John Locke Institute Reviews 118

great experience

My experience at the John Locke Institute Summer School was an intellectually stimulating and overall a memorable experience! I believe that the structure of the course is comprehensive as it balances the current trends as well as the necessary fundamentals of PPE. Having discussed my impressions with other students I’ve come to the conclusion that open-mindedness is a prerequisite for enjoying the unique nature of JLI’s Summer School. That is because JLI’s summer school isn’t a strictly theoretical programme but one that requires constant engagement with intellectual challenges to one's thinking raised by peers and faculty. It’s a great lesson in critical thinking but also in respect in any type of intellectual debate which are complementary virtues nurtured by the JLI. The experience is enhanced by the extracurricular activities like punting and college visits or debate at Oxford Union which enabled us to see what day to day life at Oxford is like. The Summer School was also a great opportunity to meet brilliant students from around the world who exposed me to new ideas and quickly became my friends. Overall, I would recommend JLI to any student looking for a rare opportunity to learn and engage with PPE in a practical manner by being exposed to dilemmas and complexity of modern world.

I had the privilege of attending the History, Politics, and Law summer school in Oxfordshire hosted by the John Locke Institute, and it was a very enriching experience was.

First and foremost, the quality of the lecturers was exceptional. Lecturers like Stephen Davies and Jamie Whyte brought a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to their respective fields, making each session engaging and thought-provoking. Their ability to simplify complex concepts without sacrificing depth was truly impressive. They encouraged critical thinking and fostered stimulating discussions among the participants, which added immense value to the entire program.

The setting at Radley College, while not luxurious, was adequate and served its purpose well. The accommodations were comfortable, providing a decent place to rest after a day of intense learning. The food was okay. The John Locke Institute's organization of the program was pretty good overall, though rough at times.

Moreover, the program's balance between lectures, precepts, and group activities was just right. It allowed us to absorb a vast amount of information while also providing opportunities for networking and building lasting connections with fellow participants who shared a passion for history, politics, philosophy, and law.

In conclusion, the History, Politics, and Law summer school was an intellectually stimulating, well-organized, and truly memorable experience. I left with a deeper understanding of the subjects and new friendships that will undoubtedly last a lifetime.

An absolutely amazing experience. Having just completed the PPE Summer School at Oxford this year, I can say that not only was the environment friendly and warm, but it was also academic and extremely thought-provoking. The professors, interns and students will challenge you intellectually, but will also provide an amazing support system for you throughout. I can safely say that, apart from learning and re-thinking about topics I will be pursuing for the rest of my academic career, I have also made important connections and friends I will certainly treasure for the rest of my life. This is an experience I recommend to every aspiring Politician, Philosopher and Economist!

I attended the Global Affairs Forum at Washington DC, which was located on the Georgetown campus, from July 18- July 27, 2023. I'll go through each aspect of the camp.

Lectures/Education: Our lectures were in the McDonough School of Business Rafik B. Hariri Building. A lot of our lecturers were Georgetown University professors form the Georgetown Institute for the Study of Markets & Ethics and other distinguished individuals. Lectures were over a broad range of topics - we covered immigration and open borders, the war between Russia and Ukraine, Adam Smith and Rousseau, sweatshops, and much more. Martin Cox, the John Locke Institute Director, also shared some of his personal experience with building a career in International Business and Diplomacy. We had 22 lectures in total. The lectures were usually 45 minutes long, with room for questions at the end. The professors were always open to people asking questions and staying after class to discuss more about the lecture.

We also had small group sessions of about 7-8 people where we discussed the lectures and other topics. These precepts were led by the professors as well as Martin and the other staff members. These precepts were open-ended and provided a comfortable environment to talk about the lectures or anything else we wanted to talk about.

I also feel like my classmates were very accomplished people and eager to learn, so it was fun to discuss the lectures with them outside of class. I met people from all over the world and it was interesting to hear there perspectives.

Overall, the educational experience was excellent and changed my views and/or made me think differently.

Accomodation: We stayed in the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Center hotel dorms. There was no trash can and there was spotty wifi, but other than that it was pretty good - there was a bathroom, a bed, a desk, two cabinets, and a big wardrobe. There was also toilet paper and soap and other amenities, as well as pillows and blankets for the beds. There were two people in a dorm, unless you wanted to pay $720 dollars for a single person room. There were locks and a deadbolt on each hotel room, so it was very safe.

Communication: We had a Facebook group and a Telegram group chat. There was fast and direct communcation through the Telegram group chat, and the staff and interns were always quick to respond to questions from the students + send relevant updates. We didn't use the Facebook group at all. Long before the course started, we were sent a pre-arrival guide of everything to bring, as well as a map of the Georgetown campus and things to see/do.

