Autumn 2024 marked the fourth iteration of a collaborative online international learning (COIL) opportunity involving undergraduate law students from the University of Kent and the Université de Bordeaux, France. The virtual experience connects students from two different jurisdictions. Over the course of eight weeks, students partner to converse face to face using their preferred technology, like WhatsApp or teams. They learn about each other’s learning environments and legal systems, building up to a collaborative research project on a legal issue of interest to them both.
Now that the exchange has concluded, second year Kent Law School student Verda Mbala describes her experience: ‘This year’s exchange program has been truly rewarding. Meeting Yanis was such an interesting experience because we were able to exchange our backgrounds, interests in law, and motivations for joining the program. I found it very interesting comparing how law is studied in France and England.
When we began planning our project, we discovered a shared interest in commercial law. This led us to choose the topic of legal protection for traders and retailers in France and the UK. Through our research, we explored trader definition, accounting requirements and bankruptcy protections, uncovering key distinctions between our two legal systems. This program has been a very invaluable opportunity for growth, both academically and personally.’
Second year Kent law student Celine Saroukian, from Montréal Canada, reflects on her motivations for joining the opportunity: ‘I joined the exchange program to explore different perspectives in law, and meeting a French law student expanded my understanding of both the similarities and differences in our legal systems. Overall, the Kent Law School Bordeaux exchange was eye-opening, allowing me to grow academically. Each week’s topic offered valuable insights into French law, culminating in our final project on legal surveillance in the modern world. I also had the chance to connect with someone who shares my cultural background, making the program even more meaningful. I’m so glad I participated!‘
Final year law student Lauren Montgomery adds that ‘the Virtual Exchange with the University of Bordeaux was a wonderful experience. I was able to gain in-depth knowledge about the French legal system, and I was also able to engage in comparative legal research of Canada, UK, and France. As an international student from Canada this project was both helpful and important to me, as the Canadian legal system has been influenced by both countries. I was also able to explore a topic I had not able to look at in my other courses. This is a great addition to any students learning experience, and I would highly recommend it’.
Senior lecturer at Kent Law School, Laura Charleton, who collaborated with her counterpart at Bordeaux to create the opportunity, explains that ‘the COIL is such an exciting project for so many reasons. Not only do the students benefit from gaining a deeper understanding of a different legal system, but they do so whilst using technologies that facilitate connections across borders. Building knowledge whilst extending communication and organisational skills can be beneficial for current studies as well as future employment. This is in addition to establishing new friendships and developing cultural intelligence. It is a pleasure to facilitate this opportunity and very pleasing to see the real impact it makes.’
We look forward to the fifth anniversary of the exchange in Autumn 2025.