Testimonials

My name is Ata Yiğit Bozkurt. I am 21 years old and from Turkey. After having obtained my bachelor’s degree, before starting my career, I knew that I wanted to continue my studies with commercial law and especially with international arbitration. I already knew that Erasmus University was a prestigious institution, especially in the field of economics. After attending the master’s open day, I was convinced that the ‘International Arbitration and Business Law (IABL)’ master’s programme was the match for someone who wants to pursue such a career. 

The International Arbitration and Business LL.M. programme gives a solid basis in the field of international arbitration and teaches the essentials of international business law. Ranging from international commercial arbitration to contract drafting, I may say that the programme has equipped me with the skills necessary for an international arbitration/business lawyer. Visits to prospective employers, career fairs and -days, visiting lecturers, and with foremost professors who are experts in their fields, the programme has taught me a lot. It has introduced me to the area of international arbitration and business law.

I should say that the programme, with its highly experienced professors, has provided me with insight which, otherwise, I would not be able to obtain. Since arbitration itself is a private administration of justice, it is very challenging for a student to know the facts of each and every case. Here in Rotterdam, in addition to the already defined curriculum, what I valued the most was that our professors shared their personal experiences, especially in the field of international arbitration. Them sharing their experiences has enabled me to further develop my skills for my future career.

Finally, I would like to conclude by saying that I have enjoyed the International Arbitration and Business LL.M. programme very much. I would positively recommend this LL.M. programme to those who want to study international arbitration and business law.

My name is Aaron Nagtegaal and I am 23 years old. I grew up near Rotterdam where I am currently still residing. In 2015 I started my bachelor of Law at Erasmus University. Therefore, it was only natural that I would choose a master programme at Erasmus University too. The master Commercial Law has four different specialisations: Commercial and Company Law, International Arbitration and Business Law, International Trade Law and Maritime and Transport Law. As hard as it was for me to choose which bachelor I wanted to study, as easy it was for me to choose my master. A minor on shipping, an exchange period in Athens and an internship at a law firm really paved the way for choosing the Maritime and Transport Law programme.

As one of only a few Dutch students in the programme it was quite new for me doing an international master even though I had already done a semester abroad. However, the master’s introductory course is structured in a way that really helps students to get used to the pace of the year or rather the pace of assignments and deadlines which you will get used to (eventually). I found the regular courses quite challenging but very doable if you put in the work. Even without mandatory attendance you are forced to familiarise yourself with the course substance in order to complete assignments that count towards your final grades. This encourages students to attend lectures anyway which I always enjoyed. Since our programme consisted of just under 30 students this created a very personal atmosphere as opposed to the lectures in the introductory course with all four specialisations consisting of maybe 150 students in total.

Besides that, there is also the master’s student association, the Trade and Transport Law Association (TTLA), helping students as much as possible. I even got a job through TTLA early in the year and eventually went on to become the association’s treasurer. This gave me a chance to help organise events such as company visits and social drinks together with my fellow board members.  Unfortunately, the current COVID-19 pandemic cut the year short and shattered plans for a career day which we had planned for all students in March. On the other hand, when concerns grew among students that graduation might get delayed, the university fortunately acted quickly and provided online lectures and online exams for all courses.

If you are interested in maritime and transport law, this programme is definitely worth it. Where possible, the faculty blends in company visits and moot courts that complement the courses that you are following at that time. Furthermore, monthly social drinks, karaoke nights and even online pub quizzes from the student association make sure you keep in touch with students from all four specialisations. For internationals, the university’s international office will be very helpful as it was also very helpful for me when I was in Athens for my exchange semester. Finally, do not let the COVID-19 pandemic keep you from pursuing this master’s degree as the university has implemented lots of digital tools to help students get through the year.

My name is Dimitra Maria Palaiologou, and I am both an American and Greek citizen. I grew up in the United States, and later moved to Greece, Scotland and the UAE. I obtained my LL.B. at Université Paris-Descartes, Sorbonne University.

Having an international background, I wanted to specialize in a graduate programme that would enable me to pursue an international career. The Netherlands, and in particular Erasmus University, has a renowned reputation in academic excellence and an international outlook. Moreover, arbitration had always intrigued me due to my past work experience, so choosing Erasmus University and enrolling in International Arbitration and Business Law was a natural choice for me.

The LL.M. programme on International Arbitration and Business Law of Erasmus University is an intensive and demanding programme and the curriculum prepares the students excellently. Teaching is done by leading professionals in the field of international arbitration, therefore raising the standards and expectations which in turn inspires us, students, to excel. It is an irreplaceable experience to learn from the very best and also cultivate interpersonal connections. Erasmus University caters to the needs of its students and provides us with several professional opportunities. One of which is the Willem C. Vis Arbitration Moot competition. Being among the 5 students to be selected to represent the University in this prestigious global event was an amazing experience. I was able to apply the knowledge I acquired through my studies and expand my exposure to international arbitration. I strongly recommend any student, especially in arbitration, to try out for the team!

