Faith had two life-changing moments in 2020 - the first was being accepted to Oxford and the second moment was when she knew the Singapore government would be supporting her for her entire degree!
The PSC Open Scholarship is one of the most prestigious scholarships offered to Singapore citizens and it has many similarities with other scholarships around the world - judging students on character more than anything else.
Faith shares her experience studying at an Arts School, choosing to study experimental psychology at Oxford and her advice for students aiming to apply to unis in the UK.
Faith had two life-changing moments in 2020 - the first was being accepted to Oxford and the second moment was when she knew the Singapore government would be supporting her for her entire degree!
The PSC Open Scholarship is one of the most prestigious scholarships offered to Singapore citizens and it has many similarities with other scholarships around the world - judging students on character more than anything else.
Faith shares her experience studying at an Arts School, choosing to study experimental psychology at Oxford and her advice for students aiming to apply to unis in the UK.
Podcast Host 00:00
Hello, and welcome to the Top of the Class podcast. I'm your host Alex Cork. And in this episode, I chat with Faith Lee, who will soon be heading to Oxford on the prestigious Singapore based PSC open scholarship, Faith studied at the Singapore School of the Arts. And she talks about how she aims to blend her love for art in experimental psychology at Oxford. And of course, Faith also shares her advice for aspiring UK University Africans. Let's chat with Faith Lee. Welcome to the show Faith, it's awesome to have you on. Can you tell our listeners a little bit about yourself?
Faith 00:50
So yeah, I'm Faith. And I'm currently living on a tropical island in Singapore. Last year, I graduated from the School of the Arts, having specialized in Visual Arts. And I suppose I'm someone who has quite a big passion for both the arts, creativity and people. And I'm currently on a gap year. Next year, I'll be flying over to the UK to go study experimental psychology Oxford scholarship. Awesome. So how old are you now? I'm 1919 years old. So you're just doing a gap year at the moment that you must be looking forward to get into the cool calm weather of well not necessarily calm the cool drizzly weather of Oxford next year, what are you looking forward to most about going to a university like that? Oh, I think one of them would be the collegiate life there. Because it will be such a different environment, Singapore, it's really going to be a whole new culture, new people, even new food and an environment. And I think I'm looking forward to seeing the kind of people they have the the teaching style, as well as because Oxford specializes so much in the tutorial system, which is something so unique about the program. Yeah. So I think that's something that I'm really looking forward to experiencing. Can we fly over? Yeah, I bet. Well, I hopefully, you know, the Coronavirus is not affecting your travel plans. Do you know what date at the moment you plan to head over? Or is it just like a month in general that you've got in mind? Tom starts October. So likely in September next year, I actually thought that I'll be flying over this year, and I was making plans like booking all the hotels and everything for the same home notice. And last night, I found out that because of the virus things got a bit complicated. And so last minute, I had to change my plan. So that was a bit of a letdown.
Podcast Host 02:26
Oh, well, you'll get there eventually you get there. And then you'll have an amazing time. But for our listeners who don't know what the tutorial system is, can you explain that to them a little bit.
Faith 02:35
So Oxford has mainly two different systems of teaching. One would be mass lectures. So those are the most standard or the middle, we have a bunch of students off on the same subject together, and then there'll be a lecture teacher. And on the other hand, is also the tutorial system. So that's a much more personalized small group setting. So usually, each target has about two to four students paired with one professor. And there will be someone who is an expert in their field. And they will really go have really in depth conversations beyond just normal lecture content. And that's where you can refresh your ideas, have good conversations and learn on a more personalized level.
Podcast Host 03:12
Often those tutes led by someone who really knows what they're talking about in their field. So it's a really discussion based learning experience. And I've heard Oxford students say that it's the best and worst thing about studying at Oxford, because if you've done your homework, and you've done your readings, it's awesome. Like you can go in there and have an amazing discussion. But like, if you're not really feeling that well, and you try and go into that discussion group, it's not so good. Because you can get found out there's nowhere to hide when there's like three or four people, right, like you'll get found out pretty quickly. And while we're discussing all things Oxford, could you potentially give a few tips and advice on the application process and how you successfully gained admission?