Scheduling: We received our schedules on the first day of the course. I felt our schedules were designed so that we had the perfect balance of free time and education.

Navigation: I was able to navigate the Georgetown campus easily. (I only went to a few places anyways - the dorms, the lecture building, the dining hall, and the gym). The John Locke Institute staff provide you with a map as well.

Dining: We dined at the Leo O'Donovan dining hall for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There were a lot of options to choose from, and the quality of the food was good. There were other options as well like Chickfila, as well as "Hoya Snaxa", the Georgetown snack shop.

Miscellaneous: We went on a Segway tour of DC, canoed in the Potomac River, and also visited a professor's house on the last day of the camp. I enjoyed all of these activities. Also, on Sunday, there was a lot of free time in the morning, so my friends and I went to the Smithsonian to look at some art.
There was also a gym on campus and a football field.

Overall, I really enjoyed the experience and I also felt like I bonded with my classmates at John Locke, and I highly recommend it. Thank you Martin, Marie, Victoria, Estela, Nav, Joshua, and Maria for making JLI 23 a very enjoyable experience.

I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the John Locke Institute summer school and I must say it was an enlightening and transformative experience. This immersive program delved deep into the realms of Politics, Philosophy, and Economics, opening my mind to a whole new world of knowledge and understanding.

From the moment I arrived, I could sense an atmosphere of intellectual curiosity and a genuine passion for learning. The faculty members were not only highly knowledgeable but also approachable and enthusiastic about sharing their expertise. They created an inclusive learning environment where everyone felt encouraged to participate and explore complex ideas. One aspect of the summer school that I truly appreciated was the diversity of perspectives presented. Lecturers and guest speakers came from various backgrounds, offering insights from different cultures, academic disciplines, and even political ideologies. This diverse range of opinions challenged my own preconceived notions and forced me to critically analyse my beliefs. It was a humbling experience that broadened my understanding and encouraged me to embrace intellectual flexibility.

The interactive nature of the program made it truly engaging and memorable. Small-group discussions, precepts, debates, and collaborative projects fostered an environment where we could actively apply what we learned to real-world scenarios. These activities encouraged us to think critically, solve problems, and communicate our ideas effectively. The opportunity to engage in lively debates with fellow participants from around the world was particularly stimulating, as we brought together a rich tapestry of perspectives and experiences.

Beyond the academic aspect, the summer school also provided ample opportunities for networking and building lifelong connections. The diverse student body brought together individuals with a shared passion for knowledge and a drive to make a positive impact in the world. The friendships and connections I forged during my time there are invaluable, and I continue to collaborate with my peers on various projects long after the program concluded.

In conclusion, The John Locke summer school was an extraordinary experience that broadened my horizons and deepened my understanding of Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. The program offered a perfect blend of theoretical knowledge, practical application, and vibrant discussions, all in a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment. It left me feeling inspired, empowered, and eager to continue my journey of personal and intellectual growth. I highly recommend JLI to anyone seeking to explore these disciplines and expand their insight into the world we live in.

JLI isn’t what it claims to be. The school exploits Oxfordian prestige in order to hook in prospective students - but it’s actually held in Abingdon. There are no locks on the doors in the accommodation, meaning that multiple students suffered assaults and within a few days, half my dorm floor were down with food poisoning. You weren’t told precisely what you needed to bring - leaving multiple students without soap - and the course schedules were published in a rushed way, with students sometimes receiving the next day’s schedule the night before. Some students weren’t even given a map of the campus. The lecturers were decent, a number of them Oxford and Cambridge PhDs, but almost all of them fell into hardline right wing ideology (despite John Locke’s claim that it encourages students to explore all views). One of the lecturers in particular, I will not name him here, expressed downright offensive and inexcusable views, his entire lecture discriminating against groups of people who were present in the classroom. Another man who lectured there simply stated to myself and a group of friends that “women aren’t suited to politics”. The school is ragingly overpriced, poorly managed, understaffed and fails to uphold its claims of academic rigour. It wasn’t a total waste of an experience as a few lectures were interesting and the social life was quite decent, but I wouldn’t recommend it.

Over the course of twelve days, we were entreated to various lecturers from Oxford and Cambridge, giving us an idea of what life at university would resemble; they spoke about topics such as freedom and the importance of international trade, topics never even touched upon in school. Although complex, every lecturer had their way of simplifying these ideas down to the bare minimums, allowing students without any prior experience to understand. Furthermore, there was a consistent, relaxed atmosphere throughout the camp - students were free to dine with the faculty, or take a short walk while discussing the nuances of the previous lecture. Apart from the lectures, there were also plenty of small group activities, wherein lively debates ensued.
The accommodation was based at Radley College, close to Oxford city centre. Equipped with comfortable single rooms and an abundance of leisure activities (football, gym, walks in the vast grounds), the experience was wonderful. With a generally well-organised team of JLI staff, the programme was well worth the money, leaving me with new insights and wonderful friends.

