Point: Go on Exchange – The World’s Most One-Sided Debate
Eryn Fanjoy (3L) and Jacquie Richards (4L)
We’re sceptical that this issue is worthy of a point-counterpoint because the reading room smells terrible and because it’s late September and Jacquie’s classes haven’t even started yet, but UV has assured us that Ramin is actually really happy as a 4L. So, really, what makes exchange the only reasonable option best choice ever?
First up: This is what a “Case of the Mondays” looks like on exchange:
We probably don’t need to go on but we will continue anyway…
Exchange is a pass fail venture, and nobody fails: One less semester to jam-pack that transcript with straight Ps for your mother’s fridge? A “Kristin Stewart’s monotone voice” flat grade curve with a Tim Hortons Hockey Camp fail rate? Why are your bags not packed yet?
“Exchange Image”: Casually mention that you’ve sort of “lost track of Netflix” because “you’re studying abroad” in some fabulous exotic locale and people get all “how romantic!”, “what a regular academic!” and “you’re the most cultured person I know!” Friends and family get freshly excited about your life decisions and stop asking why you’re “still” in law school, and your Instagram account suddenly looks like a blurry, poorly lit National Geographic spread.
Who wouldn’t want that kind of cache, especially when, in reality, you’re chugging $1 beers in some sketchy (but gloriously foreign) alleyway or eating free pizza in the “Freshers Lounge” just like at home?
Exchange is not just for the 1%. You do not need to count your change in order to go on exchange. First of all, the Centre for International Experience provides a grant for those going on exchange (bless them). Plus, rent in residence or in apartments abroad is typically at par with or much less expensive than rent at home. Food is cheaper than Canada pretty much everywhere, and tuition will inevitably be the same *bargain* price we’re paying already, except your school will have a building, and the building will be a castle, and it will be Hogwarts awesome. Really, though— the only significant added costs of exchange following your reimbursements will stem from travel….
…Travel! Basically everywhere outside of North America provides you with access to cheap, amazing travel. Unplanned weekend in Kreuzelberg? South-East Asia Backpacking adventure after class? Carefully rehearsed explanations in 3 different languages for why you’re “not American”? All of this can be yours on exchange. And if you want to have something interesting to talk about while schmoozing with the legal world’s bigwigs, now’s the time to scrounge for some content. “It’s positively appalling that the Crypta Babli is not more highly attended than the Coliseum,” you will say, as they ooh and ahh. Thank you, exchange.
New Friends! Let’s be honest, frequenting the Fox and the Fiddle with your favourite Bora Laskin study buddies has grown tired over the past two (or three) years, and clubbing with Spanish and Australian law students [probably] counts as professional development. New people from new places means new perspectives, new ideas and 94% fewer conversations about Bay Street jobs/clinic work/that time the tuition was really, really high. Varied humanity is a splendid, splendid thing.
New Laws! While haters “anti-exchange people” (gotta keep it pc ‘round here) often argue about the quality of education at partnering institutions relative to that at home and about how they’re learning more “work relevant” material in their 3L courses on Admiralty law, let’s get real. Law school could probably be two years, you are not a pirate, and 3Ls are more often “rounding things up” and “forgetting how to wear pants” than developing any particular new legal skill set. Might as well button up dem jeans, re-engage and learn about a new legal system.
New Current Events! Toronto is a cool place to live in and read about in part because it’s pretty safe, stable and relaxed and in part because Rob Doug Ford is running for Mayor again or something, but the wild ol’ world outside is chock full of actual craziness right now, and on exchange you can be a part of huge, world changing events like Scotland becoming independent and, depending on your location, reasonably possible annexation to Russia. What’s more, what’s boring or regular to the locals in a place can be really, really interesting for an exchange student who can’t understand the language menus are written in.
