48 U of T Law students are studying abroad this year
This year, 48 U of T Law students are on exchange at 13 partner institutions located in 11 different countries. The Faculty’s International Exchange Program enables eligible JD students to study abroad for one semester at some of the world’s leading law schools. This year marks the second year of the program’s return after being put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, the Faculty sent 38 exchange students to 15 different law schools across 11 countries.
The program allows upper-year JD students in good academic standing to go on exchange. During their exchange period, students may satisfy their International, Comparative, and Transnational (ICT) course requirement. However, students must complete all other required courses at the Faculty. Students hoping to participate in the exchange program in their second term of 3L must have successfully completed all of the JD requirements beforehand.
The Faculty currently has established exchange agreements with 16 law schools across 15 countries. Queen Mary University (London, UK) has the greatest number of U of T Law students, followed by Copenhagen University (Copenhagen, Denmark). However, the number of students at each institution does not necessarily indicate which destinations are the most desirable. Most schools offer limited spots, and placements are determined using a lottery system based on students’ ranked preferences of host institutions.
Student Programs Director Sara-Marni Hubbard noted a wider range of interests among students this year as compared to pre-pandemic years. Prior to 2020, the majority of students chose the same four cities: Amsterdam, Hong Kong, London, and Dublin. However, this year’s cohort has diversified their choices, with students pursuing their exchanges at Lund University (Lund, Sweden), the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Jerusalem, Israel), and Auckland University (Auckland, New Zealand).
This year, U of T Law students are on exchange at the following 13 institutions:
- Center for Transnational Legal Studies (London, UK)
- Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Jerusalem, Israel)
- Lund University (Lund, Sweden)
- Lyon 3 – University Jean Moulin (Lyon, France)
- National University of Singapore (Singapore)
- Queen Mary University London (London, UK)
- Tel Aviv University (Tel Aviv, Israel)
- Trinity College Dublin (Dublin, Ireland)
- University of Amsterdam (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
- University of Auckland (Auckland, New Zealand)
- University of Copenhagen (Copenhagen, Denmark)
- University of Geneva (Geneva, Switzerland)
- University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong SAR)
- University of New South Wales (Sydney, Australia)
Ultra Vires has reached out to two students on exchange this semester for comments on their experience abroad so far.
Janice Fung (3L) | Studying at Queen Mary University of London
UV: Why did you choose Queen Mary University?
Janice Fung (JF): I knew I wanted to explore more of Europe, and London felt like a great central travel hub! I also thought I would feel more comfortable being based in an English-speaking country.
UV: What surprised you the most about London?
JF: It takes 30-40 minutes to get anywhere no matter where you are. London is a much bigger city than Toronto and will take some getting used to.
UV: What experience do you look forward to in London?
JF: London is such an international city, so I’m really looking forward to making new friends from around the world. Other than that, of course, travelling during the weekends!
Alyssa Wong (3L) | Studying at the University of Hong Kong
UV: Why did you choose the University of Hong Kong?
Alyssa Wong (AW): I came to Hong Kong with my family once when I was young and have always wanted to come back since then. I also wanted to improve my Cantonese, although it’s fairly easy to get by without speaking any!
UV: What do you like most about Hong Kong?
AW: The food is amazing. There is no shortage of restaurants serving anything you can think of and plenty of places serve quick, cheap meals that cost CAD$6–7.
UV: What advice would you give to someone considering studying at the University of Hong Kong?
AW: Be prepared to walk! While it’s really easy to get around the city using public transit, it is also very hilly, and there are stairs and slopes everywhere.
UV: What did you pack that turned out to be useful in Hong Kong?
AW: An umbrella and good shoes! For the first two weeks I was here, it was rainy and incredibly humid because of typhoons that forced us to stay indoors on the weekends. As a result, I was trying to get out as much as I could during the week and it would have been a much worse experience if I wasn’t prepared.