A brief point of feedback, which I sure will benefit everybody, might be the quality of communications within the course. A facebook page was used to disseminate information for 16-year-olds...perhaps WhatsApp would be more suitable, or even email.

To the amazing staff and faculty at JLI: thanks very much!

Overall, it was a great experience, with well-rounded and thought-provoking lecturers. For summer school at Oxford, we stayed at Radley College, which was a lovely campus, with decent arrangements and food. However, the organization of the John Locke Institute is slightly disordered. They were slow to release timetables and slow to release the reading list. They also need to change their main tool of communication, during my stay, they only used a Facebook page, which was inefficient and outdated. Overall, it was a good and enlightening experience, however, the organization needs much improvement.

During my time with the John Locke Institute in Princeton I was able to absorb an enormous amount of information in such a small period of time. The activities that were carried out throughout the summer school were so interactive and fun, however at the same time our lectures were challenging. Our professors were very engaging and willing to listen to our arguments and explain to us where we were wrong, I was able to open up my mind to new ideas and theories that I completely disagreed with before. It was truly an amazing experience that I hope to do it again.

I had an amazing time at the John Locke Institute summer school. All the lectures were engaging and interesting, and the Oxbridge-style precepts helped clear any confusions or burning questions you had. All the staff were very helpful and the student community was accepting and kind. Highly recommend for anyone interested in applying to PPE at university!

I had a great time at JLI. I made amazing friends, staff was kind, especially Martin who worked hard to make sure everyone was comfortable. Lectures were diverse, and it was refreshing to hear multiple view points and even if I didn’t agree with them, they were still a learning opportunity. Facilities were good, the socials were comfortable with places to chill out with friends. Food was good as well and even if you didn’t enjoy, you had the opportunity to order food from some of the local places in your area. JLI has given me the opportunity to meet people I would otherwise never cross paths with and an opportunity to hear and partake in thoughtful discussions. The whole experience was quite similar to what University will be like so it was an extremely worth while experience. The combination of great students, interesting lectures and attentive staff, it was a 10/10 institute and I would recommend to everyone

The JLI is a great academic opportunity for people who are interested in economics, politics, and philosophy, but the course is not easy. I took the Foundation Certificate, and although it's labeled as an introductory course, it seemed that people either knew what was going on or were completely confused. Nonetheless, the lectures were interesting and introduced a diverse array of opinions. Students who wanted to speak more with instructors could easily do so by simply going up to them during dinner or whenever they were around.

I think the camp was a good experience for me, but there were a few things that bothered me quite a bit with the administration/organization of the summer camp.
1. All updates were on the Facebook group, which is quite an outdated app for teens, so many people didn't even join the group and were confused about where to find schedules and plans.
2. There's a severe lack of information about everything.
-Nobody told me I needed to bring soap, or a laundry net. The pre-reading that was said to come out in June was released around a week or so before the camp.
-Questions that were asked on Facebook were either left unanswered or answered days later, but the management sure was quick to reach out and get me to submit a portrait picture..!
-We jumped straight into lectures, with no icebreaker activities until the 3rd day when we went punting in Oxford. I basically had no idea who was in what course, and I sure wasn't going around staring at people's portrait colors to figure that out. The camp only became bearable once I made friends, and we were honestly just spending our free time moaning about how hot it was and how we wanted to go home.
-The camp is in Radley College (not Oxford), which is huge. I had no clue where anything was and had to squint at a tiny campus map on my phone for a good while. Would've been nice if we were shown around the main buildings where lectures would be in, instead of having students arrive late to lectures because they didn't know where the "donut room" was.
-The schedules came out very slowly. They used to be consisting of multiple days and were jam-packed with lectures like a school day. As the camp went on, schedules came out day-by-day each night and free time increased; we went from having ~7 lectures to 4. Not that I minded, but it genuinely felt like they were running out of things to do and were coming up with it on the spot.
3. Radley College.
-Food was ok until people got food poisoning and had to spend a day in the stuffy socials. Please be careful and voice out if you have certain dietary requirements. The preparation and allergen info provided for those who have allergies or food preferences were pretty bad.

