Christopher Mpanga

Uganda, International Foundation followed by LLB (Hons) Law

“I really appreciate the cultural diversity on the international foundation course. You get to associate with people from around the globe. One day I’m sitting next to somebody from South Africa and the next day it’s somebody from Australia.”

I really appreciate the cultural diversity on the international foundation course. You get to associate with people from around the globe. One day I’m sitting next to somebody from South Africa and the next day it’s somebody from Australia. You get to have discussions with people from different cultures who share different ideas.

I am very appreciative of the facilities on campus. Headington Campus, in particular, is of great use to me. It’s easy to access and you can work anytime of the day. The access to computers, the library catalogue and of course the library liaison officers are great. I find the liaison officers very helpful, the library is a very good place for me.

Outside of academics I decided to become a student representative. As a representative I get to represent the students on a different platform. I get to work with the student union and help get students’ voices heard. This role has helped adapt my leadership skills and increased my extra-curricular activities.

I feel at home in Oxford. Not only at Brookes, whose staff were incredibly welcoming, but Oxford is an intellectual city. It’s cool to say I’m living in Oxford. As a city, it has opened my eyes to many different things. I generally thought dinosaurs were a myth, but then I went to the Natural History Museum and found out they were real! It was crazy.

I think giving back to your community is important. Empowering young people to be the best they can be is what I like to do in my spare time. Back in Uganda I wasn’t very active in the community, but when I came to university I started to get involved with various organisations like the National Citizens Service. I look up to greats like Nelson Mandela. He taught the world to fight for what you believe in, and contribute positive things to society such as helping others.

The foundation course at Brookes was very helpful for me. It gave me the opportunity to get into my law course. From the very start I wanted to study law at Brookes because it’s an incredible place. I don’t know if elsewhere they would have given me this chance.