below, Liam shares his firsthand experience of what made his time at the OSP Scholars Programme truly transformative. Here’s what he had to say:
My time at Oxford during OSP’s summer programme was a time I will never forget. From making lifelong friends, to debating at the Oxford Union, to flying a plane, every part of my experience was unforgettable and I’d like to share some of my favourite aspects.
Inside a Business Summer Program for High School Students
The most important aspect of OSP is obviously the curriculum, and let me tell you, it doesn’t disappoint. I was a student in Business and Finance and thoroughly enjoyed both parts of the class.
The fellows/instructors are amazing, the work is fun and is student driven, and the class is less stressful and more genuinely engaging. You are there to explore what interests you, not memorize stuff for a test.
Both halves of the class involved a student-based project for final presentations, and students are given incredible freedom to decide what to do their projects on (I can promise I would not be allowed to recreate my finance project in a normal classroom).
Overall, the classes are great, not stressful, and they emphasize teamwork and genuine interest in subjects.
Exploring Oxford and Beyond the Classroom
Now, if you have researched the program, you will know that the extracurricular activities are incredible. As a side note, many activities I enjoyed aren’t scheduled extracurriculars; you are given a great deal of freedom to explore Oxford.
There is a great culture of trust between students and staff which allows for this freedom. The staff are incredible and will accommodate almost anything: when I needed to miss an excursion for religious reasons, they let me, no questions asked.
Now back to the extracurriculars, my personal absolute favourite thing was flying a plane. I mean come on, flying a plane over Oxford is pretty cool. We also explored the city, found delicious restaurants, went into London, among many other fun things.
Because I was doing Business and Finance, my excursion was to the London financial district where we met with executives at Moody’s and Barclays. It was a lot of fun. It was valuable for my career as one day I might be on the trading floor of Barclays.
Visits like this are what make finance summer programs for high school students feel real: you’re not just learning theory, you’re seeing where it’s used.
Building Global Connections and Lasting Friendships
The connections, the life experience, the value you will get out of OSP are immeasurable. After my time at OSP, I now have connections all across the world, from Dubai, to Shanghai, to Islamabad, to Al Qassim. I have friends all across the globe.
The students on this programme form a special bond with one another. Even now, I talk daily with many of my friends who live thousands of miles away from me. On top of enjoying these people’s company, they are also very valuable acquaintances to have. If I’m ever in Dubai and need a place to stay, I know who to call. Same goes for all of the aforementioned cities.
It is incredibly eye-opening to learn about different cultures, especially for me as an American who lives in a very homogeneous part of the US.
My friend and I still talk almost every day about theology, as he is a devout Muslim and I’m a devout Catholic. He has totally changed my mind on many issues, as he has a lived experience that I would only get to learn about by meeting him at OSP.
Overall, I’d do almost anything to experience OSP again for the first time. I am glad to have enjoyed my time with a very special group of students and staff. I hope those who go in the coming years have as much fun as I did.
Considering a Business Summer Programme?
If you’re comparing business summer programs for high school students, Liam’s story shows what a hands-on, project-based course can look like, from student-led presentations to a visit to London’s financial district.
If you’re weighing up summer programs high school students can attend, Liam’s advice is simple: pick one that gives you real freedom to explore.
Explore the OSP Scholars summer programme, see dates and fees for 2027, or apply now.
