I am a 22-year-old Philosophy and Economics student eager to face challenging questions about humanity and its relationship with reality. This year, I have the chance to pursue this at the University of Oxford.
What do I hope to achieve through my studies at Oxford?
I am eager to join the young generation of academics who are working to revive philosophy and nurture civil society in 21st-century, making philosophy accessible to future politicians, scientists, doctors, lawyers, and all those who should be willing to ask and answer difficult questions. This spring, I was accepted as a student of philosophy for the academic year 2025/26 at Oxford, Pembroke College, which admitted only eight such students worldwide. This offer represents a valuable milestone on my way to Philosophy.
Philosophy is an effort to know the Truth and to give it primacy over power, to search, and uphold what has been found. It offers the ability to think carefully and enter into dialogue with the authors on whom the Western heritage was built. It provides an analytical perspective that clarifies emotionally charged discussions, enabling a critical examination of the principles on which social discourse is often blindly and violently based. I believe that this effort can cultivate public debate and thus reduce the susceptibility to populism and the strained emotions that accompany cultural and ethical issues.
Why oxford?
- Tutorial system: As part of the program, students weekly write two essays, which are then analysed in intensive conversations with an academic. This provides a rare degree of personal attention from academics, fostering a dialectical teaching approach—a sharing of minds that is essential to sharpening philosophical thinking.
Philosophical paradise: Oxford has a deep philosophical tradition. For nearly a millennium it has been led and guided by the most influential thinkers. The genius loci of Oxford breathes J.H. Newman, G.E.M. Anscombe, or Tolkien.
- Academic excellence: Oxford is recognised as one of the best universities, even across groups with different worldviews, lending philosophy respect it lacks elsewhere. Close contact with genius academics and talented fellow students from around the world opens the door to doing philosophy at a professional and excellent level.
I hold the support of these figures:
“Aneta combines analytical skills, social values, critical thinking and creativity in an outstanding manner. She excels at, and seems to truly enjoy, discussing challenging or thought-provoking material of all kinds, whether applied, abstract, foundational or highly mathematical. She has all the hallmarks of a true philosopher. I am convinced that a year at Oxford would be a stepping stone in her intellectual development.“
Prof. Dr. Olivier Roy
Co-head of the Department of Philosophy at UBT
Co-director of undergraduate P&E program
Mgr. Martin Luterán, MJur, MPhil, DPhil
Rector of the Collegium of Anton Neuwirth
“Helping young Slovaks get a world-class education might be one of the best investments in the future of this country. We need to support intelligent and smart young people who are already inspiring personalities at a young age. Such personalities are also aware of their commitment to their country and have the courage, perseverance and creativity to find ways to fulfil it. From knowing Anet, I know that she is such a personality and will use her studies not only for her own benefit, but for the benefit of many others and for the good of Slovakia.”
„Aneta is for me a synonym of intelligence, honest work and purposefulness. It’s a powerful combination that she combines with a desire to be helpful. I believe she will change the world for the better with her passion for learning and science. She is already doing that.”
Miroslava Duranková
Cofounder and CEO at Great Works Academy
My mentor in the Collegium of Anton Neuwirth
Mag. Theol. Miroslav Házy
Director of CM Exchange Program
“I know Anet from our Catholic CM Exchange program, through which she spent half a year at Don-Bosco-Gymnasium in Essen, Germany. Since then, Anet has been involved in our CM program in organizing events for our new candidates and is also active in the Alumni Team. Anet is a deeply religious, intelligent young woman who strives to live her faith authentically. From the beginning, I see her as one who seeks truth in broader and deeper contexts and is not afraid to think critically in doing so.”
My journey
Jur Hronec Grammar school
I attended the highest ranked grammar school in Slovakia. I competed in debate tournaments, winning several awards and qualified for the national team of the International Public Policy Forum competition. In addition to debate I studied Maths extensively, ranking in the 96th percentile of the Slovak and Czech wide aptitude exam. Thanks to the CM Exchange Program, I spent a semester at a high school in Germany.
Passion for philosophy
Gradually, questions opened up in me that went beyond debating, and I immersed myself in philosophical books. Reading led to essay writing, and I won 1st and 2nd place in the Sofia National Essay Contest two years in a row.
Collegium of Anton Neuwirth (CAN)
My one-year study at CAN has inflamed my love for the truth. I went through a personal conversion and rebuilt my worldview from the bottom-up. It ignited in me a desire to know the reality of man and to contribute to answering important questions adequately. I wrote 56 essays over the course of the year and was the single honors recipient.
Philosophy and Economics (P&E)
With a desire to explore the reality of men from all perspectives, I applied to Bayreuth University, the only German university offering a P&E program. Here I am learning to keep my head in the clouds with my feet on the ground. Thanks to my academic success, I was offered a position of a student assistant by both the mathematics and philosophy faculties. I am currently a student assistant for the professor of epistemology, in addition to teaching tutorials in epistemology.
Cusanuswerk
In my first year of studies I was accepted to the Cusanuswerk Scholarship Programme, a German scholarship for gifted and socially engaged students awarded to 1% of students in Germany. It is only thanks to the support of Cusanuswerk that studying at Oxford is conceivable for me.
Volunteering
I realize that we couldn’t do without people with common sense and warm hearts, so I try to help the communities I’m a part of. During high school I was an animator at Salesian camps and helped organize the Bratislava Hanus Days. Later I became part of the CM Exchange team and last year I supported CAN as an academic intern.
Free time
I believe in all-round areté, so I try to move as much as I can. My favourite mountain range is Slovak Mala Fatra. I played badminton for many years and now I play ultimate frisbee at university. Together with friends, I lead and organize weekly reading and discussion meetings on theology and philosophy.
You can support me here:
IBAN: SK1111000000002936430090
Name of the account: Aneta Juhaniakova
OR here:
PayPal: aneettax@gmail.com
Thanks to all that have supported me!
Want to know more/have questions?
Mail: anetajuhaniakova@gmail.com
You can view the confirmation of acceptance and tuition fees to Pembroke College [here].
Last update: 24.10.2025