Kausara Rasaki

Can you tell us why you chose to study Law at Kent?

To start off with, I was looking for somewhere not too far from home and I only looked at universities that have TEF Gold. The first time I visited Kent was on an applicants’ day and the campus was so beautiful – so beautiful. And then when I went into the lecture room it felt as though I belonged in the uni already, and I hadn’t got that feeling at other universities’ applicants days. Another reason why I made Kent my first choice was that I am European and I liked that Kent has so many European students and is proud of its European links.

You’ve chosen to add a year learning Spanish to your degree too – tell us about that.

I already speak Italian, English and Yoruba, so I feel like I have some language skills and it seemed a good opportunity to study a language and make it part of my degree. I’ll spend next year (my third year) learning Spanish and I should get to a level where I’ll be able to speak Spanish in a work situation.

Kent Law School is a critical law school. Was that important in choosing to come here?

I didn’t know it was a critical law school when I applied, but I could tell at the applicant days that the course here seemed different from others. They want you to take a critical approach. Even in the seminar readings, they don’t want you just to agree with your seminar leader. You need to think independently and have your own ideas. 

What are the lecturers like?

It’s a really diverse university, not just the students but also the staff. The convenor for my public law module is from Zimbabwe and last year the convenor for my land law module was from Eastern Europe. It’s interesting to be able to get different perspectives from them. In the public law module for instance, the lecturer doesn’t just use examples from the UK or even just from Europe: he compares examples from African countries and Middle Eastern countries. I feel that open mindset is what I’ll need when I leave uni because my clients will be from a variety of backgrounds. 

How have you found the experience of learning online during the pandemic?

I’ve actually enjoyed having lessons online more than in person! I can choose to watch the lectures in sections if I want to, and if I have a question I just ask for a video chat with my lecturer and it’s sorted. I don’t even have to walk to their office. This term we’ve been having scheduled drop-in sessions where you can talk to the lecturer about anything you don’t understand from the lecture. The support has been incredible. 

You participate in the Academic Coaching for Excellence scheme – how has that helped you?

The scheme is there to help students achieve everything that they are capable of, in terms of academic grades but also making the most of other opportunities. It was my coach who told me about the option of doing Spanish for a year as part of my degree, and she suggested I sign up for the work-study scheme, too. 

What are you doing for the work-study scheme?

I’ve been able to secure work experience through Kent Innovation i-Teams. I’m in a small team and we’ve been asked to come up with a solution to help young people who have been in care to get the information they need to live independently and understand their rights once they leave care.  

Are you involved with Kent Law Clinic too?

Yes, I’m following two cases at the moment, one is a tenancy case and the other is an immigration case. I take the notes at the meetings with the clients.  I also go to meetings where the solicitors discuss different legal issues that are happening in the UK; it might be something that a client has brought to the Clinic. 

What have been the highlights of your course so far?

One was definitely getting a first for my very first public law essay – it was only the second essay I had ever written at uni. Another has been becoming a student rep and being able to voice my opinion. We’ve set up a WhatsApp group so we can hear from students and try to sort out any issues they are having. For instance some students wanted to get more helpful feedback on their assignments so we raised the issue on their behalf and were able to get it addressed. Some students don’t feel comfortable raising their concerns so it’s good to be able to speak up for them. 

Did you live on campus in your first year?

Yes, and I actually have a house on campus now I’m in second year too, although right now I’m at home with my parents. In the first year I lived in Keynes College and that was great for making friends as it’s so central to the main campus facilities. At the start of this year I moved into a house in Parkwood with friends and I loved it. We couldn’t really go out because of the pandemic restrictions so we spent our time just chilling with each other. 

Are you involved in societies and sports?

Not really, it’s not my thing, but in the autumn term I was a mentor for the buddy scheme, helping new students to find their feet. I guess that’s the way I was social, by helping someone else to be social! 

What are your career plans?

I’m interested in a few areas. I’d like to be a solicitor and I’m open to different routes to get there, such as being a paralegal. Investment banking is another possibility, or a non-legal career where I can use my linguistic abilities. 

Has the careers service been helpful?

Yes, they send round bulletins every week about different work experience that is available. The careers team helped me to improve my CV and I’ve also got a mock interview arranged to help me with interview skills. I applied to attend an insight afternoon with Linklaters and I was successful, so I did that a couple of days ago. That’s really useful because once you have been accepted for the insight programme it places you at an advantage for securing internships or a vacation scheme. 

Finally, what advice would you give to a prospective student?

If you are going to study law, prepare yourself to have an open mind. Other people’s opinions are just as valuable as yours, they are just different. Prepare to be independent too. If you need support you have to be prepared to ask for it, and then you will get the help you need. I think that’s a great way to think for the future.