Nick Ferreira
South Africa-at-Large, 2003
BPhil Philosophy
Wolfson College
Currently studying at Oxford
My name is Nick Ferreira. I'm reading for the B.Phil in Philosophy, at Wolfson College. Most of my time at Oxford is spent working, as the B.Phil is very demanding – though I manage to find some time to play soccer and do kung-fu. The most important thing about the Rhodes Scholarship and Oxford University for me has been the opportunity to be taught by some of the best philosophers in the world, and to meet other Rhodes Scholars from around the world. There are loads of interesting lectures and events here during term, so I'm always kept on my intellectual toes.
I'm originally from Witbank in Mpumalanga. I attended Pretoria Boys High School, and then after taking a gap year to work and travel in Europe, I went to Rhodes University in Grahamstown. I started off doing Journalism, but I was soon hooked on Philosophy, and ended up doing honours. While at university, I was very involved in debating, both as a competitor in national and world universities championships, and as one of the founders of the SA schools debating programme. I also played water-polo, soccer and rugby.
When I complete my degree at Oxford, I'm going to come back to South Africa to do an LLB, either at UCT or Wits law school. I hope to practise as an advocate. My main interest is human rights law, and my studies in political philosophy here are helping to shape my views on many of the pressing rights issues facing South Africa today.