Blog: How I spent my 20th birthday at the Taj Mahal
My name is Katy and I am currently a second year LLB Law student! I was lucky enough to have spent a month in India for a summer school and internship through the Go Global scheme. Personally, a year abroad was never on the cards, so I was thrilled to get a place on a short-term international opportunity providing me with many of the same experiences a year abroad would have done.
What made me decide to study abroad?
Travelling has always been a passion of mine, having taken a gap year prior to university where I spent six months abroad, my drive to travel and experience new cultures was elevated. So when I came across the Go Global short term opportunities I thought it was the perfect way to satisfy my itch to travel whilst also supplementing my degree. India specifically stuck out to me because it is a growing legal market and the ability to learn about this directly from the country itself appealed to me. Also I wanted to experience a whole different culture and escape England for a bit!
What did my international opportunity teach me?
I can wholeheartedly say my study abroad in India revolutionised my life and my way of learning. I was able to learn directly from Indian professors and professionals about Indian law, their constitution and making comparative analysis to other international law. Also the ability to learn about culture, religion and customs first-hand is something you cannot learn elsewhere. I was also able to learn from the amazing other students I travelled with too, they taught me so many amazing study skills and gave me tips for my upcoming years of study. I also participated in my first legal internship, where I learnt so much about how the law world operates in action whilst pretending I was an official international lawyer for a week!
Of course the main reason for going was to study and supplement my learning, but my time in India went way beyond this. From trying on sarees in Chandni Chowk with new friends, drinking sugar cane juice from a street vendor, to playing water polo in the pool with the local students, I left India with a myriad of unique experiences and memories which will undoubtedly stay with me for life. I don’t think many other people can say they spent their 20th birthday by the Taj Mahal!
The worries of going abroad
Making the decision to fly to a whole new country, far away is undoubtedly daunting! And something I was apprehensive about was the process of sorting out visas, flights and support while I was out there. But faculty from both UoB and my host university were incredibly supportive and were there for me for any worries or queries I had – and trust me, I had a lot of questions!
Is a short term opportunity going to be worth it?
One hundred percent! The trip made me more confident in myself and my abilities. It helped demonstrate that a career abroad is truly something I can aspire to have while also teaching me about a beautiful culture I likely would not have experienced without this opportunity. Short term opportunities are great because you get the international experience like a year abroad but it does not feel like the degree has been halted or extended in anyway – so if that is a reason which deters you from a year abroad, this is perfect for you!
I look back on my time in India with nothing but fond memories and laughter – India has not seen the last of me!
Interested in your own Go Global adventure? Visit the Go Global homepage to find out more.