After my Bachelor's, I knew that I was really interested in EU and international law and that I wanted to study in a two-year Master's programme. I applied to the University of Helsinki because Global Governance Law fit perfectly with my Bachelor studies in Political Science and International Law, and because I always wanted to live in the Nordics. The international ambitions of the degree programme and the welcoming atmosphere, including the lecturers and professors, were very important to me – and proved their relevance during my studies.
What stood out to me the most was the variety of areas the courses cover. I believe this allows everyone to find an area that they are particularly interested in and into which they want to delve deeper into in their Master's thesis. Moreover, I like the flexibility the programme gives you, and the research-based approach. Especially in the realm of international law it is extremely important to develop good argumentative skills not just orally, but also in writing.
Firstly, the international atmosphere in the programme is very unique. It gives a new perspective to many areas that we study, and creates an opportunity for very fruitful classroom discussions. Because so many of us did our Bachelor degrees in different countries, the level of knowledge is not always the same, but allows us to help each other and spend time together also outside the classroom.
I did my internship at the European Court of Auditors in Luxembourg for 5 months. It was an incredible experience for me, allowing me to really use my academic knowledge hands-on at the EU institution. Me and my team conducted a Review on the EU Commission's Rule of Law Report. This meant that I was concerned with a very political area of the Court's work. I was entrusted with a lot of responsibility by my co-workers, and I know it allowed me to grow a lot professionally and personally. I would really recommend it warmly to anyone who is considering doing a traineeship with one of the EU institutions or agencies.
I am writing my thesis on the Recovery and Resilience Facility of the EU, which was created as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. I will focus on the transparency framework and how it differs from other financial tools of the current MFF. Moreover, I will specifically focus on Italy in my analysis.
I chose this topic with my supervisor, first because it is an extremely novel instrument, thus giving me the chance to really contribute to the policy discussion, and second, it's an exciting opportunity for me to look at the law of the EU from an economic/financial POV. Before in my work and studies I focused a lot on the rule of law - connecting it with transparency now will be very interesting to delve deeper into.
I’m planning to graduate in the Spring of 2024. Having worked in Luxembourg for 6 months already and having an international audit background, I have been recruited by EY Luxembourg. Although my main area of interest is international organizations and intergovernmental fora, I am extremely grateful to gain more experience at the big four, also because I believe I will benefit a lot from the industry insight before eventually going into the public sector. I’m also very confident that my degree in Global Governance Law is preparing me very well for this role.
To go into it very open-minded, and you’ll be able to meet great students throughout your studies here. Be prepared to write a lot, and have fewer written or oral exams – that is something a lot of us, especially those who studied abroad were not fully prepared for, I think. Overall, just enjoy your time here, study well but also enjoy Helsinki and the surrounding areas, it will all go way faster than you expect!
I chose to study Global Governance Law because of my passion for addressing global challenges, especially in the field of international labour law. In today’s globalized world, understanding international legal frameworks is vital. The dynamic nature of global governance and its impact on issues like climate change and human rights fascinate me. This field provides an opportunity to engage with diverse perspectives and navigate complex legal systems critically, ultimately working towards fair and effective global governance.
At the University of Helsinki, an egalitarian culture prevails, which is really valuable for a collaborative learning environment where the aim to for every voice to be valued. The seamless interaction between students and professors promotes a sense of equality, encouraging meaningful discussions. The research environment offers many opportunities for engagement in cutting-edge projects and contributes to innovative advancements. This inclusive character enhances academic pursuits and creates a vibrant community dedicated to knowledge. Notably, the program ensures a stress-free environment for students working on assignments, emphasizing mutual respect and shared learning goals. This positive atmosphere not only improves work quality but also promotes a healthy work-life balance, enriching the overall learning experience at the UH.
In my opinion, an international master's program provides a transformative educational experience, leading to cultural diversity and a global perspective. The diverse student backgrounds creates networking opportunities, opening doors to international careers. Exposure to various perspectives broadens horizons and enriches problem-solving skills. Language proficiency improves through the course of time, enhancing real-world communication skills. Collaborating on international research projects expands academic horizons. On top of that, living abroad promotes personal growth, independence, and resilience. Cultural adaptability becomes a valuable skill. Innovative teaching methods encourage critical thinking, and connections with international peers establish a global alumni network for future collaborations and professional opportunities.
I completed my internship at the Erik Castrén Institute, serving as a research assistant. This experience exposed me to legal research, advancing my analytical skills and deepening my understanding of international law. Additionally, I undertook an HR traineeship within the university's HR department, gaining valuable insights into organizational dynamics and international HR matters. Both roles allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings, developing an understanding of law and human resources. The diverse experiences significantly contributed to my professional development, enhancing my research capabilities and providing a real-world perspective on the intersection of legal theory and organizational management.
