Why I chose the UK for my Legal Education

Here are some of the reasons I decided to take a leap of faith and move to the UK for law school instead of attending in the States.

Opportunity

I am a firm believer that London is the center of the world. I think I really wanted to be a part of that energy. I very quickly outgrew my hometown and knew that I needed to make a big change. London is a hub for technology, legal, political, and medical advancements. I really think that some of the best of the best work and live in London so it's definitely competitive! My advice is--if you are passionate about your goal or career-- apply yourself as much as possible and say yes to the opportunities that excite you because you never know where they may lead!

Quality of Life

When it comes to a quality of life I really wanted to focus on an environment I felt I flourished. My mom was the biggest advocate for my move to the UK and constantly told me that I was glowing with joy when I visited the UK. I wanted a type of life where I could be a person first, not just a student or employee. The UK really prioritizes and respects human needs such as minimum of 28 days paid leave, sick leave, and around 52 weeks of maternity leave. These are all things I considered as I wanted an environment that would support my well being. I think that I have started but not completely slowed down on weekends. I have adopted the English standard of living- prioritizing my joys and hobbies (and the rare good weather).

Education

Picking a school was the biggest focus in choosing to make the move. I wanted a program with a reputation for law, something that allowed me to use US loans, and where I didn't start from square one. For those who don't know the UK legal education is different from the US for a number of reasons. Perhaps the biggest difference is students can receive a law degree right out of their high school equivalent. Compared to the American system where law school is a three-year program after you have secured a bachelors degree and have taken the LSAT. Lucky for me I found a program for postgraduate students that allows me to graduate with honours LLB (Legum Baccalaureus, if we want to get technical) in two years instead of a three-year bachelor’s program. The school has a strong history as well with its legal history beginning in 1852 as a sole provider of bar training in the UK. I felt confident that I would receive an education from a school that was familiar to firms and chambers alike. Lastly, what most students worry about is the funding, luckily my university accepts FASFA. Even after paying as an international student my overall bill (including living in one of the most expensive cities in the world) was 3 times cheaper than my number one choice school in the state.

Closing Thoughts

I can say that I would have still had a great time attending law school in the states and that I would have done well too. I think when it came down to it I just knew that I was young and that the world was out there waiting for me so I took the leap of faith. I can say that I don't think I would have grown so much individually unless I left what felt comfortable and safe for the excitement of the unknown. I would encourage anyone who wants to leave their comfort zone and try something new. I think that getting an education and investing in yourself and success is one of the best times to do so.