I had the fortune of discovering QUB and its Juris Doctor program early on in my undergraduate studies at the University of British Columbia. The doctoral nature of the program, opportunities for furthering research, and small cohort, were just some of the unique aspects that perfectly balanced my professional goal of combining practice with academia.

As I finish my first year, I am thrilled to have made QUB my top choice. I have developed many close friendships with both peers and professors. The intensiveness of the program has equipped our class with in-depth legal knowledge and critical-thinking training.

JD Students Abena Aduse-Poku and Doreen Aboagyewaa Awuah won the Law Society of Northern Ireland Client Consultation Competition 2018.  They felt very honoured to represent QUB and Northern Ireland in Maastricht at the competition. This was certainly a wonderful opportunity to showcase the JD programme to the world and their fellow competitors.

Looking back over the past years, I am genuinely amazed at the amount of opportunities and experiences that I have had thanks to the Juris Doctor programmes at Queen's.  This has all been made possible, and supported significantly by the excellent professors and support staff within the JD programme. While the amount of work is substantial, and we are held to a high academic standard - that is to be expected of a doctorate programme.

There were incredible opportunities available through Queen’s JD along with the support of the key staff members at the School of Law.  Outside of my course work, I was able to participate in various extra-curricular activities: the Belfast Model United Nations Conference; participating in Maynooth University's International Negotiations Competition as a member of the QUB Alternative Dispute Resolution Society and the UK chapter of the European Law Students' Association. I also became an active member of ‘Lean In’ Belfast Chapter, which connects me with local professionals who continuously encourage me to “lean in” to my ambitions.

Since coming to QUB, I have found the learning environment and student community thriving. Everyone is so kind and friendly, and there is a real sense of support for students. The professors and lecturers are always available and you know that you have someone to turn to for help.

We are constantly given opportunities to participate in activities locally and internationally. In my first year, I started the QUB Alternative Dispute Resolution Society along with fellow JD students, and the society is still strong today. We have represented the law school on many competitions, winning first place in Athens INADR 2016. This degree is international in nature so it has prepared me for the bar course whether here or overseas.

I applied for the JD at Queen's University Belfast because I wanted to pursue international law and study law internationally. Belfast presented a fascinating landscape to study law, especially human rights law

After completing the three year qualifying law degree, I was able to take the New York Bar exams after I graduated.  Studying law at Queen's gave me the tools I needed to pass the bar. The core modules taught me common law concepts that translate across jurisdictions, and the focus on legal writing and analysis has provided me with skills for the bar and future legal practice.