Hear from our Students: A Year in Oxford
Maria Júlia Dantas on Life in the St Clare’s Pre-IB Programme
Are you thinking about applying to St Clare’s? You are in the right place. Today, we sit down with Maria Júlia Dantas, a Brazilian student who spent the 2023–2024 academic year in Oxford as part of St Clare’s Pre-IB Programme, a foundation programme designed for students aged 15–17 who wish to prepare for the IB Diploma, helping develop key skills and attributes that are fundamental to IB study.
In this interview, Maria Júlia shares her first hand experience of life at St Clare’s, from academic challenges to cultural immersion, offering an honest insight into what studying at St Clare’s really means. Now back in Brazil and pursuing medicine in São Paulo, she reflects on how that year in Oxford shaped her path.
What years did you study at St Clare’s Oxford, and what programme were you in?
I studied at St Clare’s during 2023–2024, in the Pre-IB programme.
What was the biggest difference between studying at St Clare’s and studying somewhere else before?
I think the biggest difference between St Clare’s and the other schools I studied at in Brazil, including the American School of Recife, is the size of the classes. Most class groups at St Clare’s have fewer than ten people, which means every student receives a very personalised learning experience and is actively encouraged to participate. That level of individual attention is something I had never experienced before.
Looking back, what study habits helped you the most during the programme, and is there anything you would change about the way you approached your studies?
The habit that helped me the most was studying a little every single day. That was made easier by the fact that we had supervised study almost every weekday. Because of that routine, I never fell behind in class, and I never felt desperate when exams arrived. Consistency really made all the difference. If I could go back and change something, or better improve something, I would definitely use more AI tools to generate practice questions for me on each subject. I discovered later that answering questions is, for me, a much more engaging and effective way to consolidate learning. I wish I had used that approach from the start.
Did you participate in any clubs, sports, or activities outside class?
Yes, throughout my year at St Clare’s I took part in various CAS activities. I tried Football, Gym, Boxing, First Aid, and a Pets and Plants group. It was a wonderful way to explore new interests and meet people outside my usual circle.
How did you balance studying with your social life?
My daily study habit was key here as well. Because I kept on top of my work throughout the week, I always had free time on weekends to relax and spend time with friends without any guilt or stress. Balance did not come from cutting things out it came from being consistent during the week.
When did you decide you wanted to study medicine?
I do not even remember making a specific decision. Ever since I was a little girl, I was inspired by my father’s profession and loved playing doctor. Medicine has always been my first choice, and nothing has ever made me doubt it.
What advice would you give to students who want to study medicine?
My main advice is to keep your deeper reason the one that made you choose this path clearly in mind at all times. The journey is demanding and involves an enormous amount of study, so genuine motivation is what keeps you going when things get difficult. That said, there will also be many deeply meaningful moments along the way that remind you why you started. Equally important: take care of your mental health. Staying calm and enjoying the learning process is just as valuable as having strong theoretical knowledge.
What skills from St Clare’s helped you the most in university?
The adaptation skills I developed at St Clare’s have been the most valuable. When I moved to São Paulo to study medicine, I had to adjust to a new city, a new home, new friends, and entirely different academic content much like when I arrived in Oxford. Having already gone through that process once gave me a clear advantage. I knew how to adapt, and that made everything less overwhelming.
What was the most valuable thing you learned while studying at St Clare’s?
The most valuable thing I learned was how to be independent dealing with problems on my own, from tidying my room to making reservations and scheduling appointments. Beyond that, living alongside friends from all over the world taught me to genuinely appreciate cultural differences rather than just tolerate them. That shift in perspective has stayed with me.
Maria Júlia’s story is just one of many that have begun within the walls of St Clare’s Oxford. Whether it’s the academic growth, the newfound independence, or the lasting connections made along the way, the experience leaves a mark that goes far beyond the programme itself. Could your story be next?
Written by Antonio (Pre-IB 26)