Testimonials

I am Jennifer, a 29-year-old attorney from the Midwest United States. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Diplomatic History, as well as a Juris Doctor in Natural Resources Law. I began my career in Energy as a Judicial Clerk with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, which regulates public utilities across the state. I then spent four years working in land negotiations, project management, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance with several Oil & Gas Exploration and Production companies.

I have long had a desire to work in International Energy Policy, and therefore I chose to pursue an LL.M in European and International Public Law at Erasmus University in order to transition my career. I am excited to further this goal by working with the Gemeente Rotterdam and the C40 Climate Adaptation Academy, beginning in February 2018.

Erasmus University has been a PERFECT fit. The cost is incredibly reasonable for the quality of education. The pace is challenging, the subject matter interesting, and the professors are clearly experts in their field, each having a wealth of knowledge to contribute in the classroom. The programme also allows me enough flexibility to conduct research within my own field of interest. I am pleased with my choice both academically and personally, as Rotterdam is an incredibly vibrant city filled with nightlife, quirky architecture, a welcoming international community, sprawling bike paths, local markets, delicious food, and a plethora of job opportunities.

I consider myself an outdoorsperson, with a penchant for adventure. Travelling, hiking, and footraces fill my spare time. And I have the same motto, whether it refers to climbing mountains in Montana and Malawi, to trail running in Tulsa, to ice climbing in Norway, or to academic and professional pursuits: ‘Limits are for those who need them’.

How democratic is ‘Brussels’? What can the international community do when multinational corporations are infringing environmental and human rights? (Why) do we need the European Union? What rights do refugees have? Do you want to develop a founded answer and opinion on this wide-range of questions? Then choosing the LL.M. in International and European Union law might be the right choice for you!

During the first two blocks, you will get an insight in these – and a bunch of other – international and European Union law-related topics. Thereafter, it is time to specialise. Me myself, have chosen to specialise in European Union law and I am more than happy with my choice! Not only have I developed a strong knowledge on the technicalities and foundations of European Union law – such as the fundamental freedoms, the right of standing before the Court of Justice, and competition law – but now I also understand the (highly important) role of European Union law in national legal systems. The European Union law track is particularly academic, but with several guest lectures from practitioners – e.g. attorneys and judges – the academic and the practical world come together. After following this track, I am more than convinced to being able to put my gained knowledge into practice as a future lawyer!

What also appealed to me, was that the LL.M. in International and European Union law is relatively small in terms of students, which really adds value both academically and socially. There is always room for discussion and debate between students and lecturers and, last but not least, it contributes to a strong bond between you and your fellow students. For example, in my year, we had a Christmas dinner together, regularly went for after-class drinks and we will have a summer farewell activity!

Studying International Law at Erasmus University Rotterdam goes beyond either the Erasmus University or Rotterdam. As a city beside The Hague, “the legal capital of the world”, one gets the best of both worlds — the university’s academic prowess, and the opportunities that lie within and beyond the city, including lectures and events at the Asser Institute and The Hague Academy of International Law. I regularly made use of these opportunities and had an opportunity to speak to Prof. Martti Koskenniemi. By choosing to study International and European Union Law at Erasmus, it opened more doors than I could imagine.

The curriculum of the International and European Union Law LL.M. Programme is bleeding-edge and you are exposed to all ongoing issues of International Law, including those topics and issues currently being debated or under negotiations. Combined with a foundation of European Law and the option to pursue a European Law track, it makes for a great academic-professional balance in this LL.M. programme. Some opt to combine both International Law and European Union Law elective courses.

What also appealed to me was that we frequently had guest lectures from professors of other universities, including those from other disciplines as well. In short, we had as much a diverse set of lectures as we had a diverse set of students, who could expose us to different concepts, crucial to a critical understanding of the law.

Lastly, the academic environment, comprising of both the teachers and the students, is conducive for intellectual stimulation as I feel constantly motivated to do better.

I am from China, and I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Law there. While participating in the Jessup Moot Court Competition during my bachelor programme, I first discovered my passion for Public International Law. As a result, I made the decision to apply for the LL.M. programme in International and European Union Law in order to broaden my knowledge in that field.

This LL.M. programme is unique in many respects. What I benefitted most from was the combination of International and European law. This enabled me to compare the two disciplines of law, and to think beyond the scope of international law in a wider sense. What I learned in the EU Law classes provided me with a different perspective, and inspired critical thinking whenever I considered specific aspects of international law and the research I was carrying out. Even when I was having doubts regarding the processes I was learning about, I gained many new insights into international law.

The lecturers are extremely knowledgeable and passionate about their (…) fields, and they always try to inspire and encourage us in learning ‘how to think’ rather than ‘what to think’, and in moving away from rote learning.

The course also gave us the opportunity to develop numerous friendships with people from all over the world. Our group was small, but very diverse, which allowed us to experience new cultures and perspectives. We now have connections spread around the world − a great incentive for travelling to new places and for job hunting across borders.

