Tayla Armstrong-James has just returned from her year studying law abroad in Canada, at Osgoode Hall Law School, York University in Toronto, during the third year of a four year International Legal Studies with a Year Abroad LLB at Kent Law School.
Here are Tayla’s reflections, as she prepares for her final year back in Canterbury …
‘I am from South London and have always dreamed of both being a lawyer and going to Canada. I initially applied to the University of Kent for a straight law degree but went through clearing on results day to change to International Legal Studies with a Year Abroad when I realised there was space still left on the programme.
As someone who loves to solo travel, moving abroad and living alone in a country so far away from home was an incredible experience that I am so glad I got to experience. 
As the only person chosen to go to Osgoode Hall from Kent I was forced to put myself out there and get out of my comfort zone.
As the only person chosen to go to Osgoode Hall from Kent I was forced to put myself out there and get out of my comfort zone.My time abroad wasn’t always the best as I did have problems with housing and initially found it a little hard to adapt to a new legal system and being the youngest in the class (in Canada, law is taught the same as the US so everyone already had an undergraduate degree) but I made some amazing friends from all around the world and I can’t wait to see them all again!
One of my favourite parts of the studying aspect of the year was the course selection. I was able to do courses that aren’t available at Kent such as Criminal Law: Homicide and Prison law: reform and values. I also got to do courses that I was potentially interested in at Kent but are only available to final year students to see if they were things I was actually interested in such as Family law, Evidence and Advanced Torts. 
As the Canadian legal system is influenced by the UK one and many core UK cases are the same in Canada (LOVE Donoghue v Stevenson) I was able to use my knowledge of core module cases to keep up and help me at Osgoode.
As the Canadian legal system is influenced by the UK one and many core UK cases are the same in Canada (LOVE Donoghue v Stevenson) I was able to use my knowledge of core module cases to keep up and help me at Osgoode.The year abroad taught me just how resilient and discipled I am as well as showing me that no matter how scary at first, I can do anything and everything that I put my mind to. I am so grateful for the opportunity to study abroad, and I really recommend doing it if you get the chance.’
Laura Charleton, Director of the International Legal Studies LLB at Kent Law School, adds her thanks to Tayla for her reflections, and wishes her well with her final year at Kent Law School.