By Afua Akoto
If you have the opportunity to go abroad during law school, do it. Immediately.
I am an avid proponent of studying abroad. In undergrad I went to England, South Africa and Botswana and truly enjoyed my experiences in each country. Coming to law school, I didn’t think that I would have the opportunity to study abroad. Needless to say, I have never been so glad to be wrong.
UConn has a number of programs you can choose from but factoring in potential language barriers and excluding places I’d already been; I chose Leiden University in the Netherlands. Leiden is a small Dutch town full of food markets, canals, and amazing people (all of whom speak English so there were never any language issues.)
The application process is not strenuous, it just takes time to work with UConn’s international and study abroad offices to make sure the right paperwork is filled out. Leiden will assist you with housing and guide you through the process of picking classes but a lot of the ownership is on you to book the necessary flights and set the proper schedule so that the credits and classes match up correctly. Law classes at Leiden are not taught using Socratic method like UConn law classes but you get the hang of it quickly enough.
Once all the boring technical stuff is taken care of, then comes the fun part. Leiden has a great international student program that organizes week-long orientations, day trips
throughout the Netherlands, and weekend trips throughout Europe (I chose the group trip to Prague). It’s a great way to make friends. I was able to meet people from Australia, Sweden, Italy, Cyprus, and the U.S.; all of whom I still keep in touch with today. Outside of the programs put on by the school, there are plenty of opportunities for travel. I studied abroad with another student from UConn Law and we went to Belgium, Germany, Italy, and England. With careful planning and a bit of an adventurous spirit, traveling is doable without breaking the bank.
Don’t get me wrong, not everything about studying abroad is great. There are periods of homesickness, cultural barriers can be daunting, and jetlag sucks. Yet, the good outweighs the bad; the key is to immerse yourself in the culture and allow yourself to have fun. Go to the markets and eat the seemingly disgusting raw fish (that’s where I drew the line honestly but the French fries with seasoned mayo are delicious and so are Stroopwafels), participate in local holidays (King’s Day is a fantastic day to be in the Netherlands), and attempt to speak the language (I learned Good Morning, Please, and Thank You). Trust me, the locals appreciate the effort and it makes the entire experience that much better. The more you take part in what goes on around you, the more amazing the study abroad experience becomes. In the end, you won’t even want to come home, and even if you do – you’ll spend a long time trying to figure out how to get back.
By Sean Meegan
One of the best aspects of attending UConn Law is the sports culture associated with the university. UConn is a perennial powerhouse in both mens and women's basketball. The mens team has won 4 national championships and the women have won 11. Attending games is both easy and fun. They play games in Hartford at the XL Center and in Storrs at Gampel Pavillion. Attending a game in both arenas is a must. The fan base is electric. One of the traditions of every game is all UConn fans will stand until UConn scores their first basket. UConn currently plays in the AAC and the conference tournament is often times in Hartford. This is a great way to see quality basketball for cheap (you are able to purchase student tickets!).
Going to a football tailgate and game is also a must. While the football team may not be the best (but we are getting better), the tailgate and atmosphere are great. People are always grilling and playing outdoor games before the game starts. Fans are able to show up to the game four hours before kick-off. I recommend going at this time to maximize your tailgating time. Getting a group of people, tailgating, and watching the football game is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon in the fall.
Along with the varsity teams on the main campus, UConn Law also offers many forms of recreational leagues and pick up games for students to participate in. There is a soccer field attached to the law school and students often play pick-up games on Friday afternoons when the weather is nice. Also, there is a winter indoor soccer league located in Glastonbury played out of the Oakwood Sports Center. All students are encouraged to participate and the school subsidizes the cost to play! There is also a hockey team, Capital Punishment, that plays at Trinity College over the winter. This team has had success over the years. There is a running club at UConn Law, Race Ipsa. This club goes on group runs and also enters 5ks and 10ks over the course of the year. There is also the Softball Club that plays in an annual, weekend long, invitational at the University of Virginia School of Law.
Sports are a big aspect and draw for students who attend UConn Law. Whether students are watching the various varsity teams playing or playing in recreational leagues themselves, sports are a great way to take a step back from your law school studies and relax.
By Tiffany Casanova
Law school and fashion are two things that do not usually come up in the same conversation. For some of us, what we wear is quite important and for others, not so much. Either is okay, but before and during my 1L year, there were many times that I asked myself “What do I wear?” If you are anything like me, a little guidance when you need it can’t hurt. Here are the basics:
Orientation
Trying to figure out what to wear to orientation definitely caused unneeded stress and too many outfit changes. Orientation at UConn Law means a lot of walking and participating in a variety of activities all while meeting your future classmates (a.k.a. future colleagues) and many of the law school staff and professors for the very first time. It is understandable that someone would want to make a good impression. With that being said, you do not need to wear a suit to make that impression! You can wear a suit, but you might be the only one and frankly, you might overheat. I recommend wearing something clean, comfortable, and versatile. This way you can feel relaxed, professional, and be able to transition from the daytime activities to the evening social events with ease. Aim for something that is a little less than business casual but a little more than what you might wear lounging on your couch. You cannot go wrong with a button down and khakis, a summer dress, or jeans and a top. Finally, don’t be afraid to show off a little of your personality. In the end, what you wear is definitely not going to be anyone’s main focus; so put some thought into it but do not stress over it.
Every Day
The dress code for the law school is almost always casual. Here and there, you will have to throw on a suit for a networking event or interviews, but more often than not, you will be spending your days in the classroom, behind a laptop, or buried in the books, so dress in something that will allow you to do those things in comfort. If its business casual, then so be it, and if its athletic clothes, by all means, please wear it. At the same time, do not forget that law school is a professional school. The best piece of advice I can give you: do not wear something you won’t want to be remembered for. There are many occasions where you will have unexpected (or expected) encounters with future employers and other professionals right on campus and you should always be prepared for those interactions. It is incredibly valuable to leave positive impressions on your legal and professional community. The go-to choices for most people are jeans, t-shirts, sweaters, etc. Wear what makes you feel best.
Fall & Spring Formals
There are certainly times to dress up and get fancy at UConn Law. Each year, we have a fall and spring formal—Fall Ball and Spring Fling. This is an excellent time to clean up, go out, and socialize with your classmates. The dress code is definitely semi-formal/cocktail—don’t wear or waste your money on a tux or a ball gown! Many people go with a suit (tie or no tie), short to tea-length dresses, and skirts.
Some final thoughts:
First, you don’t need to wear a suit every day but, yes, you should own at least one suit. If you do not have the means to buy several, I recommend starting off with a dark-colored suit that you can wear for networking events, interviews, and other business formal occasions. Dry cleaning will become a usual errand. Be sure to buy one early, as these events come up faster than you might believe.
Second, we are in New England. It gets cold, it gets hot, and the weather sure is unpredictable. Keep warm, keep cool, and be prepared for the worst.
Third, everyone gets a free pass (or ten) around and during finals time.
Finally, don’t forget, our campus is small, laid back, and collegial. As cliché as it may be, be yourself and dress in what you feel comfortable in. There are so many things that you have to worry about in law school that are more important than what you wear, especially as a 1L. Focus on your studies, interact with your community, and stay sane.
