International student insights: From bustling India to Law School life
Sanya Dalal moved from India to study her Master of Business Law at Sydney Law School. We decided to find out what Sanya’s motivations were for studying abroad, why she chose Sydney Law School, what life as an international student was like for her, and advice she had for those looking to pursue postgraduate studies outside of their home country.
I chose to study my Master of Business Law at Sydney Law School because of the flexibility to choose from a huge range of elective subjects.
What was the highlight of your studies here?
Sydney Law School almuna, Sanya Dalal
The interactive sessions and workshops were extremely interesting and thought provoking. Classes were filled with talented and experienced people, which motivated me to work harder and learn as much as I could from other students.
The class discussions and workshops exposed me to different ways of thinking in different countries, different ideas, and different usage of words. It definitely provided me with a discipline for learning and it helped me broaden my perspective on how to look at different problems differently.
I am always going to cherish time spent at the campus, Law library and most importantly conversations with people from different backgrounds and cultures.
The interpretation and analytical skills that I picked up will stay with me wherever I go!
The course prepared me for the real world, where calibre for intense and relevant research with crisp presentation is at the core of success.
Describe your experience studying at Sydney Law School as an international student
The long periods of concentration required for intensive lectures followed by mandatory participation in class discussions, kept me on my toes at all times.
Initially, participating in class discussions was a little intimidating but once I got accustomed to it, there was no looking back!
It built my confidence and prepared me for working in a fast-paced team environment, where quick learning and adjusting is key.
The discipline, self-motivation and crazy work ethic that was required to get through the MBL has prepared me for the rigor any task would demand.
Intensive lectures were scheduled only twice a week and mostly over the weekends, which allowed me to work part-time. I worked part-time as a Sales & Marketing consultant and I also grabbed the opportunity to work as a part-time swimming instructor!
Working part-time allowed me to meet and network with different people, develop new skills and most importantly hone my time management skills!
What advice would you give to those looking to pursue postgraduate studies in law?
I personally believe that gaining some work experience after graduation is a better option than jumping straight into doing an LLM or MBL.
Invest time into understanding your purpose behind studying abroad. Ask yourself “Why?” you want to study abroad. Getting a clear answer to the “WHY” is crucial!
Most of the potential students expect to land a job as a paralegal/lawyer in the jurisdiction he/she studied in. If that is a priority, then it is important for applicants to do their research on future job prospects, visa restrictions, work visa rules, possibility of a company/firm sponsoring your visa and many other factors. Connect with alumni (preferably from the same specialization) and gain their perspective on the job market and visa conditions.
Please feel free to reach out to me should you have any questions, I would be happy to help.
What advice would you give to those looking at study options outside of their home Country?
An MBL or LLM abroad is a huge investment, so it is crucial to know the purpose behind pursuing it so that you can make an informed decision.
Having said that, studying abroad certainly provides you with the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. It will make you take initiatives and be pro-active in so many ways that you would not have been able to do in your own country.
Lastly, do not be too hard on yourself. Just enjoy the process, keep working hard and sincerely and things will fall in place!
3 ways to make your student life easier
Expectation management and communication is extremely important, be it for individual research project, group project, class workshops.
It is important to make sure that from the outset of the project you and everyone involved has a clear picture of what you are trying to achieve and what is exactly expected from you.
Professors are extremely approachable and always happy to help. When in doubt, always discuss or ask. Even if something may seem obvious, it is better to ask than to risk misunderstandings.
Every person has a different way of working, others might not work the way you do or the way you want them to. Be flexible and patient.