“I wanted to broaden my legal perspective and experience law in a global context. Living in Europe has helped me better understand how international institutions function and how different countries approach shared challenges like trade, regulation and human rights,” reflected Reema Rao, a law student currently studying abroad at the Universidad Pontificia Comillas in Madrid, Spain.
Rao is spending the semester at Universidad Pontificia Comillas through The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law’s semester exchange program. In the classroom, she is taking courses in international, European Union and business law in hopes to gain an understanding of how legal systems operate across borders, particularly within the European Union.
“This experience has strengthened my interest in litigation and regulatory work by giving me a comparative perspective on how legal frameworks evolve across jurisdictions. I hope to bring that global awareness into my practice. I have also appreciated the chance to further develop my Spanish language skills and hope to return to the United States with a strong proficiency in the language,” said Rao.
Outside of taking classes, Rao attended La Tomatina, the biggest food fight in the world and an annual festival in Buñol, Spain. She also gets to explore cultural sites in Madrid and visit surrounding cities and countries.
“I have learned that I am able to adapt quickly and genuinely enjoy stepping outside my comfort zone. Navigating a new country, language and academic system has taught me to be more flexible, independent and confident in unfamiliar environments. I have also realized that while abroad, strong connections are formed quickly and those relationships make the experience even more meaningful,” she noted.