-There was a lack of basic necessities like water. My social had a dispenser, but I noted that many others didn't. Oftentimes my friends had to wait until tea time to get a cup of water, or I'd have to take them to my social. This was especially inconvenient, considering how it was extremely hot and stuffy indoors and outdoors. The JLI's solution to this was opening a tuck shop, where you'd have to go and spend more money to buy a can of soda. There was free juice as well, but that was hoarded by the boys and never restocked in my social.
-Note that gyms are only 16 and up, and you have to pay money to go to the pool unless you go during the one-hour time slot where it's free.

All in all, it was a good camp, but I don't think I could've lasted a week there if I had not made any friends. I can say for sure that I would not go back, and I know there are others who share the sentiment. I'm not sure the tuition is worth it.

Faculty:
the professors were good, they had a former Australian prime minister, a billionaire who was on the board of Harvard for a decade, tons of Oxbridge professors, really chill and nice professors, very honest people definitely a great experience.
all the faculty were top tier, good tip: you can just sit with the lecturers and talk with them about any questions you might have, dining hall did have a high table but it’s not really adhered to thankfully. 5/5

Campus/food
my room flooded, several other people in my hall had the toilets on the floor above leak and had "brown stains", the whole hall flooded, Radley college is NOT in oxford, it's close, you will barely spend any time in oxford, I wish I could have gone when the course was hosted in Balliol college
food was horrible, several people got food poisoning, I instinctively spat out my food sometimes, the school won't let you take seconds, imagine charging what they charge you and not letting you eat your full, a lot of people had to order food for themselves, I can’t eat much meat without puking and listed my dietary preference as vegetarian, they ran out of vegetarian food a bunch of time and the staff wouldn’t let me take vegetarian food because I took meat once.
the campus was isolated and not close to anywhere.
get a fan, the Radley campus got so hot, the most fun I had was walking around oxford with friends, 2/5 for campus, it’s not very nice.

student body
a lot of people were from Eton, Harrow, etc I talked to everyone and made good conversation with everyone and there were only 5 state school students I spoke to, and I spoke to a lot of people, Mr. Martin probably has better stats
don't be discouraged because of the whole "poshness" of the student body, everyone was really really nice. And always went the extra mile to help each other out
The majority of the kids go to Oxbridge for the UK.

Miscellaneous:
also on their website it says that they have a bursary for travel from low-income countries, from what I can ascertain this does not exist, I emailed them about it after I got a merit scholarship, they ghosted me for 12 days and then after I called them they asked me where I read this in their website, I sent a screenshot and they told me they couldn't help me with that.

I had an amazing experience at the John Locke Institute this summer, unlike any experience in other pre-college programmes. The lectures were captivating and engaging, and showed a large variety of views, and every professor and student I spoke to were extremely interesting. I would definitely recommend JLI to any student wishing to learn about PPE, meet other opinionated students and be intellectually challenged.

One of the greatest educational experiences that I have had thus far. The speakers were all highly qualified and academic individuals with interesting and challenging points to make, and the ability to have one on one discussions with incredibly intelligent individuals was amazing; I have talked with the former PM of Australia, Oxbridge Professors, MPs and leaders in business. Furthermore, the precept groups taught by faculty and interns were original, and taught in a truly Socratic manner, far from the exam-oriented education we have in school. The interns were all motivated, kind, and with fascinating stories: talking to them about their university experiences, or their career prospects was inspiring. At the JLI I had a seminar which opened my eyes on the true state of world banking, a lecture on the negative effects of pornography, and one-of-a kind talks on US and Oxbridge college admissions. I have also been able to make friends with an amazing peer group, all of whom are unique and truly original: I have gotten the opportunity to go punting, swimming, play football, tennis, and sing karaoke with them. Finally, the director, Martin, was incredibly kind and personal to all of the students, with a genuine motivation to improve education. I would recommend the Summer School to anyone who wants to further their educational horizons!

This was a great summer school - I was very glad I attended. Originally, I was nervous to come, but during the week that opinion changed drastically. The lecturers are all respectable people in their own right, and not only do they share their view, they also show their opponents view.

I had the most eye-opening experience at the John Locke Institute. Not only did I meet engaging, bright, and motivated students, but I also met interactive professors who were highly knowledgeable and helpful. If you are interested in the humanities, I would definitely recommend it!

The Public Policy Symposium at Princeton was a great experience––good facilities, amazing speakers and support staff. The program is mostly lecture-oriented (lectures in the morning, seminars with smaller groups in the afternoon), but I found it refreshing. Would recommend to students interested in policymaking or, really, anything humanities.

Had such an amazing experience again this year, and I met so many great people. Lectures were fascinating and informative, I would recommend these programs for anybody interested in policy or the humanities!