My name is Vaszília Bartošová, from Slovakia, and I am a graduate of the LLB in International and European Law here at the University of Groningen. I am currently pursuiing an LLM in the Research Master programme taught at the Groningen Graduate School of Law. In this blog post, I would like to share a bit about myself and explain why I chose this particular master's program

Before coming to Groningen, I was active in various Slovak NGOs, mostly trying to create educational and work opportunities within the regions or joining petitions as a coordinator and activist. I was very frustrated, especially regarding various policy and legal circumstances. I wanted to go abroad and develop academically to gain insights and new perspectives. This led me to the International and European Law LLB programme in Groningen.

After graduating from the LLB, I chose to stay in Groningen and pursue the two-year Research Master LLM. I was interested in this particular programme as the evaluation is heavily essay-based and offers a flexible structure. This enables me to take courses and seminars in areas relevant to my research interests, such as competition law or EU external policy, while also pursuing courses that will help me learn how to conduct research better.

Students of the Research Master programme gain practical insights into their fields through research internships. As a research intern, one either assists or conducts research with a professor on a topic of choice. This experience is highly insightful and informative, as it not only helps the student gain new knowledge but also provides practical understanding and a better view of the context of the research area.

I believe this program is valuable for students, as it allows them to look deep into subjects they’re curious about, while guided by experts in the field. Throughout the programme, students gain the ability not only to find answers to complex dilemmas but also to ask the right questions. The classroom experience can differ, as during this LLM, one joins the classrooms of other master's degrees. However, the professors are very approachable and create a classroom where students debate relevant topics. Hence, the teaching methods are very interactive.

It's been nice to continue being a student in Groningen since it is a city where one can truly enjoy and romanticise student life. There are plenty of wonderful study places with incredible views. Additionally, I think the city offers various opportunities for being active beyond the classroom, as it caters to individuals with diverse interests and hobbies

- Vaszília Bartošová, Slovakia, Research Master LLM student

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