My name is Cristiana Zamfir and I am a third year student in the International and European Law Programme. The third year of the LLB starts with a full semester of exchange spent at a partner university. Naturally, this year was different - with online teaching we did not have much choice but to pursue our semester ‘abroad’ within an online environment. As a result, all of us were bound to one place to pursue our exchange - the internet.

In planning my exchange period,  I opted for universities in the UK, because I have always wanted to go to the UK and to be a part of its culture, as well as the university environment. I chose universities with the most interesting courses for myself - more competition law focused in looking for the ‘perfect’ university to apply to, so I chose the University of Sheffield, Newcastle University, and University of East Anglia. Because Newcastle University was one of my most favourites, I was chosen to attend there. I was overjoyed when I heard this news - back before anyone could know just how frustrating this upcoming year would be; it was the spring of 2020, so there was much uncertainty. Nevertheless, I remained still ever hopeful that I would end up in Newcastle for the first semester of my third year, however, that did not happen.

When I first heard that the exchange period was going to be conducted virtually, I had mixed feelings about it. First I had to learn how to navigate a new online student portal, secondly I was attending a ‘foreign’ university where I knew no one, and thirdly I had to make sure I was integrating within the university environment at Newcastle, even though it was online. Amidst all the uncertainties I did my best to be a part of the Newcastle community, and the experience was a positive one.

I would have to say that the overall experience was one to remember for mixed reasons; from being the shy one in the virtual classroom to exchanging interesting ideas and thoughts regularly with the professors at the university, one of whom I am actually still keeping contact with and we always write about our most recent literature reviews. I am very grateful to have met wonderful persons and professors at Newcastle University, they are all devoted to their work and very understanding of our student situation. I had to make sure to attend every (online) event that was happening in our university community: lots of zoom quizzes and fun film nights, which ultimately brought us students more close in contact with each other. I have made good friends for whom I always make sure to write back, and maybe one day we get the chance to meet in person. Then again, in saying all of this, it is also crucial to remember that this semester abroad is like no other experience I have had, failing the opportunity to physically go to Newcastle and immerse myself in the culture is something that I will forever regret. However, we cannot change what has happened. 

A great tip that I wish I knew before my exchange would be to not stress too much about the exchange process and especially about the exchange itself - everything will sort out in your favour and you will be left with one of your greatest experiences from your LLB, online or not. During my exchange I had the opportunity to go to my home country for a couple of months, which helped in my overall study progress, because I was able to attend the courses in the comfort of my own house, close to my family. The exchange period is a time to enjoy a 'change of scenery' from your studies in Groningen.

For the last months of the LLB, I am looking forward to finishing my degree and successfully writing my bachelor thesis for which I am very excited about - an old passion of mine is finally coming to fruition through my thesis. There is a lot of work to put in, especially with the courses that we still have to complete. But I am grateful for all the good memories that I have made in my time studying in the LLB and I always look back at them, in between study sessions or when I feel nostalgic. I am sure the completion of my studies will bring me a great achievement that I will be proud of for many years to come. 

- Cristiana Zamfir, Romania, International and European Law student

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