“What I wish someone had told me earlier was: just do it. In retrospect it was the best time of my entire life, it put my whole life into perspective and took me out of my Osgoode bubble,” said Armon Ghaeinizadeh ’24, reflecting on his exchange experience at the University of Kent, England. His words struck a chord with the students who attended Osgoode Hall Law School’s Exchange Program Q&A session, an event aimed at first- and second-year JD students interested in studying abroad.
Held on November 13, the session began with an introduction from Dr. Carys Craig, Associate Dean of Research and Institutional Relations, who underscored the transformative potential of exchange programs. Dr. Craig highlighted how these opportunities provide fresh perspectives on law, promote cultural understanding, and help students build international networks that can shape both their personal and professional paths.
Current students and alumni shared personal stories about the impact of studying abroad. JD student Alice Sandiford, who studied at Trinity College Dublin, described the experience as “the kind of experience you don’t get when you’re [at home] – being able to go to different places while you’re studying, while you’re learning, it’s really interesting.” She added, “Ultimately the law is an academic tool, and you can choose what you want to do with it, and being on an exchange makes you realize that there are so many more opportunities out there.”
Geneviève Roots ’24, echoed similar sentiments about her time at the University of Kent, where she observed that law schools abroad often encourage a balanced lifestyle. “The amount of personal growth I experienced while exploring Europe was incredibly rewarding and something I’ll always be grateful for,” she noted, emphasizing the value of connecting with locals.
For Brandon Pierre ’24, who studied at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium, the most valuable takeaway was an expanded worldview. “The best part about the exchange was the experience of having a legal education in another jurisdiction, and seeing how much of international law influences domestic law was really eye-opening,” he said.
“I learned that the world may all have laws, but each individual place has a unique system of laws,” shared Melissa MacDonald ’24 about her exchange at the University of Edinburgh. “The legal doctrines in Scotland may be similar to Canada, but the cases, nuances, and details of the law were slightly different. I am forever grateful for having my legal horizon expanded by going on exchange.”
Osgoode’s Exchange Program, along with its experiential education initiatives, mooting, and clinical opportunities, enriches the academic journeys of JD students by providing access to global learning experiences. For more information on Osgoode’s Exchange Program and its partner institutions, visit the website.