The decision to choose Essex was an easy one

The beginning of an adventure 

In September 2021 I left Vancouver for the UK to pursue my law degree at the University of Essex. The decision to choose Essex was an easy one given its international reputation in the human rights field which is the area of law I am currently pursuing. Having never been to the UK I had no idea what to expect. Living here has truly been one of the most remarkable experiences of my life. My previous experience at university did not compare to my time at Essex as I was given so many opportunities to get involved in numerous student clubs as well as develop my legal knowledge by volunteering and gaining hands-on experience. 
 

My program

I completed the two-year LLB (senior status) at the University of Essex and I enjoyed (almost) every moment of it! The lecturers were brilliant and all of my TA’s were always willing to help whenever I needed it. The semesters here are much different than what I was used to. Class would start in early October and then finish after 11 weeks of lectures. Classes would then resume in late January and conclude in March. After that, exams would begin and end in May. While the semesters were short, the workload was challenging but manageable as long as you stay on top of your course work each week. 
 

Essex Law Clinic 

When people ask me the best thing about my program my answer is always the same- volunteering at Essex Law Clinic. The Clinic is located on the university campus and works to provide legal advice to those who are unable to afford it. I first applied during the fall of my first year and I went through an interview process before I was accepted as a Bronze member. At this stage you are allowed to choose one of several projects which include Family law, Business start-ups, LGBTQ rights, and many others. During my first year I chose to get involved in the Domestic and Sexual Abuse project where I and my fellow group members put together a presentation on occupation orders for a local NGO which provides support to survivors of domestic violence. This experience was so informative, and I gained so much knowledge working under supervisors who are experts in this area of law. At the end of my first year I applied and interviewed for numerous student office-holder positions and was appointed Communications Officer. This involved networking with other students and compiling articles for the Clinic’s monthly journal. After receiving submissions from students, I would edit their pieces and then format the journal before sending it for approval by my supervisor. This role vastly increased my knowledge of different legal issues in the UK and was an excellent opportunity to meet and talk to other law students in the university. After completing my first year as a Bronze member, I applied for Silver membership and was officially trained before the start of this past school year. As a Silver member I was able to take on cases under the guidance of Clinic supervisors and I conducted numerous interviews, wrote case notes, and formatted letters of advice. I felt so privileged to get the opportunity to work with clients, hear their issues and then research the answers to their legal questions all under the guidance of amazing supervisors. In addition to case work, I also took part in numerous projects including the Family project, the Housing & Homelessness project and the Ukraine Twinning programme. By far my favourite was the H & H project as I got to volunteer in a local homeless shelter a few times each semester and sit in on client interviews where my supervisor would provide housing advice to vulnerable individuals. The work was so rewarding, and it was a great opportunity to learn about housing law in the UK. Eventually I applied and received Gold membership during the Spring of my final year. Although I have left the clinic I still keep in touch with fellow members as well as my supervisors- we truly became one big family! 
 

Colchester

Colchester is the second biggest town in Essex and is brimming with charming little shops all through the city centre. Walking into town centre is about a half an hour walk from the university but there are also numerous buses you can take to get there. Instead of having an indoor mall all of their shops are outside and scattered throughout the main walk through the town. Among them are Primark, H & M, sports direct and many others. Many weekends I would come into town and shop around as the prices for clothing are much cheaper than in Canada. At night the town comes alive as people flock to the local pubs and nightclubs. The options for food were astounding when I first arrived. They have every type of restaurant you can think of- I recommend trying a proper British Kebab! On some nights I would travel with friends into London to go to restaurants and clubs there. The train system here is very easy to navigate once you get out of London and you can get to Liverpool Street in under an hour from Colchester. 
 

My flat 

I found my accommodation through SU Homes which is run by the student union of the university. Through them I was able to find a very comfortable one-bedroom apartment that even had a river view! My accommodation was right on the edge of campus which was very convenient as I was able to get to class within 20 minutes of leaving my flat. As an avid runner I was very happy that I was located just metres away from the beginning of the Wivenhoe trail. For those of you choosing Essex, visiting Wivenhoe is an absolute must as it has many cute pubs along the river as well as stunning views of local sailboats. 
 

Castle Park 

Right in the middle of Colchester there is a large castle that was originally built by the Romans over 2000 years ago. Now the castle is used as a museum, and it is definitely worth a visit to hear all about the history of Colchester (which is considered Britain’s first town). One of my favourite things to do on a nice day was sit in the park and watch the swans on the small lake there. The park has a lot of wildlife- squirrels and birds are regularly fed by the locals and are extremely friendly.  There is a small café in the park which sells the best frozen yogurt I have ever had (they call it Mr. Whippy). One of the highlights of my time in Essex was coming into town and having picnics in the park with my classmates!