Testimonials

James Bonat, Nigeria, specialisation Maritime Law:

As a graduate student of the 2007/2008 academic year, it suffices to briefly say that I am fortunate to have been taught by some of the best professors and experts in the field of maritime law. All the lectures were as much theoretical as they were practical, giving students the opportunity of putting theory into practice through series of workshops on salvage, general average and collision, aimed at inculcating and building analytical skills. Furthermore, students are treated to series of guest lectures from judges, legal practitioners and renowned experts on recent issues on ship finance, ship mortgage, port state control and places of refuge; in addition to visits to the Maritime Museum, the port Authority and Maritime London. Importantly, students are taught to approach legal issues from an international or comparative perspective, thereby ensuring knowledge of international rules and conventions.

I couldn’t have studied anything else!

Saif Ahmed Khan, India, specialisation Corporate Law:

I was born and raised in Bhopal, Central India where I completed my LL.B and postgraduate studies in Human Resource Management. After that I moved to Mumbai because of better career prospects. Mumbai is one of the biggest cities in India and also known as the financial capital of the subcontinent. The standard of legal practice in Mumbai is very high in comparison to other cities of India. I started my legal profession at Bombay High Court in Mumbai, by joining a Law firm based in Mumbai, which has eight other branches in different commercial cities of India, including New Delhi, the Capital City of India.

Before I decided to go to Rotterdam I was doing rather well in my legal profession. I was handling cases for multinationals (like ABN, Philips, Royal Dutch Shell etc), banks and financial institutions pertaining to arbitration and corporate issues. Dealing with corporate clients I realized that I was lacking a technical background in corporate law. This was obstructing my growth career wise. It motivated me to pursue a Master's in the field of Business and Corporate Law.

To be honest, I was quite interested to study in UK because of the common law system and very reputed and famous Universities like Cambridge, Oxford and Glasgow. I had even secured admission in Glasgow, Scotland. But in December 2006 I visited Netherlands for holidays and I found it very beautiful, advanced and sophisticated. It made me think about studying in The Netherlands. I started my search for prestigious Universities in The Netherlands.

What made me choose Erasmus University was the specific nature of the international Business, Corporate and Maritime Law programme. An even more important reason for me was my Programme Director Prof. Dr. Filip De Ly's c.v. He has a vast experience in International Arbitration as well as a kind of charisma and power to attract people. One thing was bothering me and that was the Dutch language, but after having contacted the departments I came to know that the language is not an issue here, because most of the Universities have courses in English and the people in The Netherlands can also speak good English.

And then there is the city. Rotterdam is not only the gateway to Europe but also a great place to be as a student. The campus of the University is really nice. Its buildings, library and lawns are magnificent. Students enjoy being together on the campus. There is a free and open atmosphere. The university is also a home to Europe's largest student association, Star Study Association and ELSA Rotterdam has great culture too. Especially the nightlife in Rotterdam is superb. Furthermore, I like its great architecture and its skyline. Erasmus bridge, Willem's bridge, Euro mast and the Cube houses built by architect Piet Blom are not to be missed. It is a unique city. The port of Rotterdam is the largest in Europe and was the world's busiest from 1962 to 2004, until it was overtaken by Shanghai. Rotterdam has many well-known museums like the Boijmans van Beuningen Museum, the Nai (Netherlands architecture institute), and many more.

These are but a few reasons why I am here.

Marta Borrat I Frigola, Spain, Business, Corporate and Maritime Law (Spain):

In July 1999 I received my law school diploma from the University of Girona, Catalunya, Spain. Before I would be confronted with the question “and now what?” I chose to enroll in the business and trade law (now Business, Corporate and Maritime Law) organized by Erasmus University Rotterdam. I wanted to understand law at another level. Being in an international environment with lawyers of other countries would help me contrast my law system against others and also my way at looking at legal problems.

This LLM did not only allow me to meet brilliant lawyers of other countries, a bunch of good friends and satisfy my expectations; it also became my ticket to my first job. I started as a paralegal at the law firm Simmons & Simmons. While assisting in international arbitrations, I qualified as a Dutch lawyer. In the meantime I started to learn more about privacy law. It was more a hobby than anything else, but after the publication of a few articles and assisting a number of clients on data protection, I saw that it was an interesting and yet unknown area of law that needed to be further explored.

In 2006 I left Simmons & Simmons to practice privacy law in house at ABNAMRO Bank. Currently I am fully dedicated to data protection. Personal data have become a new trade. I work where I always dreamed of working: in an international environment where complicated legal issues need to be solved as practically as possible. It all started with sending my application forms to Rotterdam, July 1999.

Annmarie Mavenjina Nkelame, Uganda, specialisation Business Transactions:

I have had a wonderful experience at Erasmus University Rotterdam. I highly value the time I have spent studying the LL.M programme on Business and Trade Law. There is a lot I have learnt within a very short time. The Professors are very competent in various areas of business law. The staff at the University is always willing to help. The University is also well equipped with technology, materials and facilities to enhance studies.

I always wanted to study in a reputable University and thanks to the Netherlands Fellowship Programme and Erasmus University Rotterdam I have achieved my goal.

This programme is up-to-date with contemporary International standards on legal education. Lawyers who pursue this programme are equipped with legal skills to critically analyze global legal business issues from a practical perspective.

I highly encourage lawyers considering pursing an LLM in Business, Corporate and Maritime Law to enroll at Erasmus School of law. It is a worthwhile decision and a rational choice.

Fritz Edward Siregar, Indonesia, Business and Trade Law (Business, Corporate and Maritime Law):

"Learn about life, and you will live" Di Erasmus School of Law, dengan bahan ajar yang sangat practical dan disesuaikan dengan perkembangan, saya menyadari bahwa legal concept yang saya miliki sangat jauh berbeda dengan rekan mahasiswa dari negara lain. Hal itu memperluas cakrawala saya untuk melihat satu persoalan, tidak lagi dari satu perspective. Sebagai mahasiswa, pengalaman hidup dalam international community is priceless. Salahsatu keputusan terbaik yang pernah saya lakukan untuk memiliki sekolah di EUR.

Raine Pulkkinen (Finland), Corporate Law:

Talent and ambition unite at Erasmus University Rotterdam. The LL.M. Business and Trade Law is a meeting-point for like-minded professionals from around the world. My peers are established lawyers, functioning as legislatures, holding diplomatic posts and managing law firms. We are encouraged to exchange ideas and contribute, which results in profound and fruitful discussions that sometimes persist even after the lectures. Needless to say, the academic strength and encouragement of the University’s world-renowned lecturers is unmatched. Rotterdam scholars stand out due to their hands-on experience. Lecturers hold prestigious posts in the private sector, and occupy honorary positions on Boards and Committees in their respective fields of interest. One professor, for example, invited the class to his law firm to discuss how they had structured the KLM-Air France merger. Such first-class instruction ensures that Rotterdam Business, Corporate and Maritime Law programme is second to none.