Testimonials

My name is Themis Karvounidis, I am 27 and I come from Greece. After completing my bachelor studies (plus an exchange semester at the University of Vienna) and a master programme on public international law in Greece, I decided to continue my master studies on maritime law in a purely international environment. Rotterdam fulfilled these criteria from the beginning.

The main reason why I chose the master programme of Maritime and Transport Law at  Erasmus School of Law was that, being specialised in the law of the sea during my previous studies, I wanted to further study on maritime issues from a commercial perspective. This programme combined both international and maritime law aspects and studying in Rotterdam felt like studying the right subject at the right place. Furthermore, the city provides a multicultural atmosphere with many social activities and its geographical location helps travelling around the country and experiencing other cultures.

I could describe the programme itself as an intense one. It is divided into blocks of approximately one month and a half, and each block consist of one or two courses, after which exams take place. At the beginning, I prepared myself that this would be very difficult and demanding, since the courses would be taught within a short timeframe and exams would take place often. Despite this being true, I soon realised I could remain focussed a lot more than a structure with multiple semesters as I was used to back in my country. With this structure, I could concentrate on a specific subject each time and get better prepared for more complex issues during the next blocks.

Also, I realised that the programme had a somehow reverse order of difficulty. Even though each block and course has their challenges, the first block (Research and Writing Skills) is the most demanding, with several deadlines from week to week for written and oral assignments. I could predict that any prospective student could feel stressed or discouraged for what comes next, but I can say that the more the programme progresses the more confidence one gets managing deadlines and studying at the same time. In general, the deadlines do not coincide with each other, so I never felt overwhelmed by pressure.

The programme also includes moot courts, visits to international institutions and guest lectures from professionals that give an insight of the industry and help international students to get familiar with stakeholders. The professors are active both academically and professionally, so they express the demands of the market at its current state. From a teaching perspective, they are willing to provide all the necessary material and guidance. Finally, as an international student in Rotterdam during the coronavirus outbreak, I should admit that the institution and our professors and coordinators did their best not letting us feel neglected and continuing the programme as close to normal as possible.

Why did I choose Erasmus for my LL.M. in International Trade Law? Well, as a legal practitioner in Latin America I realised it is important to have a holistic perspective of law. Even though I had just finished an LL.M. programme in international tax, customs and trade in Colombia. Nevertheless, when I met with multinational corporations and prospective clients, they recommended me to pursue a more international LL.M. because it would make me a better professional. At that moment I decided to enrol in another LL.M. I was looking for a high ranked university in international trade law with renowned staff members, located in a major city.
Thus, my search began. I found that Erasmus University Rotterdam was elite in international trade law and their staff members were important lawyers and researchers. Also, many of their alumni work in outstanding law firms and international organizations such as the WTO and the WCO. And on top of that, the Erasmus University is in Rotterdam. I was convinced right away.

On my first day, I realised that most of the students just graduated from their bachelor programmes. I thought that I would meet a lot of young, but more experienced lawyers as fellow classmates. Nevertheless, the fact that I was one of the oldest and most experienced in the class was helpful. I was able to exchange my professional experience with my fellow students and I learned many research skills from them that I had not explored before. My thesis tutor was prof. dr. Frank Smeele, a well-known professor in maritime and trade law. He guided me every step of the way, gave me great feedback and supervised me to write a powerful thesis. I thought it would be an intimidating process with him as my tutor, however, it turned out to be one of the best experiences I have ever had with a tutor. In sum, I truly believe that the LL.M. programme International Trade Law helps me become a better, more capable professional.

For future students leaning towards Erasmus University Rotterdam, I totally recommend that you enrol in this programme. It is a perfect combination between maritime law, trade finance, commercial contracts and carriage of goods. At the end, you will have the knowledge to engage any matter in international trade with confidence and enthusiasm. Rotterdam is a great city to live in. You will be surrounded with private ports and vessels everywhere. You will feel the 'international trade vibe' every time you walk around or ride your bike.  Finally, the campus is amazing, and Sanders Law Library will become your sanctuary, being a place where you will exchange knowledge with your fellow students

My name is Friedrich Ernst and I am 27 years old. I grew up in the vibrant city of Berlin, where I also spent all my years in school. At 20, I moved to Heidelberg, a very calm and beautiful, typical University city, to study Law. After 5,5 years of studying in Germany (with an Erasmus exchange to Istanbul after 2 years), I needed to go somewhere else to see how Law is taught and practiced elsewhere.

