Q&A with LLB student, Chloe Voong

Profile picture of Chloe Voong

What attracted you to studying at Kent?
The University of Kent has a great reputation for its excellent teaching, critical law school and student support team. This made me feel confident that I would have a good work-life balance and an academic student experience. Kent Law School provides a comprehensive list of optional and extra-curricular modules, and great employability opportunities that will support your journey in pursuing a legal career, such as their employability rewards scheme and volunteering in the law clinic.

Their Canterbury campus was particularly appealing due to its abundance of greenery, spacious land and modern facilities. Canterbury city centre is such a picturesque place with its medieval streets, cute cafes and stunning cathedral. It’s location is also convenient for me to travel back home to London.

How is your course going?
I study international legal studies (LLB) and I find the course brilliant and critically demanding in a way that challenges your thinking and encourages you to go beyond your required readings and curriculum. I am currently in my second year and enjoy how much deeper we are delving into the course. We are constantly linking back to current world issues and considering different perspectives of legal reasoning through contrasting case judgments, academic commentary and emerging theories.

I’ve also taken on a role as a student mentor where I support first-year students throughout their academic year. This has contributed towards my academic confidence and solidified my understanding of the law course.

How would you describe your lecturers and what do you think about the level of support in your studies?
Most of the lecturers here are passionate about what they teach and are always eager to answer your questions. They naturally test your ability to concentrate!

I am surprised by how stimulating most of my seminar leaders are in engaging with the course material and in instilling dissimilar critical perspectives.

Which modules have you enjoyed the most, and why?
I enjoy my Land Law module the most because it’s a dynamic subject that captures a multitude of things: from the pervading effects of historical colonialism on an international and national scale; the different attitudes towards property; the historical development of land law; and to questioning the merit of my own tenancy agreement with my landlord. I therefore always enjoy and appreciate the conservations we have in my land law seminars.

How would you describe your fellow students?
Most of the students here are supportive, eager to learn and diverse. Being surrounded by these people can be truly inspiring and make you enthusiastic about learning.

What are your subject facilities like?
The subject facilities for law are awesome. We have a modern mooting chamber and a law clinic situated in the Wigoder Law Building. I’ve watched lots of practice mooting sessions, performed by students, in the mooting chamber as well as acted as one of the members of the jury which was very fun.

Have you used the University’s Careers and Employability Service?
Yes, the University’s Careers and Employability Service was very helpful for me in gaining new insights and guidance for my legal career.

I used the employability points scheme which allows you to redeem points for internships, work experience etc. This encouraged me to attend helpful workshops and events relating to commercial awareness, tips on writing a CV/cover letter or listening to talks from renowned professors, and even previous members of the Supreme Court. This made me more confident and prepared to start applying for vacation schemes with law firms and getting though the application process.

I found a summer job as an ‘activity leader’ at Embassy Summer through this service which was an invigorating experience. It provided me with transferrable skills that I could talk about on my job applications.

Are you a student rep/ambassador?
I am a LSSJ student ambassador for Kent Law School which is such a fun, ever-changing and rewarding role. It enables you to talk to different kinds of people about our courses and the university, and to help out at various events such as the division support team fairs, open days or induction days. This role is especially great because not one day is the same, and I’ve been able to make lots of friends along the way.

Any advice to somebody thinking of coming to Kent?
There are always lots of things to do here, whether it be the different societies you could join, the academic opportunities or the places to visit in Canterbury. Don’t be scared to get involved and try to look at everything with an open mind –there is nothing more fulfilling than getting out of your comfort zone!

Describe Kent in 3 words
Sunsets, Friendly and Refreshing

Where are the top 3 places to visit in Canterbury and where would you recommend for a day out?
My top three places are Canterbury Cathedral, Westgate Gardens and the city centre, which are all located close together. These are great places to admire the ancient architecture, the homey ambience and the beautiful nature.

How affordable is it to live in Canterbury and do you have a part-time job?
I find renting in Canterbury much cheaper than renting in London, which was surprising to me since I live a 5-minute walk away from the city centre. However, I would say that the prices in terms of day-to-day living such as for food, daily necessities and clothes are closely comparable to London prices.

I do not have a part-time job but I know many of my peers who do. They say that it was quite easy to find a job in the city centre since the university usually posts job vacancies, and many stores frequently look for replacements. Just have your CV ready!