Why did you choose to study abroad and why at Bucerius specifically?
I didn't have a chance to study abroad while in undergrad, but had always wanted to spend time in Germany to improve my language skills. Bucerius's program focus on international and comparative business law was a great match with my academic interest in international disputes, and afforded me the chance to practice my German in social settings, so it seemed like a perfect fit for me!
Would you recommend studying abroad to other American JD students?
Absolutely! The subjects I was able to study while Bucerius were different from what is available at my home university, but complementary to that curriculum. In addition, the opportunity to learn alongside students from so many different legal traditions added a lot of nuance and depth to the coursework because I was able to hear firsthand how different jurisdictions approach legal issues either similarly or differently than in the United States.
Plus, the class schedule allowed for a ton of cool travel opportunities that I wouldn't have had the opportunity to do otherwise.
In what way was studying at Bucerius different than at your home law school?
The courses I took this semester were more comparative in nature than traditional doctrinal courses. Rather than learning just about how a certain area law is treated under just German or EU law, I got to explore how issues like jurisdiction and causation differ between several legal systems, and how this can impact where companies and individuals choose to bring litigation.
There was also less emphasis on analyzing cases and judicial decisions, and instead the reading materials included more scholarly and policy articles in line with the civil law approach.
How did your work experience affect your goals/ mindset regarding studying abroad?
As a law student, I’ve focused my coursework on exploring international issues by taking courses in international law, interning at the U.S. Court of International Trade, and participating on the Vis Moot International Commercial Arbitration Team.
These experiences reaffirmed my desire to engage with international issues and maximize learning opportunities from colleagues of different backgrounds and viewpoints as a lawyer, and there is no better way to do that than by spending time abroad and learning with a cohort of international students.
