Discover Your Philosophical Quest & Professional Skills: William & Mary Law Student in Spain

Summary

University of William and Mary law student Kendra Lovett recently spent the summer in Barcelona, Spain, as part of an international study abroad program, where she sought a unique combination of academic, cultural, and practical experiences.


During her experience abroad, Kendra was able to pursue her personal quest to develop a philosophical understanding of international law as it related to her home country and the global community. Additionally, she was able to tap into the area's vast and varied cultural attractions, such as the city's famous art galleries and impressive architecture.

Kendra was also able to hone her legal skills while in Barcelona with a variety of internships, including one at a world-renowned intellectual property firm. She participated in workshops and lectures, which provided her with hands-on experience in business, civil, and intellectual property law.

In addition to deepening her understanding of the law, Kendra was also able to gain practical experience by working on real-world cases. The experience gave her the opportunity to analyze and interpret international law from both a theoretical and practical perspective.

Kendra was also able to make professional and personal connections in Barcelona that she believes will serve her for many years to come. She found the people she met in Barcelona to be open and friendly, and she was able to take advantage of their insights into the country's culture and legal system.

Overall, the experience in Barcelona allowed Kendra to pursue her personal philosophical quest while gaining practical legal skills. The knowledge and connections she acquired in Barcelona are sure to serve her well in the future. Kendra Lovett's experience illustrates the potential of an international study abroad program to provide students with a unique combination of academic, cultural, and practical learning opportunities.

William and Mary Law Student, Kendra Lovett, recently spent the summer in Barcelona, Spain, where she was able to pursue her academic goals, discover the city's cultural attractions, and gain practical legal experience. Through her program, Kendra was able to develop a philosophical understanding of international law while taking advantage of the city's wide range of internships, workshops, and lectures. She was also exposed to real-world cases and able to form professional and personal connections that she believes will serve her well in the years to come. In sum, Kendra Lovett's time in Barcelona provides an example of what international study abroad programs can do for students, giving them the opportunity to explore philosophy and sharpen their legal skills in a context that is both academically stimulating and culturally enriching.
 

Exploring a New Culture in Spain

William & Mary Law student, Ryan Nyland, went to Spain in search of something more than just a study abroad experience. During his four month trip, Nyland learned about Spanish culture, gained an appreciation for the Spanish language, and strengthened his practical legal skills. Nyland credits his semester abroad in Spain as an eye-opening, life changing experience.
 

Discovering Spain's Rich Culture

Nyland was drawn to Spain because of its rich culture, which he had been wanting to explore ever since his freshman year in college. During his four month stay, Nyland immersed himself in the culture of Spain, taking part in the traditional Spanish customs and celebrations. He was able to gain a better understanding and appreciation of the Spanish language by speaking with the locals. In addition, Nyland was able to make connections with the people he met, who shared stories and experiences that further broadened his perspective.
 

Developing Legal Skills in Spain

Nyland also used his time in Spain to gain a stronger understanding of legal processes and principles, as he participated in a legal research and writing course at the University of Castilla-La Mancha. This course provided Nyland with the opportunity to author several legal documents in Spanish. He also gained practical legal experience by participating in an internship at a legal firm in Madrid. His experiences in Spain gave him a newfound appreciation of the Spanish legal system and how it functions.
 

Finding Inspiration in Spain

Nyland reflects on his experiences in Spain as a source of inspiration and enlightenment. Not only did he gain a greater understanding of legal principles and processes, but he also developed an appreciation for Spanish culture and language. He believes that his semester abroad in Spain has prepared him for his career as a lawyer by providing him with hands-on legal experience. He also states that his journey abroad has enabled him to discover new perspectives and to continue to pursue his philosophical quest.
 

Returning From Spain

Upon returning from Spain, Nyland was eager to apply the lessons he had learned to his studies at William & Mary Law. His experiences abroad had equipped him with a better understanding of the Spanish legal system and how it operates. He also had acquired a keen appreciation of the Spanish culture, language, and people. With the newfound knowledge, Nyland is ready to face the challenges of his legal career with a newfound confidence and enthusiasm.