In addition to being a law student, I am a keen amateur photographer who is obsessed with travelling. I like travelling alone to different places, without a particular purpose or a specific plan. What I love most is just picking somewhere I have never been before, and exploring that unknown land with my camera.

To be honest, I am not sure where I will be next year, or even in the next 5 years (although I do have plans). But one thing I am certain about is that I will do something related to the field of International Environmental Law. This is the area I feel most passionate about, and it also the subject of my master thesis. A motto that I live by is this: ‘Life is full of uncertainties; just enjoy it!’

My name is Anselm T. Grahl, and I am a 24-year-old German citizen from Latvia. I completed a Bachelor of Laws in European Law at Maastricht University, while also starting to work in the field of sustainability in the higher education sector.

After completing my LL.B., I wanted to continue on an international and particularly European law track. The LL.M. of International and European Union Law at ESL offered me a great opportunity to further pursue these multi-layered legal systems. For many of my study colleagues, this Masters offers a great opportunity to specialise in their starting or ongoing career as lawyers. I am, however, hoping that this programme will help take me into European or international governance within the next few years, thereby allowing me to connect my studies of Law with my work in the field of sustainability. The LL.M. programme has already made it possible for me to explore this connection. It not only deals with law in dry black-letter texts, but enables students and lecturers to consider critically the rationales and effects of international and European law and governance systems. And it does this while taking into account issues that include economic efficiency, development, environmental impact, and human rights. The amazing group of international students and lecturers from diverse backgrounds adds many layers and perspectives to these discussions. Remember this: ‘if you are the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room’.

As a city, Rotterdam adds to this international spirit. Incredibly vibrant, cosmopolitan, and modern, it is one of the up-and-coming places to be in Europe. If you choose to come to Rotterdam, you will find all the culture, nightlife, and diversity you could hope for. Being largely newly built over the past several decades, the city also offers some of the best contemporary architecture in the world, along with many green spaces. It is – quite literally − a city designed for this and future decades.

I am 24 years old and although a Russian according to my passport, I am a global citizen by character. With this testimonial, I would like to share my unforgettable experience as an LL.M. student.

I first discovered the challenging world of international law during my Bachelor`s programme in Moscow. Subsequently, I was given a unique opportunity to apply this knowledge to practice during an internship at the United Nations Office in Vienna, where I was part of the legal team that keeps a record of material damage in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Needless to say, this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, during which I gained practical work experience, made friends from all over the world, and, most importantly, discovered my true passion for international law. How do you hold a state accountable for breach of international norms? What do multinational corporations have to do with international human rights law? I wanted to explore all these things, and much more, in depth, and that is why I decided to pursue an LL.M. degree. And what  better place to study international law than in the home country of its founder Hugo Grotius?

Receiving the letter of acceptance from Erasmus University was one the most exciting days of my life. Without any doubt, this master raised my perception and knowledge of law to a whole new level. Every lecture or written assignment was an opportunity to be creative and to think outside the box. I remember how anxious I was at the beginning: meeting fellow students for the first time, listening to the first lecture entirely in English, and submitting the first written assignment. But the common denominator for all these things were the exceptional professors who taught us during the year: they were always there to encourage, to answer any question, and to point us in the right research direction. The teaching approach is different from the one in Russian universities; in The Netherlands, you are given much more independence and freedom of choice, but this also means taking full responsibility for your actions and for any missed deadlines. Our faculty has done an amazing job at keeping our course interactive and enjoyable: this included study visits to such prominent places as the Peace Palace and the International Criminal Court; arranged guest lectures with legal practitioners; and of course I cannot forget the fun part, which we certainly enjoyed at the Christmas dinner party.

Of course, one should not forget the vibrant and welcoming Rotterdam atmosphere, which cannot be compared to anything else. Moscow is diverse and energizing, Vienna is dignified and artistic, but Rotterdam is all these things and much more. The best plan for a weekend is to get on your bike and explore the hidden Rotterdam gems. But living here is not just about discovering the city and getting your degree; it is also about getting to know the locals. Dutch people are very open and easy-going, and they made me feel very welcome; I found some of my closest friends here. We have had so much fun together that I have not even had time to feel homesick.

Following graduation, I feel that there is an ocean of possibilities out there, and I cannot wait to explore it. I would love to continue the Dutch journey, and to fulfill myself professionally here as well. Erasmus taught me to be courageous and ambitious, and not afraid to stand out in a crowd. This master year gave me so many opportunities and life lessons, and I wish all the newcomers the same possibility. I strongly encourage all future LL.M. participants to go for every opportunity that comes your way, and to make the most of what Erasmus has to offer; you will not regret it.

I would like to leave you with this thought: Dare to be free, dare to go as far as your thought leads, and dare to carry that out in your life.