What appealed to you in the Master’s programme and why?
For me, choosing the Dual Degree Dutch Law / German Law was an easy decision. I grew up in Germany, but my family’s “roots” are in the Netherlands, which is why I decided to study law in the Netherlands. During my studies there, I often wondered how legislation works in Germany. What are the differences, and what challenges do people and companies face in cross-border situations?
Was there room for electives within the Master’s programme?
The Dual Degree programme gives you the freedom to take the courses you genuinely enjoy. For instance, in Münster I focused on sports law and health law. I ultimately wrote my thesis with great pleasure, and received excellent supervision from both Nijmegen and Münster.
Where do you work now, and what does your work involve?
After completing my bachelor’s degree, I started working at De Kempenaer Advocaten in Arnhem. De Kempenaer is a mid-sized law firm with a “German Desk,” where lawyers work who are both admitted to the bar in the Netherlands and qualified as “Rechtsanwalt” in Germany. I began as a legal assistant and was immediately able to participate in a German–Dutch cross-border practice. The Dual Degree aligned perfectly with this. Through the programme, I gained insight into the German legal system and the way German lawyers and legal experts provide advice. In Münster, I acquired substantive knowledge of German law and learned a lot from my fellow students, who came from all over the world to complete the Master’s in German Law. Münster, by the way, is also a very fun student city with plenty to do.
Why is it important that people have this Master’s specialisation?
For my work after graduation, the Dual Degree offered many advantages. When I returned from Münster and defended my thesis, I was able to start as a trainee lawyer at De Kempenaer. I am now in the final phase of the Professional Training Programme and advise almost daily on cross-border cases. Recently, through the European Commission’s “b-solutions” project, I have also been allowed to conduct research and provide advice on legal issues in the German–Dutch border regions. My reports are presented to the European Commission. For the cross-border work I get to do, the Dual Degree has provided an essential foundation, for which I am very grateful. I can highly recommend the programme! I can also recommend doing a student internship at a firm that handles cross-border matters. It provides great insight into the challenges of such practice and the added value of the Dual Degree.