by Anichem Prema Maninilavan

Highlights of my experience

My experience in Vietnam was just incredible! I can’t quite find the words to describe my time there, it’s two months that I will never forget and always talk about! I had some crazy experiences in Vietnam, for starters, the one that still freaks me out is how I was an intern at a law firm! The younger me would be freaking out! I would have never thought I would be able to do that, especially in another country! I had so many opportunities while I was at the law firm. I was able to make my own opinion, do extensive research and read about the Vietnam legal system. Vietnam is a completely different legal system to New Zealand and just being able to learn about how the laws are made, and how it is put into action was really fascinating! It has motivated me to continue my law degree and I’m even more excited to pursue it as a career.

One of the other main highlights of my global experience would probably be the amount of travelling I was able to do. I was lucky enough to be in Vietnam during the Lunar New Year (Tet Holiday), which gave us 10 days to travel around Vietnam. Going to the North of Vietnam was just amazing, so much to see and do. I definitely have to go back to do all of what I couldn’t do.

Challenges I faced

One of the biggest challenges, while I was in Vietnam, was getting out of my comfort zone. In New Zealand, I keep to myself and prefer to stay at home. While I was in Vietnam, I was Interning at a company where I knew no one, and I was in a flat with two girls from a different University. I love the girls I got to flat with, it was like having two more sisters! We would have endless chats before and after work, and at weekends we’re filled with exploring the never-ending city and trying the most mouth-watering food! At work, I was welcomed like one of their own. They got me to try Ho Chi Minh / Vietnamese food delicacies, which I LOVED! They took me around Ho Chi Minh City and made sure I was never bored.

What I learned

I learned so much while I was in Vietnam, a lot about the law and so much more about myself! I could write an opinion piece, do extensive research, read the law, apply it to legal documents, and make suggestions. This is exactly what I will be doing working in a law firm, I already got a taste of what I want to do. I will take what I’ve learned and improve myself to be the best I can be. I learnt so much about myself, I know what I am capable of and how I can do anything if I have the right attitude. I now know how much I am interested in going into the legal field and how much I love travelling! This global experience has made me more motivated to work hard to achieve all of the other goals I have.