Arzé Khodr
Lebanese playwright and copywriter, Arzé, was drawn to the Certificate of Higher Education after pursuing one of the Department’s short online courses. Specialising in Creative Writing, Arzé wrote a full-length play that was chosen as the Middle East regional winner of the BBC International Playwriting Competition 2023.
‘My name is Arzé, I am a Lebanese playwright and a freelance copywriter. Last year, I completed a Certificate of Higher Education in Creative Writing.
‘My journey with Oxford Lifelong Learning began quite by chance. In the Summer of 2021, I was browsing online courses simply out of curiosity when I discovered the flexible online courses. Through the forums, I then discovered that some students were enrolled in a Certificate of Higher Education. After completing another course, I became quite hooked on the flexibility of online learning. There is something extremely enjoyable about the autonomy the format offers: you study in your own time and can research more deeply into anything that interests you. So, I decided to apply.
‘As a theatre graduate, I was eager to explore different forms of writing, and the variety of creative writing courses available allowed me to do just that.
‘For me, the most challenging part was keeping pace with the group and submitting my assignments on time when unexpected circumstances arose or when work became particularly demanding. As a freelancer, there were times when things became very hectic. I also faced several personal challenges during my studies, including a bereavement, moving apartments, and the outbreak of war in Lebanon (I live in Beirut…)
‘Even attending the Award ceremony last March was a challenge in itself, as the airport is in a war zone and many flights were cancelled.
‘I have to say that, throughout, the tutors and the course administrators were very supportive, and that also helped a lot. Although online studying can sometimes feel lonely, if you reach out, you will always find help.
‘It might sound obvious, but the most rewarding part was completing the assignments. Each additional assignment is a journey in itself: you have an idea, it grows inside you, as a writer you dread the moment when you have to start writing, you are scared it is trivial or has no meaning, but you have to do it because you have no choice, and then you do it. And whatever the result, you are always, always surprised by what comes out.
‘The short assignments we submit to pass the courses were also an opportunity to learn a lot. I can say that, after the course, I know for a fact that when I have to write, I will write, whatever the subject. Again, this may sound obvious, but this discipline has helped build my confidence as a writer and really helped me “trust the process.”
‘Curiously enough, writing and thinking about writing actually gives you more time to write. So, while studying, I wrote a full-length play that was chosen as the Middle East regional winner of the BBC International Playwriting Competition 2023.
‘I hope that in the coming years, I will have the chance to pursue an MSt in Creative Writing.
‘To anyone interested in studying with Oxford Lifelong Learning, I would say, go for it. Whether it’s an online course just for fun or an award course, choose a subject that interests you, and you’ll be surprised by how much you can learn.’