“[While applying to law schools,] I saw that Temple Law is highly regarded for its international law program. It felt like fate when I saw that they have a campus in Italy and many exchange partnerships with other universities worldwide.”
As an undergraduate, I initially decided not to participate in study abroad, opting instead for a solo trip to Italy following graduation. When I got to Italy, I found myself alone without a clear plan, which caused me to start thinking seriously about my goals for both the trip and my future. It was during this time that I decided to reconsider law school.
When it came time to research different law programs, I saw that Temple Law is highly regarded for its international law programs. It felt like fate when I saw that they have a campus in Italy and many exchange partnerships with other universities worldwide. I applied to Temple Law knowing that I wanted to go back to Italy. I did not know that my studies at Temple would take me all over Europe and eventually to Tokyo!
Before leaving for Italy, I felt anxious because of my solo trip, but this time was different! I had the wisdom I gained from that experience, and more importantly, I had both the structure and support of Temple behind me. Temple’s study abroad program goes much deeper than the courses; it opens your eyes to new ideas and new worlds. My favorite class in Rome was Global Legal Perspectives because we were able to hear from guest speakers, visit other universities, go to the Italian Supreme Court, and meet attorneys who work in Italy. The most memorable event for me was going to the Fosse Ardeatine Memorial and hearing directly from Italians with a personal connection to this war monument.
I enjoyed my experience with Temple Rome so much that I wanted to study abroad again! While in Italy, I applied to go to Temple Tokyo for my 2L spring term. I wanted to have a similar experience to the one I had at the Temple Rome campus. Tokyo was a great decision. The classes I took in Tokyo were directly related to what I want to pursue, and I was also able to improve my GPA with the dedicated support of my professors and the Temple Tokyo team. Professor Saunders, Dean Wilson, Masako, and Max all do everything they can to make sure that every student gets exactly what they want out of their Tokyo experience both on and off campus. Students learn how to act professionally in a global setting and to be mindful of other cultures and customs. We also had plenty of networking events where we were able to meet working attorneys in Japan. I received invaluable feedback on my resume, and I interned for Universal Studios Japan with Professor Shibata.
I have been so fortunate to be able to participate in these programs. Participating in Temple Law’s study abroad has been good for me both academically and professionally, and what I got out of these experiences goes beyond that. I am so happy to say that I now have friends from all over the world because Temple accepts students from many different schools into these programs. Temple encourages their students to participate in cultural activities and to get an education outside the classroom. My eyes have been opened by all the things I have been able to take in while abroad— foods, art forms, music, architectural styles, and more. I have come back to the United States with new ideas about what we could adopt and how we can make things better, and I don’t think you can get that perspective without going out of the country and your comfort zone!