My Master's thesis delves into the realm of International Labour Law, exploring the evolving dynamics of workers' rights in our globalized world. Motivated by a belief in the crucial need for heightened attention to workers, my research examines the impact of globalization on labor standards, social justice, and the role of international legal frameworks in safeguarding the rights of workers. I chose this topic as it supports my commitment to addressing the challenges arising from the interconnectedness of economies and the imperative to ensure fair and equitable treatment for workers on an international scale. I hope that my research can contribute to the ongoing discourse on developing a more just and inclusive global labor environment.
I am set to start a part-time role as a research assistant at the Erik Castrén Institute. The connection to this position evolved organically through my prior internship experience at the institute. During my internship, I actively built networks, establishing valuable connections with professionals in the field. These connections played a pivotal role in learning about the part-time research assistant opportunity. The transition from intern to research assistant underscores the significance of networking in academia in Finland and the tangible benefits of cultivating professional relationships. I am excited to contribute to ongoing research initiatives and further expand my expertise in the dynamic field of international law.
As I start my role as a part-time research assistant at the Erik Castrén Institute, my ongoing thesis writing in International Labour Law becomes integral to my work. The immersion in thesis research enhances my ability to critically analyze legal concepts and apply theoretical insights to practical scenarios, directly benefiting my contributions to the institute's projects. I believe that the relationship between my thesis work and research responsibilities enables me to gain the latest academic insights, ensuring that my contributions are not only informed by theoretical knowledge but also by the practical considerations vital to the field of international law.
Upon graduation, my immediate plan is to apply for a Ph.D. position at the university. Motivated by a passion for advancing knowledge in the field of International Labour Law, pursuing a Ph.D. represents a natural progression in my academic journey. This endeavor aligns with my aspirations to contribute meaningfully to research, delve deeper into the complexities of global labor issues, and engage in scholarly discourse. A Ph.D. offers the opportunity to make substantial contributions to the academic community while further refining my expertise.
My advice to prospective GGL students is to enter the program with a clear passion and a potential research topic in mind. Having a focused area of interest will not only guide your coursework but also enhance the relevance and impact of your studies. Delve into the program with a curiosity for a specific aspect of global governance, whether it's environmental law, human rights, or international trade. This focused approach will help you tailor your studies, make the most of resources, and lay the groundwork for meaningful contributions in your chosen field. Passion and a defined topic will fuel your academic journey and set the stage for a rewarding and impactful experience in the GGL program.
I wanted to study law, but in a way that leverages my previous studies and experiences. I was looking for a degree that would also lead me to work in international affairs. Studying Global Governance Law offered the opportunity to utilize my bachelor’s in economics, politics, and religion to expand my understanding of how governance operates via the vast network of actors in present times. I was interested in the approach of this program, which defines law in a broader manner and does not shy away from incorporating political considerations when understanding how legal mechanisms function. This programme has allowed me to expand my toolkit to now include legal understanding and reasoning.
First and foremost are the relationships I have made with my fellow students as well as memories created in Finland. Moving abroad inevitably presents challenges, but the experience of relocating to another continent has been formative for me. Finland is a unique place and I can now speak about witnessing some major events such as joining NATO, electing a new government, and Käärijä taking center stage at Eurovision! Two things that stand out about studying at the University is the emphasis on self-study as well as the ability to take any course you want with no limit.
Placing yourself in an international environment brings so many benefits in addition to the amazing friendships you can develop with people from all around the world. You are exposed to different ways to view issues, and your worldview truly expands if you take the time to get to understand your fellow classmates. Studying law is particularly interesting in an international atmosphere as students are able to bring in different notions of jurisprudence and legal logic into the classroom.
I completed an internship with the U.S. Department of State, in Washington D.C., in the fall term of my second year. My experience was wonderful and fundamental to my career development. I was fortunate to work on United Nations affairs and witness how multilateralism functions beyond the study of it in the classroom. I was able to leverage my knowledge gained from Global Governance Law in a very meaningful way at the State Department. I worked with amazing leaders and colleagues who were well-versed in international affairs and issues. I definitely recommend people try their hand in diplomacy or foreign affairs – it complements our studies in Global Governance Law very well!