Faith 03:51
I think Oxford is really looking for things beyond just what you might score for IB or A-levels. Because there have been cases where students have gotten perfect score 45 for IB, but the school actually chose someone who got a lower score over them. And I think the thing that distinguishes such people is that ability to think critically. And I think something that is quite consoling to think off when you go for the interview is that the interviewers aren't really looking to see how much you know, the content itself. Rather, they're looking at your ability to think on the spot, because they know that you haven't had those years of study such that an undergraduate might have or a professor, but they're looking for that ability that you might have to consider is just something respectives have a logical and creative thinking and to evaluate evidence that they give you right on the spot. So I think it's a lot more of these soft skills that they're looking for, that will really stand you apart, rather than just a number on the people, you get an exam. It's a lot more of a holistic consideration. So I think that's something to consider. And I think another thing would be to keep in mind, what is your motive for applying to this particular University I think that's always something to be, that's something that's good to be conscious of. Because this awareness gives you so much more confidence when you actually do go stand before interviewers, or as you're writing your personal statement, because then you have this conviction that comes behind every single word that you see. And even if you might make mistakes, I'll say something accidental, you know where you're coming from. And that helps to give the sense of security and assurance, even as you talk to your interviewers. And, in fact, I think it's nice to think of the interview more of like, as a conversation. And I think that was something that I experienced in one of my interviews, which was really nice, because as you were talking, anybody involved more into just a discussion with me and the tutors rather than me feeling as if I was being interrogated or anything like that. So it made the whole process so much more enjoyable to think of it from their perspective.
Podcast Host 05:53
Yeah. Do you think students can prepare for the interview?
Faith 05:56
I think definitely, yeah. So while the tutors might not be looking for hard and fast on this, I think that being aware of what content is in your course, would definitely be helpful. So for me, before I went to my interview, I went online to go read up a lot more about psychology because I hadn't studied it in, in soda. And I also went up and read different research papers, like current research that was being done in the field. So I could kind of get a better idea of what experimental methods were out there. And how concepts were being used in the world, I suppose. So I think it was quite fortunate, because one of the articles that I was reading its content actually came up on the very day of the interview itself. And I just been reading about it a few hours before. So that was really fortunate. That was lucky. Yeah, yeah, definitely. So when I got posed that question, I was like, Wow, there you go. I read that just a couple hours before it was so apt.
Podcast Host 06:51
Yeah, speaking to other students who have been admitted to Oxford, they say, like, try and read as much content as you can relevant to what you want to study. Because if you can draw on a couple of examples or anecdotes during your interview, then it will put you in a lot better standing than someone who's only, you know, studied the school content, and not really anything beyond that. But you're studying experimental psychology. What's that all about? Because I actually am not familiar with that degree.
Faith 07:17
Okay. So experimental psychology, it covers different topics such as perception, cognition, neuroscience, developmental science. So it's really all these different aspects of human behavior. But we look at it from a very scientific standpoint, and I think the focus at Oxford is on actually conducting your own research and experiments as well. So it's not just the conceptual part while we actually get some hands on experience, which is a really nice part of the course.
Podcast Host 07:43
Okay, so how many branches of psychology are there? Is that like, the main one that Oxford offers? Or are there a lot of other ones and you decided to go down the experimental route?
Faith 07:54
So at Oxford, there's two main psychology focused ones. One would be et, which is experimental psychology. The other would be PBL, which is philosophy, psychology and linguistics. Yeah. Okay. So that one's a bit more diverse.
Podcast Host 08:08
Yeah, right. Right. Right. Okay. I thought you were about to say, pp there. But that doesn't have much to do with psychology. That's politics, philosophy and economics. And so that ppl one was it?
Faith 08:20
Yeah, PV das, or psychology, philosophy and linguistics?
Podcast Host 08:24
Right. And how did you choose experimental psychology versus ppl?
