Alexander Sun beaming with Oxford anticipation.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a teenage mind as sharp, questing and kind as the one that sits sparkling away inside Alexander Sun.
It’s about to get a whole lot more sheen too, for Alexander has secured himself a place in one of the world’s most prestigious programmes – Oxford University’s philosophy, politics and economics degree (PPE).
At just 18 years of age, Alexander has been enrolled at Otago for the best part of three years. He started inching his way towards tertiary study at the age of 15 when his SAT test put him in the 99.9th percentile.
A Logan Park High School student at the time, he tested the academic waters with a University of Canterbury maths paper before turning his gaze towards Otago for a broader course of study.
He won the University of Otago Dux Scholarship and Academic Excellence Entrance Scholarship (2023).
He’s notched up many papers towards a Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (majoring in Economics and Philosophy with a minor in Music). He didn’t take a gentle route either – he ran straight towards the likes of quantum mechanics and advanced macroeconomic theory.
This might explain why he didn’t find the Oxford application process overly daunting.
There are few degrees that carry the same historical freight as Oxford’s PPE. The Guardian called it “the Oxford degree that runs Britain,” and “a global status symbol of academic achievement and worldly potential”.
Founded over a century ago, its list of alumni boasts many powerful public figures, including former prime ministers like Rishi Sunak, Tony Abbott and Benazir Bhutto.
So does Alexander fancy himself as a future prime minister? Not in the least. He’s in it for the scholarly adventure.
“I just enjoy having a broad range of things to learn and think about – the pure intellectual indulgence of it.”
Though he thrills to a hard challenge and likes a top grade, Alexander’s motivation is more nuanced than that.
“When you improve on something, you start to see the philosophical and artistic beauty in it – especially with things like music and chess. So that’s what I strive for – to let my passion find the unique beauty in each field. That’s what drives me.”
His former high school maths teacher, John Major, clocked that drive.
“Alexander's mind is sharp and one of the best I've had the pleasure of teaching. However, his strength is this ability coupled with his work ethic and drive. I feel there are others who have been equally as talented but have lacked the desire to really push themselves.”
So where does this push come from – is it nature or nurture?
“Partly nature, because I feel a desire to give my best and overcome challenges in everything I do. But from a young age my parents inspired me to push myself and explore wider interests.”
His family is one of his superpowers. It’s close and nurturing. Alexander’s parents moved to New Zealand from China when he was eight in a bid to ensure their three children had the best chance of health – both physical and mental.
“School in China was really tough. Most students were not getting enough sleep. My parents decided we didn’t need to do out-of-school academic programmes like most of our peers. They thought the high schools there would sacrifice too much health and balance for us.
“The other reason we moved is that we were sensitive to the food and air pollution in China. Because health was our main priority, we wanted to find a cleaner environment. I think I’m very blessed to have my parents, to be honest.”
Alexander counts his time at Otago as the perfect launch pad for his Oxford mission and says his lecturers offered up far more than their knowledge.
He praises Associate Professor Mikkel Anderson (Physics), Professor Charles Pigden (Philosophy), Professor Lisa Ellis (Director Philosophy, Politics and Economics), Professor Terence Dennis (Music) and Dr Murat Üngör (Economics) for “infusing their own character into what they do. That’s what I aspire to”.
“But I think the person I looked up to the most was Murat – not only for the support and inspiration he offered, but how he encouraged me to dream and open my eyes. That’s something I’ll keep forever.”
Allexander starts his academic adventure next month. Asked if there’s anything about Oxford that daunts him, he says, “balance”.
“I’ll have to make sure I don’t push myself too much.”
Will his parents FaceTime in from Dunedin to check that he’s not burning the midnight oil?
“They know what I’m like, so they’ll probably try and keep me under control. They tell me to go to bed all the time.”
Kōrero by Claire Finlayson, Communications Adviser (Otago Business School)