Courses
LLM - an International Students Perspective
LL.M. … Three letters that stand for the tempting master’s degree in law. For me, an international student from Russia these letters have acquired a special sense. Language, Law, and Method of teaching.
Language. The nightmare called IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is gone and forgotten. I got the required marks and my first struggle with language ended up with a small but very pleasant victory.
Loaded with dictionaries and other useful materials I was ready to plunge into the new language environment. First of all I felt a sense of relief when I heard my future professors presenting their modules. Their English was clear and understandable. These sounds pleased my ears.
I soon discovered that my course was full of other international students and apart from a few people from the UK there were students from almost all over the world. English was our lengua franca in which we made presentations, shared opinions, and discussed topics!For me it is was a challenge to hear Chinese students making their presentations and giving their answers and I still wonder how our professors manage to make out all our different accents and understand all our questions!
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"Time flies. I only wish my course could have been longer!"
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Law. My course was designed for students from different countries with different legal systems. That is what made this program differ from my previous education. One can be a real expert in his own domestic legislation but in order to get on in an international course I think you need to make more effort to get the full understanding of law in general.
Our seminars often ended up with joint lunches where this colourful collection of LL.M. students could bring together all their ideas trying to find the best solution to different legal problems. At these moments you really feel that thought thrives on conflict!
Method of teaching. When I found out that we had only two seminars a week it was really new to me. In comparison to Russia where I six days of learning a week, from nine to four, that was strictly disciplined with a number of compulsory subjects. In fact, it has become a real challenge for me to change my approach to match the British education system.I have felt that my final results depended fully on me. I was able to get as much as from the course as I wanted. I adore this approach. It makes you feel responsible and it leaves you with a choice. It can lead to success as well as to failure for those not prepared for it.
Another new experience for me was the scary word “plagiarism”. Whilst writing presentations I still felt this terrible word shadowed me that made me re-read my presentations many times, but I think it’s only because fear has big eyes!
So What else does the LLM mean to me? Outside of the classroom the LLM means Leisure time, Luck and special Moments.
Leisure time. You can’t work hard if you don’t have enough free time to get a decent rest. After working hard you get a real satisfaction from your rest. The flexible timetable of the program gave me a wide range of opportunities to organize my time.However, this freedom has its pitfalls; it is only true in respect of well organized students. They know how to split up their time; they prepare in advance and live quite happily. But what about “rushers”? Well, this flexible schedule can makes their life even worse. I consider myself to be a rusher and unfortunately a lot of time was left to my discretion… so be careful.
Luck. What can I add to this word? I was happy to be on the course. It was a right choice. I recognise that a lot of things depend on the university itself, on the teachers and on how the program is organised. But still, for me at least, the LLM program itself is something one should try in his or her life. I feel so lucky to have had this experience. And yeah, I’m lucky to have learn to organise myself better so I have plenty time to finish my essays so maybe I’m not such a rusher any more!
Moments. It was only a one year of program but I already have a whole bunch of experiences and memories. My fellow students from different countries have become my real friends. Teachers have filled my e-mail box with their fair marks and remarks and I really considered myself to be a part of this course especially when I saw my presentation papers on the internet even if it is only on our LL.M. web page for the time being. Time flies. I only wish my course could have been longer!Katerina
04-10-2009