When I decided that I wanted to participate in an LL.M. programme, I looked around for places that interested me the most, rather than for the best fitting curriculum. Quite some friends told me that Rotterdam is the perfect mix of a metropole that is not too big, so it is possible to feel like home quite soon. When I looked for the programmes offered, I found that Erasmus University Rotterdam has quite a focus on economic (law) courses, which was not what I was looking for. Luckily, there was this International and European Union Law master programme and since I was always interested to dive deeper into the increasingly important EU law, I was ready to give it a try.

When I started the programme, it was quite a new experience for me. First, from my point of view law is being looked at a lot more practical in the Netherlands then in Germany, where the theoretical approach is much more visible. Secondly, the classes focus a lot on discussion which I like a lot, so there is quite some interaction between the students and the professors. Add to this that the classes are rather small compared to Germany and that a lot of classes are taught by two professors rather than one, further enhancing the discussion. Furthermore, the students as well as the professors are quite international which is extremely interesting, because you get insights from very different points of view.

On the other hand, there are some things to consider in the decision as well. For example, it was a little hard to adjust to the fact that there is a deadline for something to hand in basically every (second) week, so there is always something to do. In addition, in the course there is no real semester break in the spring, so the courses go on during the whole year (except for Christmas and some shorter brakes in between). Furthermore, the housing in Rotterdam can become an issue since there is quite a lot of demand and not so many places. Therefore, the city in general is not the cheapest, but in the end, I would say it is worth it! Especially since the University is very helpful when foreigners come to Rotterdam to study and need help with accommodation and other questions. The very efficient and supportive organization could also be seen when the University got shut down during the Corona crisis. The staff made a huge effort to keep the classes running online and keep everyone satisfied as much as possible.

I am Jennifer, a 29-year-old attorney from the Midwest United States. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Diplomatic History, as well as a Juris Doctor in Natural Resources Law. I began my career in Energy as a Judicial Clerk with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, which regulates public utilities across the state. I then spent four years working in land negotiations, project management, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance with several Oil & Gas Exploration and Production companies.

I have long had a desire to work in International Energy Policy, and therefore I chose to pursue an LL.M in European and International Public Law at Erasmus University in order to transition my career. I am excited to further this goal by working with the Gemeente Rotterdam and the C40 Climate Adaptation Academy, beginning in February 2018.

Erasmus University has been a PERFECT fit. The cost is incredibly reasonable for the quality of education. The pace is challenging, the subject matter interesting, and the professors are clearly experts in their field, each having a wealth of knowledge to contribute in the classroom. The programme also allows me enough flexibility to conduct research within my own field of interest. I am pleased with my choice both academically and personally, as Rotterdam is an incredibly vibrant city filled with nightlife, quirky architecture, a welcoming international community, sprawling bike paths, local markets, delicious food, and a plethora of job opportunities.

I consider myself an outdoorsperson, with a penchant for adventure. Travelling, hiking, and footraces fill my spare time. And I have the same motto, whether it refers to climbing mountains in Montana and Malawi, to trail running in Tulsa, to ice climbing in Norway, or to academic and professional pursuits: ‘Limits are for those who need them’.

I obtained a scholarship from the ESL TalentFund, which offers students from developing countries the opportunity to pursue an LL.M. at Erasmus School of Law. Since September 2016, I have been increasing my legal knowledge by following ESL’s LL.M. in Commercial and Company Law.

I come from Rwanda, and my first name is Emmanuel, which means God with us. My other name is Mugagga, and in our local language it means a very rich person. In God, I consider myself rich, although not currently in terms of money, but in many other wonderful ways, and the opportunity to study at Erasmus School of Law is just one of them, and a means to others.

Generally, no matter where lawyers live, they often have the same mindset and ideologies. The quality of education at Erasmus School of Law is very high, and the School’s pedagogical system motivates students to work hard. My LL.M. curriculum is good, providing students with structure and with the motivation to prepare well for class. In addition, Erasmus School of Law has excellent facilities, including an online library with a broad range of sources, to which students have access. In addition, there is a special library for law students − Sanders Law Library – with its selection of good books, magazines, and study areas. In my country, current legal resources are unfortunately scarce, and the system does not encourage or fully facilitate students to the extent that Erasmus does.