Faith 08:29
I think, because I'm both who really loves biology. I really like that science aspect of it. And so I felt that in EP we do to focus more on stuff like neuroscience, which is something that I really enjoy. And as far as the biological aspect of the brain, I think that PVR it also covers more of like the social dimension. So that's a bit more of a focus compared to EP
Podcast Host 08:52
and what has given you that kind of background to be ready for something like studying AP, because listeners may not know this yet, but you have quite an extensive background in him. And you mentioned at the start, you graduated from the School of Fine Arts, is that right? Yeah. So you've got a background in arts. And when I think Fine Arts like, Look, don't get me wrong. I don't know a huge man about the arts and like the programs, not schools, but I tend to think it's like looking at old paintings and deciding what was the artist trying to say when they painted the hand this way versus this way? That type of thing? Like, was that your arts experience? And if not, please correct me.
Faith 09:31
I think a question I get a lot when people hear that came from scarfy artists. Do you guys just study all day, every day? Right? Yeah. But actually, what we do is that arts is kind of like our RCC, like a specialization we do. But we also have academic subjects besides that, so I didn't have to go study like math, science English, like Chinese is like a language as well. So it's a whole range arts is kind of like our extra clinical subject that we do and we do a very heavy for Isn't it, but it's a lot more than just looking at dusty old paintings in a museum
Podcast Host 10:04
Was there a bit of that though?
Faith 10:06
We did do a bit of art history series and about Renaissance art. But they also had more of like a modern focus as well. So we learned all the way from like historical caveman style, to our modern art, like Dadaism surrealism. And we also had a lot of hands on work as well that we did in the studio, creating our own craft that one practice and putting into education, all the techniques that we've been learning over the years.
Podcast Host 10:31
Well, I'm glad you've cleared that up for me and our audience, that it's not just looking at dusty old paintings all day, there must be a fairly significant proportion of those students who then go into arts related programs at university. What made you go down towards the psychology route more so?
Faith 10:50
Well, I think that most of my life, I actually had thought that I was going on a purely Fine Arts route. And so when I was while I was doing that, becoming an artist, saying Fine Arts at a university level, but I was just thinking about it quite recently, like just last year itself. And I thought, considering things on a slightly more practical standpoint, because I think that in Singapore's art scene is still quite natural, and like, it's not as developed as other Western countries. And Singapore does focus a lot more on, I guess, the stem parts of education. And I felt, perhaps that I would want to go into something that was a bit more of Applied Arts rather than finance. So I started like searching a bit online, and talking to people about what kind of jobs were available. And something that I came across once either of you. And a few that was on, it really appealed to me, because it really projects the two things I love in life, which is like a passion for the arts as well as helping people. And I felt art therapy would do both of these. And because I already have an arts background, I felt that to complement that I should go ahead and study psychology. And it's something that I am really interested in at the same time. So everything just seemed to fall into place. And last year, I decided to shift like the course of what I was going for.
Podcast Host 12:05
Awesome. So yeah, it's been a bit of a journey with I know art therapy is like very interesting field kind of emerging field. And psychology does, I guess relate to that, and it is an interesting fit. But you did mention that Singapore does have a very strong stem focus. And I think a lot of places around the world at that kind of high academic level. It's like the computer science, maths, science students, they're kind of celebrated, you know, all the parents are like you're doing the great thing, you're going to be a doctor, you're going to be an engineer, you're going to be, you know, computer scientists, whatever it might be, did you feel any pressure being at a fine art school to push the arts side of things aside, so you could focus on, you know, something other than just purely Fine Arts.
Faith 12:49
I don't think that pressure ever was there. In my case, I think for one, I'm really glad that I have very supportive parents who don't have such a traditional mindset. And they really encouraged me to just go there and fulfill what I was interested in. And I think being in in soda, I was surrounded by so many like minded individuals who are also so talented at what they did. And just going and watching my friends performances and showcases and exhibitions, I think we really could feed off this passion from one another. And it was such a lovely community to be in such that we really encourage one another's passions and interests. And I think that school also helped to balance between like the arts and our other academic subjects. So they had a heavy focus on both of them. They didn't push one of them aside to the detriment of the other, but they really encouraged us to do both our academy. And in parallel, it really helps me in my own focus, as the first thing is all.