YOLO. You may have heard of it – Drake endorses it. We’re all about to chain ourselves to 10-months of self-induced articling hell all in the hopes of having the opportunity to slave away for the rest of our lives. Now is the time to live a little. And, no, “living” is not pulling an all-nighter to read Driedger’s, “The Construction of Statutes.” Rather, “living” is climbing grassy mountains, swimming in turquoise natural pools and spending magical evenings taking sake bombs in a dive bar in Berlin while your peers are in Securities Regulation. As Drake puts it in his game changing classic, “Hate Sleeping Alone”, “[You have] choices [you] should make/ I think [you should choose exchange] right now”.
Also, accents. Accents everywhere!
Counterpoint – Stay in Toronto, you’ll thank me later.
Ramin Wright
It’s an odd day when you’re asked to explain why something so obvious is true. For those of you who haven’t already forgotten the lovely Jacquie and Eryn, let’s go over their big mistake.
The process: Going on exchange ain’t a matter of just buying a plane ticket and showing up. There are forms, essays, interviews, and due dates. Note to our lovely 2Ls: this process starts right bang in the middle of OCIs and continues through your winter break. Save yourself the headache – the odds of getting the school you dream about are slim anyways.
Meeting locals… not: Wouldn’t it be amazing to go abroad to a place where you don’t know anyone, and integrate with locals in a way that admin law would aptly describe as holistic? Guess what? Once you get there, your “crew” will consist almost entirely of others in your exact situation. You’ll be travelling around the city with other exchange students that the locals will find more impenetrable and cliquey than the SLS.
Your classmates: “No!” you say, “I’ll make friends with the local classmates and integrate sooooo well!” Guess what – your local classmates are still in their undergrad – ‘nuff said. Enjoy.
$$$: Grants, free room & board, and cheap drinks. Don’t be fooled by the frankly irresponsible assertion that going on exchange is cheap. I don’t want to sound like your mother, but those weekend RyanAir trips to Prague are going to add up fast. And if you -don’t- go on these trips, you’ll be stuck in residence wishing that your fiscally-responsible self would just yell out YOLO and string out more debt.
Let’s not spend this whole time exposing the truths on exchange like Al Gore on climate change – there are equally many reasons why staying in Toronto during your 3L (or 4L like me ) year is the ultimate staycation.
Expand your bubble: For many of us, Toronto is a narrow rectangle bounded by Bloor, King, Bathurst, and Church. Did you know that there is actually some Real Cool Shit™ outside of that? I didn’t. I have already skipped countless lectures learning that there are grassy fields in the land of “Ossington”, and that the city rises up again in the North at Eglinton. Ever been to High Park? Me neither, and it ain’t called that for nothing. Check it out. Or – whoa – check yourself out while in it. 😐
Slog it solo: Rather than a 3-month commitment, take your vacations as you please. The rumors are true – it is absolutely ok to take a week or two off at a time and skip town. Go to New York, Niagara, LA, PEI, Vancouver, VEGAS. There is seriously a lot to see on this continent, and Porter has you covered for $100 round trips to anywhere a short haul away. Hell, if you’re looking for something farther away, visit your friends who did countand get the best of their experiences in just a few days. Rumour has it Eryn Fanjoy herself is welcoming a few of her wiser non-exchange peers in Hong Kong this fall, implicitly conceding this point.
Meet people: “It’s not what you know, but who you know.” It turns out that this depressing business adage is true. While it might be nice to know other students in Europe, we’re really talking about building a network in the city in which you work. Sure, we all now know 200 lawyers, but what we really need is diversity. Go to events in and out of your field, meet the players outside of the legal profession, find a mentor or two and actually meet with them regularly, get. your. face. out. there. werk. bitch. This is the year that matters to do these things, and you need to be in Toronto to do it.
Take some time for yourself: Last, but not least, your final year at school is very likely to be just that. After this, you will be a “real person” with “real responsibilities.” This may be your last chance to embrace your inner sloth like you never knew you could – skip pub night because you never got out of your pyjamas that day, eat a butter sandwich because online grocery shopping hasn’t yet reached Canada, and – here’s a novel thought – enjoy your classes without the stress of reaching for an HH or nailing that participation mark. This year belongs to you, and I hope you take some time to yourself to enjoy it. Live your life.
My name is Ramin and you can find me coming in to class late, because fuck it, 4L.
