I joined TOPS in 2013, as a Master’s student of Classics under Prof. Kasai. It was a unique and invaluable experience – immersed in the academic atmosphere of Oxford, building friendship with fellow students, young scholars and prominent Maestros, and getting a glimpse of the history, culture and nature of UK by traveling around.Oxford is a small university town, full of old stone buildings as well as shops for daily needs. I immediately felt the approachability upon arrival – supermarkets, grocery stores, clothes boutiques, coffee shops… everything you need could be found around the cozy central plaza. On the other hand, the density and intensity of its academic tradition continued to impress me during the 2 weeks. The libraries which we fortunately had access to, the Ashmolean museum of art and archeology with amazing collection from all over the world…revealing the insatiable curiosity and pursuit of knowledge / insights. Though brief, it made me feel like studying in Oxford as a college student. What made the above more wonderful was the connectivity with fellow students and scholars we met during the program. Young scholars in Oxford were the lecturers of the program, who gave inspiring lessons and led thought-provoking discussions. During the break, we had small chats like friends – sitting on the lawn, eating apples and watching out for bees flying around. I was also able to meet several big names in the Classics field. I still remember the spark in the eyes of a renowned professor, when we were discussing Homer in a British pub . Needless to say, all the ‘classmates’ became good friends. We were a mix of graduate and undergraduate students, majoring in different topics and coming from several universities. It was stimulating to mingle with the diverse group.After the 2 weeks in Oxford, I stayed on another 2 weeks to travel around UK. Rosetta stone in the British Museum, Scotland highland hills and valleys accompanied by the bagpipe melodies, the anecdote of drunken angels not listening to prayers due to the whiskey vapors, the black waves in Loch Ness where the Monster Nessie might be lurking beneath… these were but a glimpse into the vast history and beauty of the country, and fragments of my treasured memory.I’m now working in a global management consulting firm. The experience in TOPS is seemingly irrelevant but can’t be more so. It gave me the intellectual and cultural confidence on a fundamental level.If you have the chance to join TOPS, I strongly recommend you to take it!