Podcast Host 13:43
What advice would you give to students who are having to make that decision or feel as though they have to make that decision between doing the thing they love, which might be the art versus doing the thing that everybody around them is telling them will be the future of work? Right? Like, it's interesting, from your perspective that it sounds as if you had a very supportive community at the fine art school. So going down that track of of studying the arts would have still been really supportive, because there was still a really great community. But I think a lot of kids who are not at a dedicated at school might love Fine Arts might love music might love the kind of performance side of things, but at the same time might feel that everyone else at the school is going into either finance or going into STEM fields and not really pursuing that interest in the arts. I think it's interesting from your perspective that you are able to see the arts having a place in another area like therapy, right? So you're able to see a career path in that. But what advice would you give to students who are in that situation or kind of like I'm looking at picking my subjects for next year, I'm looking at trying to specialize in particular path in my school, and it just doesn't feel as though the arts is the place where I should be despite that being my passion
Faith 15:00
I think there are several things to consider here. So one would be the dilemma between choosing something that you might consider more practical for something that you're passionate in. I think one thing that obsessions could keep in mind is that if you were to actually pursue something that's your passion, if you encounter any challenges along the way, are difficulties, because of the underlying passion that is driving you, you're not likely to give up as easily as if you were to consider another fuel that you weren't as interested in, but just felt pressured to go into. Because in the long run, it's more likely that you're going to be burning out if you don't have that intrinsic drive that is fueling you throughout your whole journey. On the other hand, also known as this practicality you think of such as like how sustainable your job would be in the future, and what that career progression could be like. So maybe another thing they could consider is, if they do have a passion for the arts, it's not necessarily that that passion has to become the mean career. In fact, it's something that can be pursued, really, in your own time as a hobby, or as like a side passion. You could have like a day job, but still keep up this passion alongside in parallel.
Podcast Host 16:06
Yeah, I think it's worth considering for students not to feel as though pursuing one area means you have to give up something that you love. Now, you can still do both. I think that's really good. Is there any particular skills that you learned from your fine art school that you think will be really applicable to Experimental Psychology at Oxford? Hmm,
Faith 16:25
is it being able to think in a creative way, and watch a problem or experiment from various perspectives would be really useful? Because what we did in my fine art school astragal was very project based. So usually, we were given like a certain theme, and based on that theme, good springboard, and come up with our own concept. and visualize exactly what what we wanted to convey or create, and what was the message that you wanted to bring out there to the audience. And you know, having that general theme, it's really so broad, you can approach it from so many various perspectives. And I think a skill that is learned from there is having this really kind of open minded thinking of approaching this problem that you're given, and looking at it from as many multiple perspectives as you possibly can. And from there, slowly reading out exactly, and clarifying what path you want to take to move forward. So I guess a model that I kind of learned along the way, was this diverging and then converging model. So what happens is that you're given the problem at first select a single point, and from there, it's like, it's like a graph that diverges. And you try to look at as many possible viewpoints that you can possibly think of. And from there, you begin to converge against these select off a more probable solution. So you can come up with our ideas that you think would be interesting to really pursue. And I think having this kind of framework is something that's applicable no matter what course you're in, doesn't have to be financial, or humanities, but it's really any problem that you face in life, it could even be personal issues. And this same framework is applicable to everything that you learn.
Podcast Host 17:56
Yeah. And I think that's a good way of looking at it. Do you find that when you are talking to like a hardcore stem friend, like us, you know, a friend of yours that may be, you know, maths and science to the bone? Do you feel as though you are talking to someone from another planet? Or do you still feel as though they essentially have a similar way of approaching things and similar ideas, they're just more maths and science based?
Faith 18:21
I think that it's probably similar. The only difference is exactly the focus of your field. Because I have this one friend who is really into finance and math and physics, which seems was a part from the outset. But talking to him, I really feel as if we can connect over the way that we approach our subjects and passions. He loves that discovery, of understanding these fundamental truths about the world that physics has to offer. Yes. And I think even in psychology, there's also that parallel there in which we're trying to discover truth about humanity, like the way that the mind works. And I really love this whole investigative process along the way, and these interests that people bring to their own field. I think that even though such subjects might seem to be was a pipe, there is that similar sense of drive that all people carry out no matter what field you're in?
Podcast Host 19:08
Yeah. Now with your Oxford admission, it wasn't just an Oxford admission, you are also a scholarship recipient. So can you explain to our listeners a little bit about what the name of the scholarship is, and what it entitles you to?
