The Future Diplomat

Octorial^™

Academic Experience

Key Points

Small class sizes ensure that each student receives individual attention from their tutors, providing a learning experience which is unique to their needs. This close proximity between students and teachers fosters close relationships and a supportive environment, which builds confidence amongst the young learners and encourages them to succeed.

Teachers challenge students to achieve to the maximum of their potential, and set milestones and goals for each student, with constant evaluation. This sets the pace for each learner to surpass their academic expectations and achieve more than they thought possible.

In tandem with a growing understanding of diplomatic issues, the course piques the intellectual curiosity of the learners by exposing them to a range of authentic sources from different areas of diplomacy including case-studies of historical events. This in turn develops participant’s critical thinking skills as they discuss and analyse them.

The mix of nationalities in the classroom and the wide range of materials covered creates an international outlook amongst students, broadening their horizons and exposing them to new ideas, cultures and ways of thinking.

Objectives of the study

Objectives of the stay

For aspiring diplomats.

The Future Diplomat

For learners aged 15 - 17 years with a B2 level or higher.

The future diplomat is tailored for those committed enough to embark on a career on a global stage. Diplomacy aids effective communication, particularly in negotiation. It also improves relationships, helping to build and develop mutual respect across cultures. In turn, this can lead to more successful outcomes in business, politics or domestic life, making situations less difficult or stressful.

• Art of diplomacy
The participants engage in the skills which are key to becoming an influential diplomat such as interpersonal skills, body language, social etiquette and appropriate conversations. They will also fine-tune their debating and negotiation skills, as well as role play, and speech writing abilities.

• Project work
Participants work on a project which takes the form of a blog, documentary or presentation. The project work helps develop research and brainstorming skills as well as giving the students training on how to critically analyse different media.

• Interpretation & Translation
In this workshop the participants will test their translating skills from their native language to English and study how important translating can be in diplomacy and international relations.

• Case study
The session focuses on a case study of people or events which allow the participants to analyse how they have influenced the world of diplomacy and international relations. Examples are the Arab Spring, the Cuban Air-Missile Crisis, 1945 Yalta conference, Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi, and The Berlin Wall.

• An educational field trip
Students will research a place to visit and, after doing so, they will present their findings and contrast them with their own culture.

Expectations

Outcomes

Effective communication skills and the ability to present a compelling argument with nuance and diplomacy, preparing students for their future careers.

An understanding of diplomacy and international relations, and how past events have shaped today’s world.

Accommodation

In the school residence

Secure, fully-supervised residential accommodation. All meals included.

Arrival and departure

Transfer

On arrival days, a shuttle is scheduled to leave for the school at the following times:

- Gatwick airport: 18.00

- Heathrow airport: 18.00

- St. Pancras: 18.00

Students should choose a flight/ train that lands / arrives 90 minutes before the shuttle departure. They should also be aware that the earlier they arrive the longer their wait at the airport/station. A representative will be at the airport or station 5 hours before the departure of the shuttle to welcome the students and provide assistance.

On departure days, a shuttle will drop the students at the following time:

- Gatwick: 11.30

- Heathrow: 11.30

- St. Pancras: 11.30

Students should choose a flight or train that departs at least 2 hours after the above drop off times. They should also be aware that the later the flight the longer the wait.

A representative will stay at the airport or the station 5 hours after the arrival of the shuttle to provide assistance while waiting to go through the departures gate.

Culture