I have already been thinking about what I will bring back to my home country. In my opinion, it will be good to take the methodology and structure of the LL.M. of Erasmus School of Law as an example. I should be able to collect good literature, to prepare myself to give lectures and seminars, and to make sure that students can access the prescribed literature and are motivated to prepare themselves. This means that in the end, we can, together, raise the quality of lectures to a higher level.

Every week, I try to find time to walk around and to explore many different things in the city: for example, parks, museums, and the harbour. I also play soccer in a Dutch soccer team. In addition, I love to ride my bike from home to the university; it gives me the freedom to see a little more of the city, and I enjoy being outside, although it is a bit difficult for me to get used to the cold Dutch winter weather.

The process of applying for a scholarship takes time, so be committed and take the application very seriously. You also need to be patient. I did not receive a scholarship the first year that I applied, but I tried again, and in the second year I received one, which brought me to Erasmus School of Law in Rotterdam. It was absolutely worth the time and the effort!

Goedendag! I am Antonia Solini, a 26-year-old LL.M. student in Commercial and Company Law, and  from the beautiful and always sunny Greece. Studying at Erasmus School of Law has been an experience better than I could ever have imagined! Let me explain why. 

During my prior studies in the Faculty of Law at the University of Nicosia in Cyprus, I realised that I wanted to specialise in Commercial and Company Law. I believe this is a fascinating field with many perspectives, and it has a significant impact on most important aspects of society. Following the advice of one of my professors, I began to look into the Erasmus School of Law. I knew immediately that I was closer to my goal of becoming an outstanding lawyer, and that this Master Programme would be an excellent starting point.

First of all, the high standards of research programmes at Erasmus University present a perfect opportunity to fulfill your professional ambitions. Meeting esteemed faculty members will turn your journey into an extraordinary period of learning. In addition, the wide range of modules on offer will greatly enrich your studies and help you in your prospective career.
In my opinion, the best part consists of the visits to law firms where you can see in practice all the theory that you have learned. It is also a tremendous opportunity to expand your networking even further. 

Rotterdam is one of the most important economic centres in The Netherlands, hosting some of the biggest multinational corporations and shipping industries in Europe. There is no better place to study this discipline. Moreover, studying in an international environment will give you the privilege of creating new bonds with people from all around the world. It is amazing how similar we are, even if we grew up in countries as far from each other as, for example, Greece and Ecuador. 

Rotterdam has many parks and lakes to visit on those lucky days when it happens to be warm. It is also the best city in which to ride a bicycle, as every street has a cycle path, and there are many bicycle parking spots around the city. All in all, cycling is an easy and a cheap way to explore the modern city of Rotterdam.

A quote that I particularly like, and that gives me strength in difficult situations, is this: ‘If you dream it, you can do it!’ To all prospective students, I recommend that you apply to Erasmus University now, and do not miss the chance of having the most exciting lifetime experience. And make the most of all the many fantastic opportunities that the University offers. 

My name is Niccolò, and I am a 25-year-old Italian. After completing my 5-year LL.M. programme in Italy, I realised that I wanted to focus my career on Business Law. Once I started looking for LL.M. programmes in Italy and abroad, my choice soon fell on the Commercial and Company Law programme in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. I chose it because of the excellent level of education as well as its affordability. Another reason for choosing Erasmus School of Law was one of the LL.M.’s most distinctive features: namely, its double focus on both the corporate and the trade aspects of EU and international law.

I found education in Rotterdam to be more practical than the education I had followed in Italy. The Commercial and Company Law  LL.M. really gets ‘down to business’, and the lectures are frequently based on cases and on problem-solving. The lecturers often have wide experience in the field, and that is an invaluable quality. The courses are challenging, and they require commitment, but the opportunities you get are incredible. Together with three other students from different Master programmes, I represent the Erasmus School of Law in the prestigious Willem C. Vis Moot on International Commercial Arbitration. We have already attended preparatory sessions at universities and international law firms in Amsterdam, London, and Paris. In April, we will go to Vienna for the real deal: to compete against students from 270 universities from all over the world, under the watchful eye of legal experts in this field. We have already met countless amazing people, and what we learn from this experience, both personally and professionally, goes beyond what I could have imagined.