Faith 19:23
So I'm currently under the Singapore PSC open scholarship, where PSE stands for Public Service Commission. So what this scholarship does, it's it's government scholarship. So when I go over to the UK, they are going to cover 100% of the fees. So tuition fees, that's awesome. Yeah, housing, even like accommodation and allowance as well. So that's really amazing.
Podcast Host 19:45
The Singapore government is paying you to study at Oxford. Yeah, that's, that is like the ideal situation. So do they give out many of these scholarships?
Faith 19:54
I think it varies from year to year. So this year, the intake was cut down quite significantly to about I think 35 it really varies on the circumstances and exactly on what kind of scholars the government needs for the future. So beyond just them covering a lot of the school fees, there's also of course, a bond that comes along with the scholarship. So for PSE scholars, if you go overseas, it's going to be a six year bond, when you come back to Singapore,
Podcast Host 20:18
I 60 bond, what does that mean?
Faith 20:20
Well, for me, under the open scholarship, within the six years, every two to three years, I'll be rotated around to different ministries in public service, to really give back and work on different stuff like policymaking, these kind of issues.
Podcast Host 20:33
Ah, so it's as if the Singapore government is investing in the bright young minds of the future. And they're saying, hey, we'll help you if you help us. But that's great. They're like, you've got a ready made job as well, as, you know, free ride to full ride, I should say to Oxford, is it just oxford university that they have this relationship with?
Faith 20:55
No, it's actually pretty much whatever University you want to apply to. So they do send scholars over to the UK, US, Australia, even other countries like Germany, China, France, Russia, and they do support local scholars as well who want to just study in Singapore. So it's really quite a lot of options for people to pursue. And I think another good thing is that PLC is rather open to letting scholars study a very vast range of subjects. So you don't have to just study politics or international relations in order to get the scholarship. But they actually actively encourage people to study outside of this view, so that you learn various soft skills, and you bring different perspectives to the table in future when you do so.
Podcast Host 21:35
So did you have to apply for this scholarship? or How did you get identified for the PSA?
Faith 21:41
So for me, as well to nominated students in my cohort, so I think the identifiers based on our academic and character check record, overall, six years in school for six years? Yep, it's from a secondary to like a high school level, I'm not sure what the equivalent is for us, from 13 to 18 years old.
Podcast Host 22:01
So character and academic track record. So I mean, like, Is that part of the candidacy? Right, that you just have to be like, a really lovely person? Is that part of the whole winning a PSA,
Faith 22:14
I think we will definitely look at your motive for wanting to apply for the scholarship. Because I think that going to the public service, they were looking for people who want to contribute back to society, not just you're in it for themselves, or that kind of mentality. So I think for PRC, they want people who do have a heart for those around them. Because ultimately, these are going to be, I guess, the future leaders of the country who I guess the motive should be for your fellow countrymen around you, rather than just trying to be in it for any financial gain or selfish reasons.
Podcast Host 22:46
Absolutely. So what would be your advice about crafting that overall candidacy over the couple of years, you know, the six years that you had to do that throughout high school?
Faith 22:56
Well, for me, over the past six years, I wasn't really working towards a scholarship or towards a PAC scholarship in particular, I was just kind of on following my own passions and causes that I was passionate about, I suppose. So I think that when considering your scholarship applications, and writing your own personal statement and everything, I think that the message that you bring forth really has to come from your heart, it has to be something that you yourself, believe in. It's not just about giving the interviewers, what do you want to hear, because I think that if you were to do that, and to get in, perhaps further down the road, you might realize that this organization might not be as suited to your own personality, as you might think. So I think that really presenting forth your most authentic thoughts, struggles and your whole thinking process would be so crucial. And I suppose in that sense, you can trust the process of application. Because I suppose that an alternative way to look at it would be that if you don't get in, maybe it's for a better reason, because it's something better for you down the road that would be more suited to your own inclinations and talents. Whereas if you do get in, and you're just speaking completely, genuinely, you know that that's where you're meant to be. And it's something that exactly suits who you are as a person. And it's a cost that you do believe in,
Podcast Host 24:11
kind of like trust the application system that it won't see wrong, even if you feel like you really want to go to x y Zed like if you end up going somewhere else. It will be ultimately for the right reason at the end of the day. Is there any kind of centerpiece that you worked on throughout high school, any kind of like capstone project, I guess is the term some people might use that it would say Faith is the so and so person who created an organization or raise this money or something like that, is there any kind of centerpiece project that you had throughout high school?
