Testimonials

I am Freda Amoako. I come from Ghana in West Africa. When I decided to pursue an LL.M. programme, I looked for a programme that was both challenging and practical to the core. Maritime and Transport Law was an easy choice because I was aware how the maritime and transport industry affects various facets of the world’s economies. For me, choosing to study Maritime and Transport Law was a sure way of staying relevant in my practice as a lawyer.

The programme began with Research and Writing Skills and I was overwhelmed with the ton of work and group assignments. However, it turned out to be fun, especially through the group assignments as I made new friends. I particularly enjoyed the moot court competition. I thought it was a great way of practicing what had been taught in class. The programme is taught in a practical way. This is particularly evident in the several assignments and workshops that are included in the programme. It is a lot of hard work! If you are looking for a programme that is merely theoretical then pursuing an LL.M. in Maritime and Transport Law at Erasmus School of Law is probably not the way to go. However, if your goal is to gain practical and theoretical knowledge in your LL.M programme., then this is the master for you!

For someone who was coming from very far away, I was anxious about how easy or difficult it would be to adjust to my new environment. Adjusting to the new environment turned out to be easier than anticipated. The relationship between students and lecturers didn’t end in the classroom. I could send emails to my lecturers and get a response. To me that was impressive! The city of Rotterdam is vibrant and yet serene. It has interesting places to visit. It was always great for my friends and me whenever we took walks to relieve the stress after exams.

The COVID-19 pandemic came with challenges and I had my fears concerning the possibility of not being able to graduate due to measures put in place by the Dutch government. It turned out there was nothing to fear because the programme continued as scheduled, only now online.My regret is not having enough time to study the Dutch language. I think it would be awesome if some basic Dutch was included in the programme.

Nevertheless, I am glad I made the decision to study at Erasmus School of Law. In the end, I am positive I will leave the university with so many attributes I didn’t think was possible with university education.

My name is Themis Karvounidis, I am 27 and I come from Greece. After completing my bachelor studies (plus an exchange semester at the University of Vienna) and a master programme on public international law in Greece, I decided to continue my master studies on maritime law in a purely international environment. Rotterdam fulfilled these criteria from the beginning.

The main reason why I chose the master programme of Maritime and Transport Law at  Erasmus School of Law was that, being specialised in the law of the sea during my previous studies, I wanted to further study on maritime issues from a commercial perspective. This programme combined both international and maritime law aspects and studying in Rotterdam felt like studying the right subject at the right place. Furthermore, the city provides a multicultural atmosphere with many social activities and its geographical location helps travelling around the country and experiencing other cultures.

I could describe the programme itself as an intense one. It is divided into blocks of approximately one month and a half, and each block consist of one or two courses, after which exams take place. At the beginning, I prepared myself that this would be very difficult and demanding, since the courses would be taught within a short timeframe and exams would take place often. Despite this being true, I soon realised I could remain focussed a lot more than a structure with multiple semesters as I was used to back in my country. With this structure, I could concentrate on a specific subject each time and get better prepared for more complex issues during the next blocks.

Also, I realised that the programme had a somehow reverse order of difficulty. Even though each block and course has their challenges, the first block (Research and Writing Skills) is the most demanding, with several deadlines from week to week for written and oral assignments. I could predict that any prospective student could feel stressed or discouraged for what comes next, but I can say that the more the programme progresses the more confidence one gets managing deadlines and studying at the same time. In general, the deadlines do not coincide with each other, so I never felt overwhelmed by pressure.

The programme also includes moot courts, visits to international institutions and guest lectures from professionals that give an insight of the industry and help international students to get familiar with stakeholders. The professors are active both academically and professionally, so they express the demands of the market at its current state. From a teaching perspective, they are willing to provide all the necessary material and guidance. Finally, as an international student in Rotterdam during the coronavirus outbreak, I should admit that the institution and our professors and coordinators did their best not letting us feel neglected and continuing the programme as close to normal as possible.

My enrollment in the LL.M. programme − Maritime and Transport Law at Erasmus School of Law (ESL) – feels like participation in an exchange programme in my own homeland: namely, meeting international students, and increasing my academic knowledge by taking part in workshops and company visits. This LL.M. provides the opportunity to expand my professional network across borders, to make friends all over the world, and to learn from each other.

After finishing my Bachelor’s degree, it was quite a challenge to choose ‘the right’ LL.M. out of hundreds of programmes Finally, I decided to go for an LL.M. in Maritime and Transport Law (MTL) at ESL.

My decision was based on a number of factors. Firstly, in addition to my general interest in Commercial Law, I was very attracted to this programme because it provides students with more than just the old-fashioned ‘Lectures and Seminars’ style of learning. You can expect the following: company visits (law firms, Rotterdam Port Authority), a Marine Insurance Masterclass, workshops organised by the study association TTLA, and even Moot courts, to further improve your debating skills. Secondly, this programme does not limit me to staying and working in the Netherlands for the rest of my life. Because the programme is conducted completely in English and makes comparisons between civil and common law approaches, you can work in almost every country. Moreover, my expanded network, which includes study friends around the world, will definitely help me to easily launch my professional career elsewhere. Finally, I cannot imagine a better place to study Maritime and Transport Law than Rotterdam: the city with one of the world’s most important seaports. This thriving city in the heart of Europe is ideal for a really good cup of coffee, a tasty lunch, and a special beer as well!