I am in the midst of my thesis as I write about my time in Helsinki, so it is an ongoing work-in-progress! I am currently reviewing how accountability mechanisms have developed and can be enhanced within international organizations, particularly allowing for public individual recourse. International organizations have always been an interest of mine so I wanted to dig deeper to understand their place within the international legal order. The legal theory behind international organizations is continuing to be discussed among scholars, so I wanted to situate myself in that conversation. The Faculty here also is very knowledgeable about the political-legal questions plaguing international organizations, so I had no shortage of help for my thesis.
During my first year, I worked as a management consultant for a few months. I found this company via JobTeaser, the career platform used by the University of Helsinki. After several rounds of interviews, I was launched into a project to assist a Finnish company on competition and product research. Jobs searching in Finland has its own challenges, so determination will take you far when you search for opportunities here.
My internship and work experience during my studies have given me practical experiences that I can leverage as I begin to search for jobs after graduation. Working in the business sector in a new country has equipped me to understand the complexities of navigating foreign markets and learning a different business culture. Taking that experience and complementing it with an internship in foreign affairs allowed me to experience how business, international law, and foreign policy are so interconnected. I am pleased that this programme enables us to take on opportunities like this!
After I graduate, I want to work in foreign affairs or at international organizations. I am in the process of taking the tests to join the U.S. Foreign Service, as well as sending out my applications to other entities like development banks, think tanks, and international organizations across Europe and the United States. Ultimately, I want a career in which I apply my academic knowledge alongside my skillset developed by living abroad, in a meaningful way, to generate a global impact.
My advice to prospective students is to not let the challenges of moving abroad deter you from taking this opportunity to study in Finland. I would also mention to not let the term “law” scare you into thinking you may not be qualified for this programme. If you have a working understanding of how law operates and a willingness to learn, you are well equipped for this programme. I took some legal courses such as U.S. constitutional law and comparative government which helped prepare me for this programme, but did not have an LLB. Oh, and when you do start here, be prepared to write! Be sure to find time to explore Finland and Europe as well.
After graduating from undergraduate law studies in the UK, I wished to return to Finland for my Master studies. The Global Governance Law-programme had just launched, and the international overlook and non-doctrinal approach to law seemed like a perfect fit for me. Studying law and governance that is applicable across borders was a great opportunity to not only jump from one legal system to another, but also to build from my previous studies.
Students are given a lot of freedom to dig deeper into the areas that interest them. That became evident in multiple courses where the essay topics were freely chosen by the students, within the limits of the course topic. For example, I was able to write about law and technology in almost every course. Of course, the freedom came with the ‘cost’ of independence. We were challenged and trusted to ensure the execution of independent work, in the form of reading and research alike, while support was available if needed. I felt that this was very fitting for Master-level studies.
During the first year I completed an internship as a research assistant in the University of Helsinki Erik Castrén Institute. I’ve been interested in academia for some time, and the low threshold opportunity to see the work that academics do more closely was an eye-opening experience. While it ensured that academia is the way to go for me, at the same it time helped with my studies. Master’s studies are not that far away from a full time research job if tackled headfirst.
I wrote about implications of technological design on access to documents in the European Commission. The idea came partly from my internship in ECI, where I was involved in research about access to EU institution documents. My interest towards the regulatory abilities of technology was combined with a new fascination with the execution of transparency and access to documents. While at first glance access to documents may seem like a dry subject, it really is fascinating to see how an age-old democratic principle becomes intertwined with political and economic interests.
I’m currently employed by the University of Helsinki as a PhD researcher in the Legal Tech Lab. Before I started my PhD, I worked as a research assistant in the ECI and the Legal Tech Lab for about three years altogether. Since this experience, I knew I wanted to pursue an academic career, and now I am in my first year of PhD research in a great research community. I have taken the topics that interest me to the next level, and I’m currently researching the infrastructural change of the state to digital and the legal effects of the employed technology. Becoming acquainted with the research community in Helsinki has been very rewarding, and the people are very nice and supportive.
For me, especially the theoretical foundations from my GGL degree have been great. I noticed my interests early on in my Master’s studies, which allowed me to concentrate on the issues that interest me most within each course topic. The ability to choose essay topics so freely was a great benefit to start building knowledge early on.
Discard expectations and come to your studies with an open mind. Law can be studied in other ways than just doctrinally. Listen to yourself and try to start unraveling what you are interested in. The programme will offer many topics and viewpoints, and you will learn a lot. If everything interests you, see which articles or book chapters are the ones that you just cannot stop reading, or which conversations are the ones that raise the most interest in you. By starting to recognize your own interests, you will be able to get the most out of the studies.
