Building Friendships, Networks and Skills at Masters Level

This blog has been co-written by Graham and The University of Edinburgh. Graham is currently studying LLM in Intellectual Property Law at the University, and is originally from Germany.

Hello, my name is Graham, and I’m currently studying an LLM in Intellectual Property Law at the University of Edinburgh. I grew up in Frankfurt, Germany. I moved to Scotland for my undergraduate degree which I completed at the University of Aberdeen and since then I’ve moved south to Edinburgh.

When I started my Masters, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from the social and professional side of things. What I found was a diverse, international environment that’s been genuinely enriching. In this blog, I’m reflecting on how these interactions have shaped my Masters experience.

Learning from different legal perspectives

Our class is made up of about 25 students from all around the world — India, China and countries across Europe and the Middle East. I knew what it was like to study in a fairly international setting but my Masters has felt even more multicultural. The variety of backgrounds and perspectives have added a whole new dimension to the experience.

Studying with people from all over the world has been one of the most rewarding parts of the course. Everyone brings something different to the table — not just academically, but culturally as well. When we’re discussing topics in class, people often draw on their own legal systems and professional backgrounds. It’s fascinating.

We had a seminar recently on a patent dispute that touched on human rights. One classmate spoke about how similar cases are handled in India and it was completely different from the European approach. Another example came from a student from Thailand, who described a process used to extract medicine from plants — something that had once been a trade secret but is now part of the public domain under the right to science. These kinds of insights don’t show up in the assigned reading, but they make the discussions so much richer.

Friendships that go beyond the classroom

One of the best things about the course has been the friendships I’ve built. I’m the youngest student in the group and a lot of my classmates already have experience in the legal field or have worked in related industries. It’s been great to learn from their experiences, but it’s also just been great getting to know them as people.

A good example is a classmate from Lebanon, who I’ve become close friends with. He runs a legal publishing firm and has a really interesting background. I’m planning a trip to Lebanon to visit him this August — something I never imagined when I first joined the course.

A strong sense of community

Despite the diversity of the group, there’s a strong sense of shared purpose. We’re all here to learn and that creates a supportive environment inside and outside class.

Seminars themselves are structured around this idea of open discussion. We get a course guide a week in advance, complete the essential readings and come prepared to explore the topic in depth. The lecturer usually kicks things off with a short presentation and then it becomes a group discussion. When everyone’s engaged, it really clicks — and that’s when the learning happens.

Networking that feels natural

Although I didn’t set out thinking about networking, it’s become a natural part of the experience. Just by being in this environment, I’ve expanded my international network in a way that I’m sure will be helpful in the future. Everyone’s on their own path but we’re all moving in similar directions. And, it’s great to know I now have connections around the world in the legal field.

More than a qualification

Looking back, one of the things I’ve valued most is the mix of people I’ve met and what I’ve learned from them. The international nature of the course has made the classroom discussions richer, and while I’ve certainly learned a huge amount about intellectual property law, I’ve also gained new perspectives, built friendships and formed connections that I know will last beyond this year.

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