Ab Initio
9
fantastic and I really loved the teaching and assessment style. Materials were broken down into chunks, which you were tested on each week – each of those tests contributed to your final grade. This made the material far more manageable and I was able to retain the information on a long-term basis – I wasn't desperately cramming and regurgitating information in one massive exam at the end of the semester.
Socially, I had the best year of my life. I met some of the most fun, intelligent, diverse and interesting people from all over the world and I have been lucky to remain friends with many of them until this day. There was never a dull moment and I had the opportunity to travel elsewhere as well – trips included Montreal, Toronto and New York City, to name a few.
3. Did the university provide you with enough information about studying abroad?
No, I don't think there was very much information to begin with (hence why a lot of people hadn't heard about it). I believe the university have stepped up their advertising/marketing now though and I am sure there is a shed-load of information out there!
4. What are the benefits of studying abroad?
Where do I begin? From the outset, you gain real independence. From the moment you make that application, you are embarking on a journey that only you can control. I remember stepping off the plane, feeling the balmy, summer evening heat, seeing the lights of the city in the distance and just feeling entirely exhilarated but completely scared at the same time. Because I chose to live off campus, I had to stay in a hotel until I found an apartment to live in. I was completely on my own and had to make some big choices all by myself! It was strange but very rewarding. Another benefit is the development you make academically and socially. You are amongst all walks of life and you have to learn and adapt to new ways of thinking. Social and business etiquette are quite different and so what you learn will benefit you greatly if you ever decide to work for an international company/law-firm. The opportunity to travel is another huge benefit. North America is such a vast continent - every state, city, town and village is as individual and unique as the next. There is so much to explore, see and do, it's hard to imagine staying in one spot!!
5. How did you go about finding an international internship?
After coming back from study abroad, I found myself itching to go back out to the USA. I knew the only way I could justify doing so was to gain some work experience following my degree. I trawled the internet for legal internships in the USA and found some on job boards – I simply followed their specified application process (some will be clear in saying they will recruit US citizens only) and waited to hear from them. I also applied to the Mountbatten Programme – this was a longer process, which involved a couple of face-to-face interviews. The offer of an internship is not guaranteed with this programme so although I made it through to quite a late stage, I chose not to progress as I had a formal offer of internship elsewhere.
In terms of the internship I actually took, this was a very simple process (literally only a telephone interview!!). It was working for a Shadow Senator of Washington DC in his private law offices. It was a small firm, with only three other attorneys, but there were several other interns and it was a great opportunity to engage in some hands-on practical work.
6. What were the benefits of your international experience?
Again, having to be independent and self-sufficient was a huge benefit. Unfortunately, many of the US internships are unpaid, so I had to work ahead of time to save the money. I shared an apartment with other interns and pretty much looked after myself (although my boss and the other attorneys were fabulous and always made sure we were well looked after). I made lots of new friends and again got to travel to other places. The main benefit, however, was being able to apply what I had learned during study abroad to real life situations. I was also able to draw upon my studies back home and assist Clients who had legal issues involving European law. For three months, I was wholly immersed in several different aspects of my employers practice and gained invaluable experience (such as legal drafting, client communications and court hearings).
7. Did you encounter any difficulties during your internship?
Yes I sure did. There were often occasions where I felt the US interns were given better opportunities – there were days where I was stuck in the office and the other interns would be given a chance to go to Court or to an event but I realised that the experience was paramount to them as they were embarking on their own legal careers and the internship would have much more of an impact on them. I also found it difficult financially – not being paid eventually takes its toll when you do not have any other source of income. But luckily saving hard, good budgeting and some last minute generosity from my parents kept me going and I still managed to have a great time.
8. Has the internship benefitted your career?
100%. Employers (especially those with offices in the US) always take an interest in my internship and I am able to talk with authority about the things that I did whilst out in the USA. I can show that I have knowledge of a particular market, that I have an understanding of their business etiquette and how things work in an office out there. It is all really valuable information – even if we only end up talking about baseball!!
Sophie Doherty | Paralegal | Clyde & Co LLP