Sadly, I didn’t try any snails but the wine was exceptional and I could really get used to eating bread all the time. The four-hour lectures were questionable and I can confirm that the French really do strike all the time…
I am a Law with French Law graduate from the University of Birmingham. Join me as I take you with me on an adventure…
A Year Abroad and Why
If you choose to study a language or your degree has a ‘sandwich year’, then a year abroad can be the third year of your undergraduate degree. In Europe, it forms part of the ERASMUS programme. Some choose to study or work on their year abroad, but we had to study.
If you are a keen linguist and want immerse yourself into a language, then I would recommend a year abroad.
I studied French, German and Latin at school and French and German at A-Level. I knew that alongside law, I wanted to continue developing my language skills. It wasn’t easy choosing between French and German but having undertaken two French work experience placements in sixth form, I concluded that I had a better understanding of living in France and my communication skills were more advanced. (I probably would’ve chosen a French and German degree, perhaps with History, if I hadn’t gone down the legal route).
If you enjoy experiencing new cultures and are considering an international career, then a year abroad is also for you.
Working/studying in a foreign country gives you an insight into other cultures and the way they operate. The experience can either make or break your decision to have an international career.
Logistics and Adjustment
I chose Bordeaux for my year abroad. I wanted a city that was less urbanised than Paris and I wanted to be able to travel easily.
Looking for somewhere to live was a NIGHTMARE. The French seem to have a vicious circle of needing a French address to get a bank account and a French bank account to rent somewhere. Naturally, I had neither. I was lucky to visit Bordeaux during the summer that I could find somewhere to live, and thankfully I did.
I chose to live with a French lady and two other students. By living with my landlady, I hoped that I would be subsumed into the French culture and my French did indeed drastically developed as I was forced to speak French with her. The house had a nice garden and was located next to several vineyards and a big wood (ideal for running)! There was also a swimming pool nearby and a local bakery.
Whilst the house was an equal distance to the city centre, airport and university, I would have preferred to live in the city centre to be closer to my friends and avoid missing the last tram on a night out (TOP TIP).
After waving goodbye to my mum, I did feel slightly lost. I had a lot to learn; where the nearest supermarket was, how navigate myself around the city and importantly, to understand the French culture and make some friends.
I had to learn to budget. I wasn’t on a holiday anymore and so euros would be my currency for the foreseeable future. Buying English food was extremely expensive and so I had to adapt my diet accordingly. Baguettes, cheese and beef were extremely cheap with fish, pork and chicken being a lot more expensive. Also note to do a food shop during the week as all shops close on a Sunday!
As a student, we of course scouted out the cheap bars and pubs and the drinks weren’t exactly cheap!
Thankfully, there was a big ERASMUS community in Bordeaux and I spent the first few weeks meeting students from various universities and establishing a friendship group.
I had to adapt to strangers saying ‘Salut, ça’va’ all the time and also, having to do the obligatory two kisses when meeting a new French person (which my group of friends actually adopted after a while).
Academics
As mentioned, my year abroad was spent studying to obtain a certificate called a ‘Certificat du Droit Français) which essentially recognises one year of studying French law at undergraduate level.
I really can’t quite describe the experience of attending a French university. Only that my seminars were in cabins, I had four hour lectures WITHOUT ANY PRESENTATIONS OR HANDOUTS and my seminars started at 8AM and 6PM. It was what I would call, an educational bootcamp. On the plus side, the coffee and croissants were super cheap.
NOTE: French university is free (save for 200 euros for some kind of insurance). With this in mind, it is easier to understand the lack of comfort, facilities and support.
I studied the same modules as the French students (so yes before you ask, my lectures, seminars and notes were all in French). The core modules were similar to those back home; French Constitutional Law and French Civil/Criminal Law, and then we chose optional modules so I chose European Constitutional Law and the theory behind French Criminal Law (I actually cant directly translate this).
Since we were ERASMUS students, we did have additional French language classes.
The main difference in terms of both legal systems is that the French legal system is codified. This means that all law is embodied in either the Constitution or in a ‘Code’ (so a civil code or criminal code). There is very little case law, which actually makes learning the law easier because you are able to pinpoint where the legislation is locate.
My exams were written and oral (as if a French written exam wasn’t scary enough), but I had them in January and June as back home. Exams were marked out of 20. Whilst oral exams were petrifying, fewer details were required so I felt it was easier to get your point across. I somehow managed 18/20 on one of my exams!!!
Everything about the French education system was different to England. I’m glad I had the opportunity to experience it and it made me very thankful for my University back home.
Outside of Academics
At the weekends, I could be found walking alongside the river eating macaroons from the Chartrons market or visiting a nearby town/city.
I was able to visit Paris, Strasbourg and Spain alongside the famous wine village Saint-Émilion, which is only a few miles away from Bordeaux.
The weather stayed warmed until October and started to get warm again in April. This meant we could take advantage of going to the beach (about an hour away) and visit the famous Dune du Pilat. We used to flock to Bordeaux’s man-made beach called Le Lac and there were several parks to picnic in.
There were plenty of crêperies and steak restaurants to experience, as well as the Council subsidised wine bar, where you really could get a glass of wine for two euros. During Christmas, Bordeaux had Christmas Markets where you could drink lots of chocolat chaud (hot choc).
There weren’t many clubs in Bordeaux and the few there were, were a bit dodgy. Nights out were mainly house gatherings (soirées) or attending several bars.
Skills and Applications
You develop a wealth of transferrable skills during a year abroad that can be used on training contract applications. A year abroad really can be a selling point, but it is HOW you use it that is key.
International firms
If you are seeking multi-jurisdictional work in a global law firm and the chance of an international secondment, then a year abroad provides excellent backing for this. It demonstrates that you have already immersed yourself in the international community, experienced other cultures, effectively communicated in another language and acquired an understanding of another legal system.
You can also explain how your language skills will facilitate inter-office communication and communication with international clients.
In terms of an international secondment, a year abroad demonstrates that you are already capable of living and working independently in a foreign country and so embarking on a secondment will not be as daunting.
National firms
If you are applying to a national law firm, do not say that your year abroad confirmed your ambition to be an international lawyer. This is a waste of word count.
Instead, you need to explain how certain skills that you developed on your year abroad will help mould you into a lawyer.
On a year abroad, you will develop problem-solving skills; figuring out how another city operates. You will develop communication skills; learning to convey your point across in another language. You can quickly adapt to a different environment but still successfully thrive. Your self-awareness and confidence will improve as you learn how to make friends and establish yourself within a different culture. All these skills are transferrable into a legal environment and demonstrate that you acquired the relevant skills to be a lawyer from an unusual setting.
Comparatively, lots of national law firms now have ‘best friend networks’; where they work with Counsels in other countries. In this instance, you would be able to draw on the more international elements of your year abroad.
To Conclude
Embarking on a year abroad really is a once in a lifetime experience and can be a decision maker in respect of your career path. Not only will you conquer working/studying in a foreign country but also you will experience a whole new culture, cuisine and language.
A year abroad can be an interesting topic for applications and interviews and can often determine which type of firm you want to work for.
My advice: venture out of you comfort zone and explore the wonderful world we live in!
As always, comments and ideas are welcome.
Stay safe
LegallyRun x