Faith 24:43
Firstly, it wasn't so much something that ran through all six years, but we did have various service learning and projects along the way. So I did go for this overseas service learning project to Cambodia. And while we were there, we helped to teach these children from different rural villages. Stuff like English science, hygiene through the arts. And my role in the team was both in logistics, a bit of like the team, team identity, as well as like the actual teaching and physical construction that we did on the site as well.
Podcast Host 25:16
How long did that last for?
Faith 25:18
For the first year, we went there for I think, two weeks. And then the following year, I applied again, and we got in, and I got in. So I went to visit that same area again for another two weeks. But the planning for that whole project lasted like several months for each time before we actually flew over
Podcast Host 25:34
there. Yeah, it's quite an important project to you. And I think obviously, like that idea of using arts to help communities, right, and that kind of carried through. And now you're looking at doing experimental psychology, which is very, very cool. Now, what comes first? Is it the Oxford admission or the scholarship?
Faith 25:52
So I sent in my application for the scholarship in June, because that was in the early application. The also application was further on somewhere, I think, in October, if I remember correctly, yes. And after that, my Oxford interview came somewhere in December. And then my PC interview came in January. So it was kind of running concurrently and staggered along the way. Because there were a lot of different applications features to get through for both applications.
Podcast Host 26:17
So did you know that you were a Oxford student first, or did you know that you were a PSC student first, like what kind of letter came in the mail first been like, hey, congratulations, Faith, we really want you to be a Oxford student or PSC. Which letter came first?
Faith 26:34
I think it was my offer first, for Oxford first. So you said that was based on what my IV score would be. So I had a general sensing of that. And after the PSE interview that she got back really fast, in just a couple of days told me that, well, I actually, I should get it. So I was also grateful for that opportunity. And a while after that, that's when I got my IV score, which then confirmed my place in Oxford.
Podcast Host 26:58
So that's awesome. So you got the Oxford and then like, That must have been great. But I know that for a lot of people, it also like, Oh, yeah, great. That's also super expensive. But yeah, we're going to Oxford, right? And it's like, Hey, Mom, Dad, guess what, and then like getting the PSA must've been like an amazing moment. And not just for you, but for your family been like that, you know, life changing, right? That's not just a moment for you. That's a moment for everybody in the family, because it not only gives you the opportunity to study overseas for free, but it also sets you up with a great job when you get back for a couple of years, which is awesome. Did it really take time for that whole? You know, Oxford PSC, double victory for Faith. Did it take that a little bit of time to sink in?
Faith 27:44
Definitely. I think when I first got the new hours over the moon, I really jumping for join showing the join my family and friends. Because part of me really never imagined that I would actually get the opportunity to go to Oxford sounds like there's such a prestigious school on the other side of the wall, let alone that and the scholarship. So yeah, it was, it was such a wonderful time to go through, I think and it was really beyond what I ever imagined. Yeah, and I must be a huge moment.
Podcast Host 28:10
Is there anything that you're a little bit nervous about by sending, you know, a place I've Oxford,
Faith 28:15
I guess one would be how everything there is going to be so different. And I'm going to have to reveal my communities from scratch back to like square one. So I hope that that will be a good time, you know, where I can make really meaningful good friendships and that I hope Africa to cope with the academic rigor as well. Because for my course, talking to some seniors, they said that we usually have the right, perhaps a one to two essays every single week for like, every single term. So that's like a huge commitment to, I guess, balance. Also, because I don't want my life to just revolve around Academy or, like, the whole reason why I want to go overseas was also to experience a different culture. So I think another thing would be considering how I condense you know, that hectic school lot as I still going out there and seeing the world while I'm overseas.
Podcast Host 29:05
Yeah. Have you ever been to Oxford? Your vein on campus?
Faith 29:08
Not to Oxford itself? Because I've been to was London School. scholarship A while back?
Podcast Host 29:15
Yeah, I visited Oxford in September. Oh,
Faith 29:18
how was it?