I did my Bachelor’s degree in EU law and I wanted to find a degree in which I could deepen my knowledge of EU law and also take courses on international law. GGL was the perfect combination of these two as it covered many different topics from both EU and international law. Moreover, I wanted to go abroad at some point of my degree and it was possible to do that during GGL.
My two favourite things about GGL are the comprehensive overview on different legal frameworks and topics and the flexibility of the programme. I was very excited to learn about all the different international law topics, but after my first year I realized that my main interest is EU law. I was able to design my second year according to my interests, which was one of the best things about the degree. In addition to the mandatory courses, I was able to take several optional EU law courses from the faculty of law and do an internship abroad.
I did my first internship in Brussels at the Permanent Representation of Finland to the European Union and there I worked mainly with topics related to the internal market and competition law. It was fascinating to see how the European Union and especially the Council function in reality. Experiencing Brussels and the EU world was honestly a dream come true for me. My second internship was at the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, in which I got to see EU and international affairs from a more national perspective. Both of my internship experiences were amazing as I learned so much about how EU and international matters work in practice.
I wrote my Master’s thesis about the potential effectiveness of Article 102 TFEU and EU Digital Markets Act in regulating digital markets. During my bachelor’s degree I developed an interest towards EU competition law and EU internal market law and during GGL, my interest towards these topics only grew stronger. During my first year of GGL, I took an optional course on EU competition law & digital markets and there I realized quickly that I wanted to write my thesis about the Digital Markets Act.
After I graduated from GGL, I got a job at Nordea, which is one of the biggest banks in Finland and in the Nordics. More specifically, I work at Nordea’s Compliance unit. Most people who work in compliance are lawyers and I work quite a lot with different national and EU legislations, so my educational background in law has helped me remarkably.
I took optional courses already during the first year of GGL and personally, this worked very well for me. During my first year, I took a couple of optional courses that I could use as inspiration for my thesis topic. This made my thesis project in the second year quite easy, since I already knew what I wanted to research in my thesis. But more importantly, my number one advice is to enjoy your studies and student life in Helsinki!
I chose to study Global Governance Law because I found the content of the programme very exciting. It was important for me that I could also choose interdisciplinary courses, especially from the political field. In addition, I had already focused on international and European law during my studies in Germany, and the Global Governance Law-programme allowed me to deepen this knowledge even further. Furthermore, the Global Governance Law-programme, in my opinion, is a very unique programme, as the focus is not only on European law but also on international law, including political aspects.
What stood out for me in the Global Governance Law-programme was the support I received when writing my Master's thesis. I received a lot of guidance from the professors, and we had regular classes with all participants of the programme to give each other feedback. In terms of the University of Helsinki itself, I was very enthusiastic about the student organisations and their events. You experience a lot and get to know many students from other programmes – and of course, as a student from Germany, I was very fascinated by the Finnish haalari culture.
I completed my internship at the European Chemicals Agency in Helsinki. After my internship, I worked there part-time as legal support. As I worked in the area of access to documents, I could see some parallels between my lectures at university and my own work. This showed me that I had chosen the right programme, because I could relate it to my practical working life. My internship also gave me an insight into the institutions of the European Union and how European law is applied in practice. It was a great experience working with colleagues from many different European countries in a multicultural environment.
My Master's thesis was about access to documents and the EU Regulation regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents. I made a critical assessment of three European Union agencies and analysed their handling of access to documents requests and how these agencies contribute to transparency within the EU. I obtained my data through interviews with legal professionals from the European Chemicals Agency, Frontex and the European Medicines Agency and by submitting my own access to documents requests, in particular to the European ombudsman. I chose this topic because I myself worked on access to documents requests at the European Chemicals Agency and with the help of my master thesis I was able to analyse this topic from a different perspective, no longer from the point of view of the EU agency but from the point of view of an EU citizen.
I am currently working as a trainee lawyer for DLA Piper, a law firm that also has an office in Helsinki. I work in the litigation team. I chose to work for DLA Piper as it is a very international law firm with offices all over the world and the work is partly in English. By working for the litigation team, I also get the chance to go to court and assist the lawyers in preparing their court cases. Before my current work, I completed an internship at the European Commission after having a great experience working for the European Chemicals Agency in Helsinki.
Although in my current work I mostly work in the field of German law and not with European law, my GGL studies have taught me how to approach legal issues and how to analyse them, regardless of the law and area of law involved. Through my studies I got familiar with key English legal terms, which makes my current work for an international law firm much easier.
My advice to prospective Global Governance Law students is to enter the programme with an open mind, to take many courses that match your interests and choose essays on topics that fascinate you most – and enjoy the extracurricular activities offered by the student organisations!