An important factor in choosing the right LLM programme is location. I had never been to Rotterdam before, so I didn't really knew what to expect. I was very happy to find out that Rotterdam is a beautiful, warm and welcoming city and Erasmus University reflects these qualities in the best way. Rotterdam, having a major port, plays a significant role in the Netherlands and offers a rich cultural environment for its visitors and residents. Rotterdam’s history blends well with modern life and the city is full of unique architectural designs. Its public transportation system makes navigating around a breeze and despite the heavy workload I was able to enjoy the city’s vibrant nightlife.

Looking back, I feel that I made the right choice selecting Erasmus University for my LL.M. studies. Life in Rotterdam has been very special to me. I was able to grow in many ways and my time at Erasmus University was filled with knowledge and valuable experiences. What made it even more special though, was sharing these experiences with people from different countries, people that I have been lucky to call friends. They filled my life with fun and loving memories.

Finally, my advice to a future student would be to make the most of your time in Rotterdam grabbing any opportunity Erasmus University offers in order to fully experience your life as a graduate student. Be proactive, manage your time wisely and most importantly enjoy yourself, as I did!

I am Freda Amoako. I come from Ghana in West Africa. When I decided to pursue an LL.M. programme, I looked for a programme that was both challenging and practical to the core. Maritime and Transport Law was an easy choice because I was aware how the maritime and transport industry affects various facets of the world’s economies. For me, choosing to study Maritime and Transport Law was a sure way of staying relevant in my practice as a lawyer.

The programme began with Research and Writing Skills and I was overwhelmed with the ton of work and group assignments. However, it turned out to be fun, especially through the group assignments as I made new friends. I particularly enjoyed the moot court competition. I thought it was a great way of practicing what had been taught in class. The programme is taught in a practical way. This is particularly evident in the several assignments and workshops that are included in the programme. It is a lot of hard work! If you are looking for a programme that is merely theoretical then pursuing an LL.M. in Maritime and Transport Law at Erasmus School of Law is probably not the way to go. However, if your goal is to gain practical and theoretical knowledge in your LL.M programme., then this is the master for you!

For someone who was coming from very far away, I was anxious about how easy or difficult it would be to adjust to my new environment. Adjusting to the new environment turned out to be easier than anticipated. The relationship between students and lecturers didn’t end in the classroom. I could send emails to my lecturers and get a response. To me that was impressive! The city of Rotterdam is vibrant and yet serene. It has interesting places to visit. It was always great for my friends and me whenever we took walks to relieve the stress after exams.

The COVID-19 pandemic came with challenges and I had my fears concerning the possibility of not being able to graduate due to measures put in place by the Dutch government. It turned out there was nothing to fear because the programme continued as scheduled, only now online.My regret is not having enough time to study the Dutch language. I think it would be awesome if some basic Dutch was included in the programme.

Nevertheless, I am glad I made the decision to study at Erasmus School of Law. In the end, I am positive I will leave the university with so many attributes I didn’t think was possible with university education.

My name is Laurène Mennesson and I am 24 years old. I'm French and I spent my childhood in the South of France. I did my bachelor's degree, as well as my first master in international law in Bordeaux. Having spent my life in France, I wanted to broaden my cultural experience by spending my second year of this master's degree in Hanoi, Vietnam. During that year, I wrote a thesis in investment arbitration and I realised that if I wanted to work in international arbitration, I had to spend a year specializing.

For this reason, I started looking for an LL.M. programme in international arbitration abroad, to perfect my English, and to explore a new country in Europe. In this way, the LL.M. programme offered by Erasmus University in Rotterdam met all my expectations. The LL.M. programme provides a unique curriculum, notably about international arbitration skills with expertise in international business law.

Living in the city of Rotterdam, I decided to adapt to Dutch culture and get around by bike, which I realised I love, because it gives me a huge sense of freedom. Everything around Rotterdam is very close by. And I loved having a sports complex right on campus, which allowed me to do a lot of sports.

The main advantage for me at Erasmus University is the large group of international students. There is a lot of diversity which is the reason I wanted to continue my education abroad. Our class this year was quite small compared to France which is an advantage, as it allows you to have real discussions with the teachers. The teachers are very attentive to our perfection of the course, both on a theoretical and a practical level. Furthermore, from the beginning of the year, we are prepared for the programme as we had to write a mini dissertation that allowed me to better understand the writing of my final thesis. I definitely have a better understanding of international arbitration. In particular, because of the practical exercises. It is very different from the French system, in the sense that the LL.M. programme is very practice-oriented, and the use of the law in our future professional life.

Moreover, I really feel that there are more professional opportunities in the Netherlands than in France. In addition to the LL.M. programme, the programme department provided us with opportunities to work in the field. I was successfully handpicked and I used to work twice a week at Linklaters in Amsterdam at the Dispute Resolution Department. This experience gave me practical insight supporting what I studied during the LL.M. programme.

I would advise students who want to join this master's programme to make sure that they find accommodation in advance because it is quite hard to find. You also must take into account that this LL.M. programme is very demanding, I spent most of my weekends at the library, but the efforts always payed off. More importantly, expect a great year with a lot of fun!

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!