Emmi Kuivalainen

Law LLB (2018)

What did you enjoy about your degree programme?

I think the Law LLB programme is unique in the sense that it expects students to not only understand and apply legal concepts but also to consider the practical difficulties in developing a comprehensive legal framework.

Tell us about the award you have received. What does this award mean to you?

The Michael Schmitt Prize in Public International Law is awarded to the two students who achieved the highest overall marks in the module. This particular area of law is notoriously complex and ambiguous which makes receiving this award all the more rewarding as it means I have been able to genuinely understand the concepts.

What has been the highlight of your time at Exeter?

The highlight of my time at Exeter has been completing my dissertation on European asylum policy. It was incredibly gratifying to receive final marks that reflected the time and effort that I placed into crafting my overall argument. 

What will you miss the most about University?

I will miss the ‘homely’ environment that comes with a smaller city and a campus university. Everything I ever needed was always a walking distance away.

What advice would you give to current and future students?

My advice to law students is to not expect to find an answer to a legal problem. In most circumstances, there is no simple answer, and by expecting there to be one, one may often overlook the real issues in play.

What are your plans now that you have graduated?

I will be completing an LLM at the University College of London which is where I hope to narrow down my focus and interests within law.