2026 alum Lukáš T., a Debate and Public Speaking major at Oxford Academia, reflects on how the program at Oxford has supported his academic growth while giving him the freedom to pursue his creative passion for photography. Balancing academic seminars with artistic pursuits, Lukáš shares his perspective, and a glimpse through his lens, on what it means to experience Oxford.
What should we know about you, Lukáš?
At my core, I’m driven by discipline and focus, whether that’s calculating a shot on the golf course or pushing myself academically. As a ninth grader preparing to enter tenth grade, I wanted to challenge myself academically in a meaningful way.
I majored in Debate and Public Speaking to learn from the very best in arguably the debate and public speaking center of the world. Outside of academic pursuits and sports, my biggest passion is photography. Photography allows me to do something no other hobby can replicate: capture moments, feelings, and memories that I can cherish and come back to for years to come.
Why did you decide to attend our Oxford Academia at University of Oxford program?
When I looked into summer programs at Oxford, I wanted to find the best one. This led me to Oxford Academia.
Oxford Academia had the most interesting subjects along with exceptional teachers that I could truly learn from, which was really important to me. Oxford Academia not only served as a place where I could learn skills that could not be learned anywhere else, but also as a place that is helping to shape my future.
Was there an experience that stood out the most to you? Why?
The moment that stands out to me the most has to be the first day of my minor seminar, when I met my teacher and got to talk to her. From the very first conversation, I knew I was in the right place, not only because she had tons of real-world experience, but because she wanted to pass down her knowledge to me.
How did you discover your passion for photography?
When my mother passed away, I realized that our minds naturally lose small details and memories. I started taking photographs because I felt that it was the only way to preserve moments forever. But as time moved on, that feeling turned into a purpose. I realized that a good photo is not just about documenting that something happened; it is about capturing how it felt. I try to use photography as a tool to tell stories, capture real emotions, and build memories that can be passed down and felt by others.
Why did you choose to capture Oxford through photography?
Oxford is a place like no other, with its endless meadows and architectural masterpieces, it carries hundreds of years of history and memory.
It is incredibly difficult for anyone to truly grasp what it feels like to walk down roads that generations of the world’s greatest minds have walked before us. The closest I could bring anyone who has not been to Oxford to that feeling, is by trying to capture every piece of Oxford, photo by photo. Every photo I took was an attempt to bring Oxford to life from every possible perspective.
If you had to describe your Oxford Academia experience in three words, what would they be?
Unforgettable. Ambitious. Purposeful.
To learn more about Oxford Academia at University of Oxford, click here!