[Editor’s Note: The following is a Q&A with student Jillian Cash sharing her study abroad program experience at the University of Madrid, Spain, in the 2022-23 school year.]
How did the study abroad program affect your career trajectory?
In the 2022-23 school year, I pursued a Master of International and European Business Law (MIEBL, LLM) at the University Pontificia Comillas in Madrid, Spain. This was offered through my home university, Stetson University College of Law. I studied International Business and Spanish in college at Bryant University, which was an excellent foundation for an international career. This experience in Spain solidified my desire to work with global counterparts in international settings.
After my year abroad, I was a summer associate at Buchanan, Ingersoll, and Rooney. Sitting in the Tampa Office, I did significant work in both the Corporate and Immigration practice groups. I loved the immigration work, as I helped people from all over the world realize their dreams of living and working in the United States. The cultural expertise I developed by living abroad helped me to understand the nuances of working with global clients. Living in a different country and going through immigration challenges myself in Spain also opened my eyes to some struggles that immigrants face, building my empathy. I also worked on corporate transactional projects at the firm. Corporate law can easily lend itself to international transactions and serving clients on a global scale. I will be an associate at Buchanan after I graduate from law school and am eager to see the direction my career takes.
Why did you choose to participate in your school’s study abroad program?
When I moved to Florida to attend Stetson Law, I had no plans of spending a year in Spain. My partner wanted to pursue a Master in Sustainable Development at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. I am grateful that he chose Scotland because I likely would not have done the MIEBL program in Madrid. The program was two semesters in Spain and earned me an LL.M for the same price I would pay if I remained at Stetson Law. The program focused on international business law, which was a helpful specialization for my career goals. Further, part of the program was a weeklong visit to Brussels to visit EU government institutions. This sounded like an incredible immersion, where I could build my Spanish language skills, broaden my understanding of international business law and take some unforgettable trips around Europe.
Did you choose your law school specifically because of their study abroad program? If so, what drew you to that school/ program?
I did not go to Stetson Law because of its study abroad programs, nor did I plan to study abroad in law school as I previously studied in Spain during my undergraduate degree. I chose Stetson Law because it was a well-respected law school and had an amazing reputation in the Tampa Bay, Florida, area. Years before, I visited St. Petersburg, Florida, on a beach vacation with my family. I fell in love with the town and could easily see myself living a happy, personal and professional life there. St. Petersburg is an inclusive, welcoming place and I loved its energy. The more I learned about Stetson Law and its excellent advocacy programs, I felt it would be a fantastic place to spend the next few years and launch my legal career.
Tell me a little about your experience. Where did you go? What was the experience like? Did you enjoy yourself? What skills did you learn that you were about to apply to your career?
I studied in Madrid, Spain, for this program. Living in the center of Madrid, I was within walking distance of school, restaurants, shops and entertainment. Madrid is a fantastic city that is sunny year-round, has an affordable cost of living and a welcoming culture.
During my time in Spain there was ample opportunity for travel. Though students had class for nearly five hours a day, we made the most of the weekends and extended breaks. During my time in Europe, I visited several parts of Spain, France, England, Scotland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, Switzerland, Portugal and Denmark. The amazing part, even with all the travel and fun, was the total cost of living for the year, which was less than rent and standard living expenses in Florida. It opened my eyes to the incredible quality of life and high standards of living in many parts of Europe.
This experience gave me countless skills for career development. I learned how to speak Spanish more confidently, which can be used in business settings. I developed interpersonal skills with people from different countries, learning how to negotiate and advocate while considering cultural nuances. With the chaos of travel, immigration and moving to a new country, I learned how to problem-solve efficiently. The capstone of the program was writing a master’s thesis: examining the impact of Intellectual Property Rights on spreading sustainable technology to developing countries. Collaborating with renowned intellectual property scholars, I built my knowledge and writing skills in this developing area of law.
Overall, my year in Madrid was amazing. I met friends to last a lifetime and hope to spend more time in Spain. I would recommend studying abroad during law school to anyone who is able; it may expand your horizons and career goals in ways you never imagined.
