The following is a discussion between two best friends with two different exchange semester experiences. One knew she wanted to experience as many new cities, countries, and cultures as she could, while the other knew she wanted to experience living in just one country.
Both found pieces of themselves in experiences that they will cherish for the rest of their lives. We hope to encourage future exchange students to create their own paths outside of the one we find ourselves on throughout this law school journey and think about how you can live life in a way that is uniquely special to you.
A law exchange is one way to do so.
But little by little, as you left their voices behind, the stars began to burn through the sheets of clouds, and there was a new voice which you slowly recognized as your own, that kept you company as you strode deeper and deeper into the world, determined to do the only thing you could do— determined to save the only life you could save. — An excerpt from Mary Oliver’s “The Journey”
The people
Amsterdam
The university in Amsterdam, Netherlands places exchange students within the cohort of students taking their Master of Laws. I did not get to know a lot of the other students in the law program itself as the university seems quite transient and the school does not put on events for just law students on exchange. However, this is what I was looking for. Instead of meeting people through school I joined run clubs (Amsterdam has so many!) focused on building community. One of my favourites was Sunday Run Club (which happened on Saturday’s). We would meet in Vondel Park, Amsterdam’s largest public park, and go for coffee afterwards. I met many incredible people through this run club, including a new lifelong friend. I also joined a run club that was started by a new women’s clothing brand, Philos Running, which was a fun way to meet people in the city working on creative projects and businesses. Picture running through the canals of Amsterdam, chatting with people from all over the world – it was especially beautiful once the lights were set up for Christmas!
Hamburg
The exchange school in Hamburg, Germany was dedicated to ensuring that all exchange students became one big family. There were many events and our classes were only with other exchange students, not with the general student body. This allowed me to make new, beautiful friends quickly and begin the traveling (the real fun). Everyone I met was lovely. Most people in Germany could speak some English which helped, and the school offered a Beginner German Language course for students which I scraped by in – so Guten Tag, Ich Liebe Hamburg!
The academic experience
Amsterdam
I LOVED my courses. I took various courses with an international law focus which helped me understand a lot of the policy justifications for laws we have in Canada. The readings and evaluations were incredibly manageable.
Hamburg
The academic experience was very relaxed and fun. Apart from mandatory class attendance, course subjects were taught slowly with reduced content. The school knows that exchange students are there to learn the law, but also to learn about the world, culture, and themselves. The reduced workload and the class schedule allowed me to travel regularly.
Should I Stay or Should I Go Now?
Amsterdam
Get out of here! Go! I feel lucky and grateful to have experienced what living in Amsterdam is like. I had my own bike, met lifelong friends and gained experiences that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I also learned a lot of life lessons. The community of people I met were not in the legal world, and I think that it is important to step outside of the environment where we are all working towards the same career, and meet people doing different jobs. This opened me up to ways of living and career paths that were not on my radar prior .
Hamburg
Definitely go go go! I feel very fortunate to have been able to visit 18 countries during my time abroad. This travel allowed me to grow as a person and learn about culture, food, love, and inner strength. I have learned more about the world in the last four months than in my lifetime.
Finances
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is generally an expensive city, but still comparable to Halifax (my rent and groceries were about the same). I would prepare to have some extra savings for a bit travel and adventures along the way!
Hamburg
There is no added cost tuition wise when going on exchange because you simply pay Schulich tuition. However, travelling around becomes expensive with buses, trains, and planes (but red-eyes are definitely cheaper if you’re trying to save your pennies like I was). Sleeping eye mask, noise cancelling headphones, and a lock for your travel bag are essential!
Opportunities outside of the law school
Amsterdam
After attending a concert in Brussels I jumped on a plane to attend to a climate change litigation workshop in Bristol which was one of the highlights of my time abroad. I would highly encourage attending conferences in subjects you are interested in while away. It is cheap to fly within Europe and attending these conferences opens up opportunities to create a broader network and exposes you to new legal, global issues.
Hamburg
While I did not attend any academic opportunities outside of the law school, I did attend a Halloween Party at Dracula’s Castle in the Transylvania region of Romania which (and I may be biased) was essential to my exchange experience. Not to mention skiing in Austria and Switzerland which teaches us East Coasters a thing or two about good powder.
Interpreting adventure
Amsterdam
Meeting new people, being so relaxed you fall asleep under a tree mid-afternoon in a park, biking to wine bars to meet friends, being exposed to so many different ways of living this one, beautiful life, and lastly, gazelligheid.
Hamburg
Sleep deprivation, meeting new people, food tours on Bulgarian Mountain Yogurt, and being in complete awe of our beautiful world.
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