Lennart Stoffers

I came to Groningen in 2021 to pursue the LL.B. International and European Law. Originally, that rather spontaneous decision turned into the best years of my life so far. My application was originally motivated by my neighbour back in my home country, Austria, who had done the programme several years before me and highly recommended Groningen. Three years later, I had completed the LL.B., and the LL.M. in Public International Law seemed like a natural progression to me. Both the subjects in the curriculum and the research of the teaching personnel aligned with my interests greatly, and I do not regret my choice at all.

There are several highlights of studying at the Faculty of Law. First and foremost, the small scale of the programme—my cohort consisted of roughly 20 people—allows for proper engagement with the professors as well as students. Almost all professors are very eager to facilitate engagement and are happy to satisfy your queries at any time.  Second, the global nature of the LL.M. Programme attracts students from all over the world and all ages, which makes the conversations a very insightful experience. Third, the new Röling Building is a highly modern teaching and research complex, which facilitates the modern methods employed here. And finally, I had the opportunity to, as part of the module ‘Law in Practice’, in practical exercises which are usually so parsimonious while studying law. I had the opportunity to partake in the Helga Pedersen Moot Court Competition, as well as a cooperation with an NGO working on the execution of ECtHR judgements. The steep learning curve in these projects is something I really appreciated.

Groningen as a city is a true gem. It’s widely known to be the best student city in the Netherlands, and its high student population means you usually bump into friends every couple of metres. The city is rich in history and constantly under reconstruction to make it even more livable. In the four years that I lived here, I could see the enormous efforts, from making the inner city virtually car-free to finishing the construction of the Zuiderplantoen, the municipality is constantly working towards a better future. There are many ways to spend your free time, from grabbing coffee at Black and Bloom to bouldering, rowing, clubbing, or simply socialising in one of the many parks with a beer with your friends. Long story short, you never get bored here.

My experience here definitely shaped me considerably. The hands-on approach and fast-paced nature of academia in the Netherlands (when compared with other countries) allows you to train your self-management and facilitate your independent thinking. Further, the global nature of the programme facilitates intercultural awareness and friendships. These skills definitely assist in any business/international environment that will follow your studies. As to my outlook, I had the privilege of also studying at the philosophy faculty next to my LL.B. and LL.M., which arguably assisted me in facilitating a deeper understanding of the materials discussed. My next year will lead me to Barcelona, where I will pursue an M.A. in Political Philosophy. After that, I will most likely return to Austria and work in the field of the rule of law and democratic backsliding.

Lennart Stoffers, Austria, LLM in Public International Law graduate