As a student of ‘Law with a Year Abroad in English’, the Law School provided me with opportunities that followed me throughout the world. Initially, I began my third year at the University of Hong Kong (HKU). Going to Hong Kong, and HKU more broadly, was one of the best things that I have ever done – academically and socially speaking. However, unfortunately my time there was curtailed as the Protest Movement intensified. Gutted was an understatement. Nevertheless, I was thankful for what came my way next: Australia! Unfortunately, after just a month, my time there was cut short by the pandemic before teaching properly got underway. It was weird to say the least. I had been looking forward to my year abroad ever since I commenced my degree, but I didn't even get the opportunity to see through an entire semester. I could never have foreseen how it would eventually play out.

Yet in spite of everything, I found myself constantly being thankful for all that I got to experience in the time I had. Few individuals can say that they were able to witness historic developments in Hong Kong. Similarly, few individuals would have the opportunity to live in two destinations and forge lasting friendships throughout the globe.

For many students, your time and future plans will no doubt have turned upside down as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In many ways, incoming exchange students and current finalists were the worst affected. However, and with that being said, often there is a positive that presents itself in most – but not all – situations. Whenever possible, you should always endeavour to find that positive. It might just show that things aren’t as bad as they might have initially seemed.

Joe Hing, Law with Study Abroad in English.