Anjola’s Summer at Phillips Academy Andover
17 September 2026 - Academic
This summer, Anjola (LV) attended the Phillips Academy Andover Summer Session in Massachusetts, where she spent several weeks studying alongside pupils from around the world and experiencing a different style of learning.
Rather than choosing familiar subjects, Anjola decided to try something new. She enrolled in Social Psychology and Marine Biology, despite having no previous experience of either. “I thought it would be interesting to branch out and learn new topics that I’m not familiar with,” she says. “I wasn’t too sure what the outcome would be, but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed social psychology.”
The discussions in her psychology class were shaped by the people in the room as much as the course content. With 14 students representing eight different countries, lessons brought together a wide range of perspectives. “Hearing personal experiences from all around the world certainly furthered my understanding,” Anjola reflects, particularly when exploring how culture and environment influence behaviour.
In Marine Biology, Anjola’s learning extended beyond the classroom through a final project on bycatch and overfishing. She created a website explaining how these issues affect marine ecosystems and how marine protected areas can help fish populations recover.
Life at Andover also encouraged independence. Students managed their own reading, boarding responsibilities and study schedules, deciding how best to use their time. “There was a lot of freedom,” Anjola says, “but each individual had to independently decide whether it was a good idea to go out with friends or do some extra reading if they didn’t understand the lesson that day.”
As part of the programme, Anjola visited several universities across New England, including Yale and MIT. Yale was a particular highlight. “Yale has a warmth that transcends seasons,” she wrote after the visit, describing the campus as both welcoming and full of history.
Reflecting on the summer, Anjola says the experience gave her confidence in working independently and adapting quickly to a new academic environment. She found that the habits she has developed at Wycombe Abbey, such as taking ownership of her learning, asking purposeful questions and engaging with challenging ideas, gave her a strong foundation for studying abroad. Returning to School, she brings with her a broader perspective on university study and a renewed enthusiasm for the year ahead.
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