Iona, from University of Southampton, United Kingdom

Not only did I learn so much about the law, but the programme helped me to develop more independence as a solo traveller and self-confidence.

Why did you choose to study at SULaw Summer Programme 2024?

I have always wanted to visit Sweden, and this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The opportunity to meet more international students, and study law whilst exploring Stockholm seemed too good to be true! I was extremely grateful to find out that my home university had nominated me for the position, and I am so glad that I completed the summer school.

Which courses did you choose and why did you choose them?

I chose ‘International Commercial Arbitration’ and ‘Human Rights in a Digital Age’ in Session 3. My curiosity for international law has been strong for many years, and this opportunity reaffirmed this. Naturally, I knew that I would find the ‘Human Rights in a Digital Age’ module very interesting and I did enjoy the collaborative class discussions. I chose ‘International Commercial Arbitration’ because it was not something offered by my home university and so I took it as an opportunity to learn something new. We also had the opportunity to visit the SCC Arbitration Institute which was a great legal experience and I was able to connect with the presentation speakers on LinkedIn for future questions!

What are your tips and tricks to make the best of the course(s)?

I feel like my best piece of advice is to manage your time efficiently. It is very tempting to ignore the academic commitments to my classes, especially when I was in a new country for the first time. Naturally, the only thing you can think of is seeing everything you can in the city. However, I would never recommend this. The classes are just as much your input as they are your teachers. I feel like the more work you put into the course, the more you will receive back. You don’t have many hours in classes anyway, so make sure to prepare and contribute as much as you can. Also, once you finish prepping for your classes, you will have the rest of the day to explore stress-free!

What did you enjoy the most during your stay in Stockholm?

I really enjoyed meeting such amazing people and exploring the beautiful city of Stockholm. My favourite memory of Stockholm is probably swimming in the lake near our accommodation whilst the sun was setting. It was a beautiful moment I am grateful to have shared with the friends I made there. Additionally, I loved how close the city centre was to our accommodation, I did treat myself to fantastic food and some fashionable Swedish clothes!

Why should other students choose to study our Summer programme?

I think students should study the SULaw Summer programme because they will make lifelong memories and friends. Not only did I learn so much about the law, but the programme helped me to develop more independence as a solo traveller and self-confidence. Additionally, the travel ticket included within the programme fees allowed us to have almost unlimited travel (by all modes of public transport) around Stockholm, which was so fantastic for exploring the city to the fullest. The course modules are also taught by passionate lecturers who want to share their love of the law with us as young student lawyers.

How would you summarize SULaw Summer programme with 3 words?

Exciting, Collaborative, Motivating

(Interview from 2024)