Meet Tabea, a third-year Dual Degree student pursuing a Laws and International Relations degree at the Segovia campus. She is from Basel, Switzerland. Learn more about her experience at IE Unviersity and her internship in her interview for Faces of IEU:
About Her
What are your hobbies and interests?
My hobbies and interests include scuba diving, photography, football and playing the piano.
Why did you choose IEU?
I chose IEU because I was looking for something specific, which I didn’t find in any other university. None offered an international, comparative law program with a hands-on experience the way IE does, along with a degree in International Relations. Furthermore, moving to Spain was an opportunity for me to learn Spanish and use it every day.
What do you want to do after graduation?
I am still undecided as to what I’d like to do after graduation. What I like about the degree I’ve chosen at IE is that it opens many doors for you. Preferably, I would like to go into diplomacy.
About her experience at IEU
What’s the most valuable aspect of IEU for you?
One of the most valuable aspects of IEU for me is the international environment. It allows us to come into contact with people from all over the world. Not only that, but it directly enriches our classes through the exchange of different thoughts and opinions. While I have always grown up in an international environment, I think that what IEU offers in this sense is extremely valuable.
How has IEU’s comparative law methodology shaped your perspective on the legal world?
The world is becoming increasingly globalized and therefore I think it is essential for us students to become familiar with this. I believe that having the chance to study international, comparative and European law gives us a better understanding of how different countries function. My perspective of the legal world has become more thorough, as I can now better comprehend the complex systems in place. The perspective I now have has allowed me to easily adjust and work within any necessary framework.
Are you a member of any clubs at IEU? If so, which ones?
I am an active member of the Law Society and the women’s soccer team. I personally founded the women’s soccer team in Segovia this past September and have been acting as the captain ever since.
About her professional experience
Please tell us about your internship.
I worked as a legal intern at Groner Rechtsanwälte, in Zurich, Switzerland for one month during the summer of 2016. This involved attending meetings with clients, going to court, writing pleas and conventions, etc.
What did you learn about the legal sector whilst working as an intern?
While working as a legal intern I learned that, whilst the legal sector is constantly changing, it is also quite repetitive once you have decided to focus on one area of law. In addition, while Switzerland is not in the EU, the legal sector has provided a general framework for all countries, with certain procedural differences for instance. While the sector has its mechanisms, there are still loopholes to be found, preventing all parties from truly receiving a fair judgement. In other words, the legal sector may provide for the majority, yet at times it lacks better frameworks for the minority.
How did IEU prepare you for the challenges involved in this internship?
Before commencing my internship I was worried, as I had never come into touch with Swiss law in the same way I had with EU or US law. IEU does not generally teach Swiss law, but I think that because IEU provides this international and comparative approach, it was relatively easy for me to adjust and do well during my internship.