Spirer is a second-year law student at William & Mary's Marshall-Wythe School of Law, Williamsburg, VA. She spent part of the summer of 2004 in Madrid, Spain, on William & Mary's study abroad program there. The Madrid program ''really enriched my legal education,'' says Spirer.

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A Spanish and political science double major, Spirer did not have the chance to study abroad while an undergraduate at Ohio Northern University (class of 2003). Spirer jumped at the chance to study in Spain while in law school, even though her legal career focus is towards domestic politics and government relations, not international law.

This coming summer, Spirer will work at the Indianapolis firm of Baker & Daniels, which has a strong government relations group. Spirer will do general work at the firm. And in the fall 2005 semester, Spirer will do an externship with the Virginia State Legislature.

Studying in Spain could benefit someone working in a legal career or in the U.S. government on a practical level, Spirer said. It is as simple as communicating between different cultures. Spirer's Spanish friends told her that their opinions of Americans changed by meeting her, as did her perspective change by meeting them.

The skill of communicating with those who think differently can be carried into both political and legal career life. Two sides of a contested political issue can only come to an understanding when an effort is made by both sides to come to a ''cross-cultural'' understanding. This also applies in court cases, says Spirer, when lawyers need to understand the other side's perspective.

On a philosophical level, Spirer saw the difference in how Spaniards see Americans and how Americans see ourselves, including opinions on the then-upcoming U.S. elections. Arriving in Spain soon after the March 11 train bombings, Spirer and fellow program participants saw the need for nations to support each other in the face of tragedy, she says. Having political discussions with Spanish people showed her how connected the world is and how important it is to facilitate dialogue among people internationally.

Contemplating these ideas in the context of her legal studies lead Spirer to her journal note topic. Spirer, a member of William & Mary's Bill of Rights Journal, is examining whether or not the U.S. Supreme Court should look at foreign court decisions in its own decision-making process.

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As part of the note, Spirer is looking at Federalism through a comparison of the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution (repealing Prohibition) and a 1978 case that went before the European Court of Justice. She is looking at whether this comparison can help us better understand our own federalism.

Considering foreign court decisions is a hotly debated question now, says Spirer, and not only in the realm of international relations. Questions involving the death penalty for juveniles, which is still allowed in some states, have examined international opinions on the practice, for example. And, there currently is a proposed resolution before the U.S. House of Representatives seeking to prevent U.S. courts from considering foreign court decisions when making their own rulings.

The side supporting the resolution says that the U.S. should not be bound by foreign laws and rulings, explains Spirer. The side opposing it says that U.S. courts would not be bound by foreign judicial rulings and laws by considering them but rather that the comparison of ideas that may be succeeding elsewhere could aide in decisions here.

With many law schools' international programs accepting students from other schools, Spirer originally chose the William & Mary Madrid program specifically because of the ease of transferring credits and because of the faculty. Overall, ''I was really impressed with the professors,'' she says.

Students in the program provided an ''interesting perspective,'' Spirer says, because they were not only studying in Spain, but also being taught by Spanish professors (in English). As yet another cross-cultural benefit of the program, one of the eight Spanish faculty members in the program, Professor José M. de Areilza, will come to William & Mary next spring to teach European Union Constitutional Foundations.

Having advised the Spanish government during the development of the European Constitution, Professor de Areilza, Academic Co-Director of the William & Mary Madrid program and Professor of European Union Law and Vice-Dean of Legal Studies at the Instituto de Empresa in Madrid, is an expert on the European Union's new Constitution. In addition, he was an advisor to the Spanish Prime Minister on European and North American Affairs and teaches law in Poland.

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As for how students relate to him, Spirer sums it up, ''He was such a great professor.'' Not surprisingly, she plans to take his course next spring.