Matthew

What do you like about your course and why?

I like my course because it is a subject that is deeply relevant and applicable to all aspects of life, especially the working world. When studying law, one will get the opportunity to learn about how the law impacts your life. One can learn about the UK legal system structure, the UK constitution, law relating to property, law relating to commercial transactions, and much more. The critical and methodical way of thinking practised in this subject will be very useful when searching for a job. 

Finally, the faculty in the law school are all brilliant and motivated. 

Often they will get involved in the events that the student run law society put on. The lectures and tutorials are often dynamic and interesting. However, in tutorials it is a students responsibility to contribute. If you want the tutorials in this course to be engaging, be sure to get involved.

What do you enjoy most about Surrey?

Surrey is enjoyable due to the wide range of societies that you can get involved in. Personally I have been involved in the Law Society and Salsa Society. The Law Society is filled with ambitious students who organise extra curricular activities and fun bar crawls. In the Law Society you will have the opportunity to compete in competitions such as negotiations, client interviewing and mooting. 

The Salsa Society provides classes up to three times a week and it is a great way to meet new people. The university also has cafes, a dining hall, a pub and a club on campus. All of this cultivates a social culture within the university.

Tell us about your study abroad year.

I completed a full year exchange with the University of Central Florida. This was one of the most incredible experiences of my life and my only criticism is that I didn't get to stay there longer. 

When you arrive at your exchange destination, you are almost immediately exposed to multiple cultures due to being around exchange students from across the globe. Having the opportunity to be in a different place and culture can feel surreal and exciting. 

In my exchange in Florida, I was able to go to American football games, practice authentic Cuban salsa, learn line dancing and celebrate the Super Bowl. I was also able to study the American legal system. I would advise if you do a year like this that you get involved with extra-curricular activities. I joined the mediation team and was able to travel to different states competing. I have made friendships that are still strong today and provide me with potential networking connections in the future. This is an experience that I cannot recommend enough.

What do you want to do when you graduate?

When I graduate I would like to work towards becoming a solicitor. The hope would be to eventually work at a well renowned firm. I am currently considering working in the legal area of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance)/sustainability. I am currently applying for jobs related to this so that I can eventually reach this goal.