Podcast Host 29:20
The whole town pretty much revolves around Oxford. But like, I think the thing that struck me about Oxford is just, it was similar in a way to New York, in that if you walk around the streets of New York, every corner you go to is that oh my god. I remember this building was in that movie. And I know this building because that story is from this particular building, and like just so much history. And I think that's the same kind of thing with Oxford like you go, and you can say why JRR Tolkien wrote The Lord of the Rings and he was an Oxford student. And so the all souls college is got how many towers, two towers and when he was in the library, writing the book of the things called the Redmond reading room might be wrong. please correct me if I'm wrong. Yeah. So out the window, he could see the two towers. And that's what he called the second book. And just near that CS Lewis wrote Narnia, and there is a door there with the Atlanta lion on the door. And then up above it is the little fawn tumnus. I don't know if you've ever read Narnia. But yeah, I love it. Yeah. So there's the Lions Head and aslin. Right, up above right is like a little 400. And then just next to it is the lamppost. So when they open the door to Narnia, first thing they say is the lamppost, that lamppost is there. And I was like, This is so cool, right? You know, like these, these amazing authors are coming up with these amazing ideas and stories. Some of these amazing authors, were just looking around the campus of Oxford, just saying what they say and turning it into into words in a book. So yeah, there's a lot of like, really cool students, a lot of really cool stories do the Oxford tour, it'd be my suggestion, like just trying to learn and appreciate the history.
Faith 31:04
I think it's so amazing to see his show was coming alive right before your eyes. And the fact that also was a savage? What, over 900 years ago in Yeah, well, 1096, or something that's insane to think, Oh, yeah. And you're walking along the same pavements as these great minds that have been in history, it's such a wild thought
Podcast Host 31:23
it is, I think it's a great place to to certainly mix with a very high caliber of students from all around the world, in terms of the role of visual arts, in a world that is increasingly focused on STEM, what do you think is the role of Fine Arts, the arts in general, in the future of work?
Faith 31:42
I think that it's something that makes the world a lot more colorful. And it's one of the things that gives mankind so much about humanity, you know, I believe that arts, it kind of helps to capture a snapshot of the time that we are in, whether it's like a moment in history, or even our current situation, because I think that the study shows that concession society will situations and issues that people are going through, and the toll from such a human lens. So for example, you will compare, for example, like a painting, or a sculpture that was made during this era, it will have these certain connotations, and this whole rich culture that is behind the story and concept that the artist comes up with, as well as his own personal touch, through his own interpretations, and even his physical presence that has been upon the work. I think that is something that is so powerful, it really captures that whole moment in history for something that generations down the road can look back on, and 32. And I think that arts is all of these things that are so universal, it doesn't matter what language you might speak, or what cultural background you come from, it's it's almost like a language all in itself that anyone can look to, and relate and find their own personal connections to. And I think that's really something that is so valuable. And it's something that is so important, even as time passes. And even as society changes so much. I think that the art City Hall is such an important space in our world. And it's not something that should ever be given up.
Podcast Host 33:11
Got the passion going there, I could see that that's something that's like really near and dear to you. That was like getting on the pulpit type of thing and pre preaching the benefit of arts, which I think is awesome. Like, I think, yeah, there's definitely a place for arts and I think a lot of students need to be reassured if they are passionate about art, that that is, you know, they do have a role in the future, whether it be in a career, it might not necessarily be the career path, they thought maybe it's a a, you know, addition, like you're doing like psychology plus arts or something like that. Or it could just be arts in general, but either way, like, I feel like they need to hear a voice like yours, to reassure them that no, like, if you love arts keep doing it because it is so important. It does have a place in our society and a very, very important one at that. Is there any way that students would be able to follow along with your journey to Oxford?
Faith 34:06
I guess I'm one place that I might be updating is over Instagram, if you want to. I guess you can follow my Instagram but I'm Faith Lee that's Faith Leyy.
Podcast Host 34:16
We might put that in the show notes then. But Faith. It's been awesome chatting.
Faith 34:20
I really thankful for letting me come on to the show. Yeah, I think it's Yeah, it's really nice to have been able to meet with you and talk with you.
Podcast Host 34:27
It's been my pleasure, Faith. Enjoy the trip to Oxford, and we look forward to hearing more from you soon.