PROGRAMME CASE STUDIES & FEEDBACK

I did the Law Work Experience in Buenos Aires.

The work differed from day to day, but most of it concerned Contract Law. Sometimes I'd have to look something up in Pennsylvanian Constitution for a case, sometimes I'd have to draft a memo for a prospective client about how to set up a business (and first figure out how to do that in the correct jurisdiction).

I wanted to work at a law firm because I'm studying law and I wasn't sure if I'd want to go to law school after I finished. The experience was great. Not only did I figure out that I want to continue studying law and possibly make a career out of it, but I also got to know a whole new city.

Adriana and Tamara were both as nice and helpful as can be. I had no worries about contacting them at any time.

The organisation of the Travellers placements in Buenos Aires is of an exceptionally high standard. The work placement is enjoyable, insightful, and obviously thought has gone into the choice of the firm itself and the choice of accommodation. My favourite aspect of the experience is simply the opportunity to live in Buenos Aires

At times it can be frustrating when my 'Spanglish' lets me down but it's a great way to learn a language and get some worthwhile experience at the same time. You definitely need to be able to use your initiative and work on your own. You can't be afraid to ask questions. You also need an open mind and a good sense of humour because obviously things are done differently here sometimes and you have to see the funny side of things. The host family are really nice and the house is great. They really help me to practice my Spanish and they are extremely knowledgeable about Buenos Aires so that really helps

I have had a good exposure to law and legal Spanish which has greatly improved my knowledge of how the law works in Argentina and what an Argentine lawyer does on a day-to-day basis. My Spanish has definitely improved a great deal since I have been here. I express myself much more fluently and clearly now and I am much more confident when speaking to Argentines at work, in the family I live with and in social situations. It has been a really good experience to be independent and find my own way in a foreign country. I have also really enjoyed working in a legal environment and improving my knowledge of how a law firm abroad works.

Finally I have loved getting to know a different people, a different culture and a very different country to what I have grown up with. I will definitely take away some great memories of Argentina. I have been really impressed by Travellers. The placement has been really well organised, both in the build-up to my departure for Buenos Aires and during my stay here. I have really felt well looked after

Can you describe a typical day? My day begins at 9:30 in the law firm. As the firm is quite a small firm in terms of staff, I am generally kept busy throughout the morning doing various tasks such as legal research, translations and administrative tasks for different people in the office. I leave the office at 1:30, have a quick lunch and then head off to my Spanish lesson between 3 and 5. I am set homework for every lesson, usually a translation, a grammar exercise or a short essay, which I discuss with my teacher before moving on to read a newspaper article, a short story by an Argentine writer or an article about an aspect of Argentine history. In the evenings and on the weekends I go out with some friends I have made while I have been here, explore the city or take a short trip to a nearby town.

I have gained more legal experience in different areas of law and I have improved my Spanish. Additionally I have met many wonderful people, and learned more about the Argentinean culture.  I worked on many interesting projects and I had the opportunity to write a comparative law paper with my supervisor. I recommend the person graduated from law school because most of the work I did required some legal knowledge. Melina, Adriana and Maria have been great. I am very happy with how organized this placement is. Everyone is so friendly and helpful. The City is amazing, and I cant wait to explore it. All the Travellers [volunteers] are so nice also. Overall I have had a great experience here at the law firm, one that I will not forget!

Buenos Aires is gorgeous, I really love it. Its very obviously a city of rich and poor but its great good knowing that there's so much to see and do and that I probably will struggle to do it all in three months! In terms of the legal placement, operating in a different legal system for a company that deals with important clients is a great experience. The main experience is living in a foreign country and getting to meet and know the people. I find Argentinean people fascinating and that is an amazing experience! The best thing about it is getting to research and discuss unfamiliar areas of law.

My Spanish has improved a lot and is continuing to do so. Thanks so much, if it wasn't for all your help and hard work I wouldn't be having this amazing experience

What type of person do you think this placement would suit? You have to be able to work off your own initiative and have a real interest in the law or you’ll be bored witless. As regards living over here in general, it may sound obvious but don’t come if there’s someone or something that you’re going to miss so much that it spoils your time. If you can’t handle that trade off then you shouldn’t come.

Can you describe a typical day? On the days I have a Spanish lesson I get up at  07:45, get ready and get the subte to my class (about 3 stops). I have that for 2 hours then subte it to work usually for about 1145. I start on whatever work we’re doing at the moment, usually with Lucy, and this has ranged from writing a shareholders agreement for a venture capital firm to preparing for a bondholder meeting for a large client. We take about half an hour for lunch usually around 1 and try to leave around 4. I tend to come back and chill for a bit and then either go out or cook some dinner and watch a DVD  (there’s a rental place nearby). I try to get to bed for 2 but you never get to sleep before 3 so a baby-style nap after work is a good move! The body clock adjustment is a big thing here. It’s not physically demanding but its a culture shift in a big way. Going out for dinner at 10 and clubbing after is awesome but a bit of a shift from the English way of doing things.

The experience has been invaluable in that I have been exposed to Spanish more intensely than had I simply been a tourist, thus allowing me to learn more at a quicker pace. As well, I have been introduced to how business is done in another country and seen firsthand the possibilites allowed by international business. The law placement is my favourite part of the trip so far, the people I am working both with and under (especially those I have been working under) have provided me with much guidance and have really enriched the experience for me.

This placement would suit someone whose interests lie in international business and/or law and who is self-motivated i.e. you can’t expect the work to be handed to you, you have to ask for it when necessary (don’t be shy)

I love Buenos Aires! It's a beautiful city and there's so much to do - haven't done much exploring outside of the city yet but am hoping to do so soon. What has struck me the most, is how friendly people are over here, everyone makes an effort to talk to you and lets you speak in Spanish even if you're making loads of mistakes.

I'm nearly at the end of my second week working in the law firm - I'm really enjoying it, it was difficult at first because I didn't understand the Argentinean accent, but all the lawyers are very friendly and are giving me loads of interesting work to do. I'm taking Spanish lessons for a month to sort out my grammar and already its improving! So, so far so good. I'm having a great time