Bon voyage: My experience studying Law abroad – and why you should too

Nicole Wise

Our Chairwoman, unpacks the thrills, triumphs, and tribulations of her time in France

My time studying at Université Paris Descartes has been marked by two particularly monumental events; towards the end of my first term, the rather ‘French’ strikes - which rendered Parisienne transport almost completely inoperable, and halfway through my second term, the world-changing COVID-19 pandemic. Although both have undoubtedly created a study abroad incomparable to any other, my time in France provided me with experiences that have altered my mindset and enhanced my life skills indefinitely.

I spent my first month in Paris without accommodation. Alongside adjusting to studies in a new university, I found myself criss-crossing Paris, reading French housing contracts and meeting with landlords who spoke little or no English. This initial experience dramatically altered my attitude. Tackle the fear of talking to estate agents in broken French or go another day without permanent accommodation? The choice was obvious. Even when I finally signed for my university studio flat, upon arrival I was turned away for another week whilst they dealt with a squatter.

Studying itself was a huge cultural shock. As well as my course being entirely in French, most lectures lasted an average of three hours. Although draining, it was rewarding to see my level of French improve rapidly in a short period of time, more so than I have ever experienced - even during my two years studying the language at A Level. At first, I barely understood lectures; my notes consisted of half-written bullet points and question marks. By the start of the next term, I was capable of finishing a full set of notes and communicating with greater confidence and clarity in French.

Learning about how the law operates in a completely different jurisdiction and placing yourself in a perspective outside of England is an invaluable experience. To be able to learn about a country in their native language, at the epicentre of their culture, is an experience you can never truly replicate within the confines of your own country. In a way that I did not anticipate, it has also deepened my knowledge of English law, through being able to compare historical and political contexts in the development of different jurisdictions. I have gained a deeper insight into a legal system that varies substantially from the UK’s, learning from highly experienced professors who are experts in their field and in some cases had practiced, or were continuing to practice law themselves.

Unfortunately, my studies were disrupted by transportation strikes, which led my university to postpone our Christmas exams to early January. I really experienced the full extent of stereotypical French administration here; despite being initially informed that our exams were cancelled, our university, on multiple occasions, would decide to change dates or reschedule previously cancelled exams, sometimes providing us with just two days’ notice before doing so.

This sense of chaotic administration reinforced after France went into lockdown in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly a month later, I still had no exam timetable, no idea how I will be examined, and in some cases, no access to content being posted online. If anything, I have learnt to value and enjoy each day. Just the day before Emmanuel Macron announced that Paris would be going into lockdown, I was adamant that I did not want to leave. I used to jog through Jardin de Luxembourg, and now I run past my local brutalist-style hospital. Life really does come at you fast.

In terms of the impact on career prospects of studying law for a year abroad, I would highlight the significant academic development and the life skills I have learnt as some of the most beneficial aspects of my experience. Employers have consistently been impressed with the difficulty of my degree. During a vacation scheme interview at a magic circle law firm, one of the interviewing senior associates remarked that the French jurisdiction was the most difficult European legal systems to study; an observation that I have been left in no doubt about!

Studying abroad has also helped to develop my commercial awareness, through a greater appreciation and understanding of how wider political, social and cultural factors can affect international firms, and particularly how this varies from country to country. This is another advantage alongside broadening your legal knowledge and becoming working proficient in another language, a skill that employers are increasingly looking for. I have often found myself referring to my experience abroad in vacation scheme interviews, with feedback specifically referring to the strong examples I used in this case. So, if you have ever found yourself struggling with the ‘tell us about a difficult situation’ question in a job interview, spending a year abroad in France will very likely provide you with many of the answers you need.