Voices from Abroad: Emanuele Spagnoletti Zeuli

Shanghai (China), Campus Abroad, Fudan University
Alicante (Spain), Transatlantic IP Summer Academy, Alicante University
Singapore (Singapore), Exchange Program, National University of Singapore

Emanuele in Kuala Lumpur

Who are you?
I am a law student.

Do you like to travel and live surrounded by different people and cultures?
Yes I do.

Have you ever been abroad for your studies?
Yes I have.

But is it possible and convenient for law students to go abroad? Aren't they "forced" to study their national law?
These last two questions deserve a little more attention. Law is kind of different from business or any other type of degree. The overwhelming majority of the subjects studied are linked to the country where the degree is held. We could say that law degrees are "territorial." This is only partially true in a University such as Università Bocconi. The spirit of the Law degree offered from this university is inherently global. Here the focus on international experiences and foreign languages is much more intense than at other universities. Such philosophy takes its move from the most common destination for law students after graduation: national and international law firms. In the legal market, such entities offer services that are suited to the needs of clients. These needs are necessarily influenced by the process that is leading to the creation of a globalized economy. Law firms are organized in order to be able to face these new challenges. To do so, open-minded law graduates are welcomed and needed!

Downtown Singapore

So what is the point of studying law abroad?
Studying law abroad is a unique opportunity for us all. It gave me (and I hope it will be the same for you, Reader) the chance to open my mind to new and different influences, teaching methods and doctrinal positions. The most important thing is that it forced me to think about new and different positions, to accept them when these were better than mine, to respect them when I was not able to convince my "opponent" about the goodness of my arguments. The Transatlantic IP Summer Academy in Alicante was essential in the sense that it gave me the first chance to experience such an approach.

Can Asia be an interesting destination?
I love Asia. I started my (I hope longstanding) relationship with the Eastern part of the world by going to Shanghai. I was there for the Campus Abroad program with 39 other Bocconi students. It gave me a first taste of a world that is so different from ours and the unique opportunity to learn something about a country that is now on everybody's lips and in every newspaper. Get the taste, chase the rest. Last year I was researching the new destinations offered for the law exchange program when I discovered Singapore and its National University. I have just finished my exchange there. It has been an incredible and exciting experience. The National University of Singapore is an excellent university with a very international permanent faculty and

Angkor, Cambodia

efficient services. Among others, it is possible to take a number of very interesting courses on different Asian jurisdictions. Coming to the city. Singapore is a very safe, multiethnic and even stylish city. Some people refer to it as "Asia for beginners." This definition is not far from the truth. It offers many of the comforts we are used to but also the unique chance to feel the speed at which Asia is moving. Singapore is the belly button of Southeast Asia both metaphorically and geographically. From there you'll have the chance to travel low cost to many amazing destinations such as Malaysia (KL and a number of interesting sunny islands), Indonesia (it's also where BALI is), Thailand and its amazing white sands and bustling cities, Cambodia and its temples and Laos with its chilling atmosphere.

Do you like Asian food?
Yes I do.

If your answers somehow match mine, well... get ready to leave!!