‘Goedemorgen allemaal’ (Dutch for: Good morning, everybody!). I am Ottavia, a 26-year-old student from Italy, who is currently enrolled in one of the unique LL.M. programmes offered at Erasmus School of Law in Rotterdam.

After graduating in law in my country of origin, I started working as a trainee lawyer. I coincidentally ended up in in Genoa, in one of Italy’s most internationally orientated Maritime law firms. My work experience there motivated me to pursue a master’s degree in Maritime Law in the city where Europe’s most important port is located: Rotterdam!

If I could name one place to obtain a master in Maritime Law, it would be Erasmus School of Law. You will not only study the theories on which Maritime and Transport law are based, but you will also gain a practical insight into how they apply. Moreover, because of the organisation of monthly visits to different companies, you get the chance to visit the harbour’s business leaders. During my year at Erasmus University, I developed a special interest in Transport Law, and I see myself working as a claim handler in the near future.

As well as studying and visiting several companies, I am active as a volunteer for the Yearbook Committee. Together with LL.M. students from the Company and Commercial Law and International and European Union Law programmes, I am responsible for publishing the Yearbook 2016-2017. It has been a great opportunity to work on this project with other students. I have the chance to conduct interviews with prominent professors, to develop my creative writing, and to improve essential skills such as time-management and teamwork.

I have one final tip for international students: I learned that you cannot survive in a Dutch city without a bike… So actually I would change the Beatles lyrical line ‘All you need is love’ to  ‘…a bike is all you need’.

I am 21 years old, and was born in Poland, but I spent the first 12 years of my life in the German city of Cologne, before my family moved to Zurich, Switzerland. After graduating from high school in Germany in 2013, I moved to London to obtain my Bachelor’s degree in Law at Kings College London.

I have chosen to join the Maritime & Transport Law programme because shipping and transport law has intrigued me ever since the beginning of my law studies. My decision to study at Erasmus University was mainly because of its location in Rotterdam, home to the largest port in Europe. There are constant opportunities to take part in visits to various companies, such as Maersk Liners, the Port Authority in Rotterdam, the Dutch P&I club, and Damen Shipbuilding, as well as plenty more companies that are active in the shipping industry. Outside of my studies, I enjoy snowboarding and playing various team sports such as American Football, Rugby, and Soccer. After completing this L.L.M. programme, I intend to take part in the Legal Practice Course (LPC) in London, with a view to working in the future as a solicitor at a legal practice that specialises in Transport & Maritime Law.

In my experience, studying at ESL has been demanding, but at the same time very interesting. Life in Rotterdam is comparable to life in Zurich, since both cities are relatively quiet, as well as being clean and efficient. My advice to any incoming students is to participate in the various company visits, as they provide tremendous insights into the operations of the many different parties involved in the shipping industry. 

I am Mauricio García, a 29-year-old lawyer from Bogotá, Colombia. I have a Bachelor’s degree and a specialisation degree from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. During my specialisation in Commercial Law I discovered my passion for Transportation, mainly aviation and maritime. I subsequently decided to forge my path in this exciting world. After some years gaining experience as a lawyer in transportation matters, in 2014 I decided to join my brother in an ambitious project − called Garciarboleda Abogados − to develop our specialised law firm in Transportation Law. Being committed to the challenging and gratifying experience of leading a law firm encouraged me to keep improving my skills and knowledge as a transportation lawyer, especially in the maritime field. I realised there was no better place in the world to achieve that goal than Rotterdam − the heart of the maritime world in Europe.

The decision to take the LL.M. in Maritime and Transport Law at Erasmus University has been without doubt the best choice regarding my professional goals. Indeed, this Master Programme perfectly combines the theoretical and the practical side of maritime law, because in addition to having the most recognised legal authorities in this field as professors, there are various company visits, which offer insights into the exciting maritime world. This perfect balance between theory and practice has provided me with tools to provide legal services in the maritime field, and with the highest standards of professionalism and quality.

In addition, the experience of living in Rotterdam is just perfect.The city is full of energy, friendly and multicultural people, and multiple transportation choices suitable to every budget. Rotterdam is also well organised, with beautiful places to meet up with friends. It makes your life as a student easier in every way.

For prospective students who are considering obtaining an LL.M. at Erasmus School of Law, I would advise you not to think twice about it. There is no better place in the world to learn about Maritime Law, and at the same time have the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable life experience that includes making friends from different countries, learning about the fascinating Dutch culture, travelling through this beautiful country, and being located in a hub that is perfectly located to reach many other marvelous places in Europe.

Finally, I would like to share a quote that I live by: ‘Happiness is a choice of life; enjoy what you do daily, and do it from your heart’.