Katrina (Sem 2, 2022)

My Exchange at Esade Law School

Q&A

What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?

Being able to travel so easily around Europe, getting to interact with a bunch of new cultures – I especially loved taking Comparative Law, as my classmates all did presentations on the legal system in their country, and it was so interesting to see how different and similar we all were.

Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?

If you’re in Barcelona, it’s definitely worth it to take a road trip up Costa Brava – there are trains to Girona, or you can rent a car with some friends, the beaches are incredibly beautiful and it’s a super cheap way to see parts of Spain that not many people visit!

What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?

Be prepared for much later meal times in Spain! Stay on top of the various forms you need to fill out – both for UoA and your host university, but also for visa applications and other travel requirements – because there are a lot, and it can be very overwhelming if you leave them to the last minute.

Say yes to everything in your capacity! Exchanges are a great chance to experience more than just academic life, so try new hobbies, see new places, and make the most of it.

How much did you budget for your exchange? Was this enough? Were there any lessons learned that would help future students budget for their own exchange?

I think you’ll always end up spending more than you anticipate, because it’s very hard to say no to fun new adventures! But remember that it’s one of the last chances you might have to travel this much, so I would say it’s better to make the most of it while you can.

What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?

There’s so much to see in the world, and going on exchange really opens your mind to just how many possibilities there are for your future, so it becomes so much more than an academic experience.