There’s no doubt that the LL.M. in Commercial and Company Law is tough. So my advice to prospective students is: Be ready. You will be expected to invest a lot of effort into your studies, but as always, the more you give, the more you get. And what you get here can prepare you for whatever career you may want to pursue in the future. As they say: Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

In March 2019 I completed the LL.M programme Legal Theory and Socio-Legal Studies. This LL.M. programme pays attention to fundamental topics of contemporary legal theoretical debate, as well as the knowledge needed for taking your own (critical) stance within these debates. The programme stands out by its special notice for interdisciplinarity in which philosophical, sociological, anthropological and legal (doctrinal) approaches complement and reinforce each other. Also, the LL.M. programme offers plenty possibilities to incorporate your own interests and insights into your curriculum. I followed several courses with a philosophical, anthropological and international legal perspective, as well as courses that enhanced my methodological skills. Because of the the wide range of elective courses, I have been able to place an accent on (the philosophy of) international human rights during the programmme. In the end, all of this came together in my master thesis, in which I conducted a critical legal-theoretical analysis of the legitimate authority of the international human rights regime.

Right after my graduation I was able to get a job as a (peak) lecturer in legal theory at Utrecht University. I was alerted to this job opportunity by one of the professors from our section. As a peak lecturer you fulfill a short nomination as a teacher, usually for the duration of a block or semester. In Utrecht I was mainly concerned with giving lectures, supervising students in writing legal-theoretical annotations and checking exams. Although it initially felt like a pretty big step (from the position of a student to a position of a lecturer), but this real life “aptitude test" demonstrated that I was well prepared due to the LL.M. programme Legal Theory & Socio-Legal Studies on such a position. The latter is fortunately also confirmed by a positive assessment in the student evaluations at the end of the course.

At this moment I have decided to prolong my time as a student for a little longer by embarking on a second master programme on moral and political philosophy.

Altogether I’ve had positive experiences with the LL.M programme Legal Theory & Socio-Legal Studies. I can recommend it to all law students who are interested in legal-theoretical approaches that go beyond the pure application of law, and students who like to formulate their own critical view on law or the legal system.

How democratic is ‘Brussels’? What can the international community do when multinational corporations are infringing environmental and human rights? (Why) do we need the European Union? What rights do refugees have? Do you want to develop a founded answer and opinion on this wide-range of questions? Then choosing the LL.M. in International and European Union law might be the right choice for you!

During the first two blocks, you will get an insight in these – and a bunch of other – international and European Union law-related topics. Thereafter, it is time to specialise. Me myself, have chosen to specialise in European Union law and I am more than happy with my choice! Not only have I developed a strong knowledge on the technicalities and foundations of European Union law – such as the fundamental freedoms, the right of standing before the Court of Justice, and competition law – but now I also understand the (highly important) role of European Union law in national legal systems. The European Union law track is particularly academic, but with several guest lectures from practitioners – e.g. attorneys and judges – the academic and the practical world come together. After following this track, I am more than convinced to being able to put my gained knowledge into practice as a future lawyer!

What also appealed to me, was that the LL.M. in International and European Union law is relatively small in terms of students, which really adds value both academically and socially. There is always room for discussion and debate between students and lecturers and, last but not least, it contributes to a strong bond between you and your fellow students. For example, in my year, we had a Christmas dinner together, regularly went for after-class drinks and we will have a summer farewell activity!

Studying International Law at Erasmus University Rotterdam goes beyond either the Erasmus University or Rotterdam. As a city beside The Hague, “the legal capital of the world”, one gets the best of both worlds — the university’s academic prowess, and the opportunities that lie within and beyond the city, including lectures and events at the Asser Institute and The Hague Academy of International Law. I regularly made use of these opportunities and had an opportunity to speak to Prof. Martti Koskenniemi. By choosing to study International and European Union Law at Erasmus, it opened more doors than I could imagine.

The curriculum of the International and European Union Law LL.M. Programme is bleeding-edge and you are exposed to all ongoing issues of International Law, including those topics and issues currently being debated or under negotiations. Combined with a foundation of European Law and the option to pursue a European Law track, it makes for a great academic-professional balance in this LL.M. programme. Some opt to combine both International Law and European Union Law elective courses.

What also appealed to me was that we frequently had guest lectures from professors of other universities, including those from other disciplines as well. In short, we had as much a diverse set of lectures as we had a diverse set of students, who could expose us to different concepts, crucial to a critical understanding of the law.

Lastly, the academic environment, comprising of both the teachers and the students, is conducive for intellectual stimulation as I feel constantly motivated to do better.