It takes resilience to study law, and it takes creativity to make music. At Kent, I discovered how combining the two gave me more than a degree.
Introduction
I was born and raised in Hong Kong, a city where east meets west and where law has always felt unusually close to daily life. Growing up under a common law system shaped by its colonial past but handed back to China in 1997, I saw how legal traditions could coexist, evolve, and sometimes clash.
From a young age, politics were part of the backdrop. The Umbrella Revolution in 2014 was the first time I paid attention; by 2019, during the social movement, I understood that law was not just about rules, but about people and the structures that guide them. It was clear to me that studying law would not only provide a career path, but also the tools to engage critically with the world around me.
When it came to choosing a university, Kent Law School reflected those ambitions. Its mission to challenge traditional boundaries, to see law as a tool for justice and social change, and to build a global community of academics and practitioners resonated with the environment I had grown up in.
Entering through Clearing, I was focused on securing a rigorous legal education, and I expected my university life to be defined by case law, seminars, and preparation for practice. What I did not anticipate was how much music would remain part of my life at Kent. I arrived expecting my degree to revolve entirely around law, yet before I even landed in the UK I was awarded a vocal scholarship. That moment shifted my outlook. Instead of leaving music behind, I now had to consider how it would sit alongside a law degree. At first, I thought it might be an occasional commitment, but it grew into something much larger — rehearsals, performances, and a community that became central to my time here. The unexpected presence of music did not dilute my focus on law; instead, it gave my university journey a balance I had not thought possible…
Music as a parallel journey
When I first received the offer of a vocal scholarship, I felt both excitement and uncertainty. The idea of continuing music for three more years was thrilling, but I also had little sense of what to expect. There was not much information online, so I decided to take the opportunity and work around whatever came my way.
The balance I had not thought possible quickly became the rhythm of my time at Kent. The scholarship gave me more than purely rehearsals and lessons. It gave me a community. Teachers like Dan, Sophie and Michelle, as well as my fellow scholars Leonie and Florence, shaped my time at Kent as much as any textbook. Within the scholarship group, I never felt the divide of teacher and student in the way I sometimes did at law school. Instead, it felt like peers working together, pushing each other forward and learning collectively. That atmosphere was unique, and it kept me committed even when my law degree grew demanding.
Performances stand out as milestones of that journey. In my first year, I sang in Bach’s Sheep May Safely Graze during Summer Music Week, accompanied by flute, cello and piano. It was a delicate and collaborative piece, and I felt grateful to be trusted with such responsibility so early on. Another highlight came later when I was invited to perform Fauré’s Pie Jesu with the Maidstone Singers at All Saints Church. It was my first solo performance outside the university, and stepping into such a historic space gave my musical journey a new dimension. That invitation only happened because of encouragement from the department to enter the Passagio Vocal Award, a reminder that small nudges can open unexpected doors.
As my time at Kent progressed, I became more involved in the Music Department than I had imagined. The real turning point was when I recognised that music was not simply something I was holding on to; it was what kept me steady when law felt overwhelming. Friends often joked that if I ever went missing, the music building would be the first place to look. They were right, but the truth went deeper. Music was more than an escape. It was a training ground that taught me consistency, teamwork and the ability to stay composed under pressure. What began as something I assumed I would leave behind became the counterbalance that defined my degree.
Balancing Law and Music
During Law School
What stood out to me most at Kent Law School was the atmosphere between staff and students. It never felt distant or transactional. Tutors were approachable, and there was a genuine sense that our progress mattered. That tone carried through into every module, and it gave me the confidence to grow into the subject rather than just study it.
The biggest turning point, however, was my time with the Kent Law Clinic. It acted as a bridge between being a student and preparing for the professional world. Unlike internships at law firms, where junior roles are often limited to research or drafting, the clinic placed me directly in front of clients. I learned what it meant to listen carefully, to respond clearly, and to appreciate how much legal advice matters to people who may not otherwise have access to it. Those conversations were first-hand and often challenging, but they pushed me to develop a different kind of responsibility — one that shaped the way I now approach work in practice.
Beyond Graduation
Balancing law and music at Kent shaped me in ways that became more visible after I graduated. It was not only about completing a degree but about building habits that made me more resilient and adaptable.
Since leaving Kent, I have been working as a legal assistant in Hong Kong. The pace is fast, and the workload is heavy, especially in litigation where deadlines are constant. What struck me early on was how often the skills I had practised in music returned in a legal setting. Performing taught me to manage nerves, which now helps me stay composed when speaking with clients. Ensemble rehearsals trained me to listen and adapt quickly, qualities that matter just as much when dealing with colleagues under pressure. Even the discipline of showing up consistently to rehearsals has carried over into the way I approach demanding schedules at work.
One case I assisted on involved three domestic helpers accused of breaching their conditions of stay. Preparing for that matter required attention to detail and the confidence to contribute ideas, even as a junior. The perspective I brought helped our team challenge the assumptions being made by the prosecution, and I saw how creativity could make a practical difference. It reminded me that law is not only about applying rules but also about finding the right angle to advocate for clients.
Looking back, the balance I maintained at Kent taught me how to carry multiple responsibilities without losing focus. More than that, it showed me how to use different parts of myself in practice: discipline, creativity, and perspective. That balance is still the foundation of how I work today.
Closing reflection
Looking back, Kent has shaped me in ways that reach far beyond the scope of a single degree. What I gained was not only knowledge of the law but the ability to see challenges from a broader, more macroscopic perspective. The experience of balancing my studies with music, and of moving between the classroom and the community through the Law Clinic, developed me into a more all-rounded person ready to face the professional world.
I am grateful to those who guided me along the way. My academic tutor, was a constant source of encouragement and reminded me that it is possible to maintain balance even during the busiest terms. At the Law Clinic, I had the privilege of working closely with fellow student Megija Brande, whose support extended beyond the clinic itself into a genuine peer relationship. Both helped me grow with confidence, and their example continues to influence how I approach my work today.
Kent also showed me that you do not have to choose between your degree and your passions. Instead, the University encouraged me to integrate both, to carry forward the discipline of law alongside the creativity of music. That balance has become the foundation of how I work and who I am.
Kent prepared me not only for the study of law but for the wider responsibilities that come after. It gave me the confidence to handle challenges from multiple angles, the discipline to manage competing demands, and the perspective to see law within its broader social context. These are qualities that continue to shape the way I work today, and they are the reasons I leave Kent not only with a degree, but with the foundation of an all-rounded professional journey.
For more information on University of Kent Music Performance Scholarships, click here.