Course Spotlight - LL135: Introduction to Corporate Law and Governance

We sat down with Phoebe, who took LL135: Introduction to Corporate Law and Governance, to hear about her experience of the course.

 

Why did you decide to attend LSE Summer School?

LSE Summer School ticked all my boxes when I was figuring out what I wanted from a study abroad experience. For one thing, I was able to transfer credit from my Summer School course to my degree. In addition, since I am an economics and legal studies student, there is nowhere more fitting than LSE — a place where I can work closely with world-renowned faculty in those two fields of study. Lastly, I’ve always loved London and with LSE’s central location, I knew I could explore everything to my heart's content! 

Why did you choose your course?

Like many students, I am currently trying to figure out my career goals/aspirations; in particular, I am grappling between business and law. LL135 was a perfect blend of my two interests, and I knew regardless of which subject I leaned towards, I would learn valuable and transferable knowledge. 

Tell us about an average day as a student on your course.

During the morning lecture, the lecturer would lead us through different case studies and subsequently go over different takeaways/key points. We would also work through situations/problems live in class, which really pulled the students together to participate, share their ideas, and come together with solutions. In the afternoon, there would be seminars with a small group, where a graduate student instructor would review key concepts and work through practice problems to really solidify our understanding of the previous day's content. 

What was your favourite part of your course?

My favourite part of the course was being in a classroom with students from all over the world, who were passionate and eager to learn. Even throughout the three hour lectures and occasionally dense content, there would be individuals happily raising their hands, answering questions, and more. This type of environment really pushed me to not only participate and engage more with the content, but also to improve my own attitude when it came to studying/academics. 

What advice would you give to students considering your course?

While the content and pace of the course may seem intimidating, please don’t let it discourage you from taking the class! The teachers are all extremely supportive and provide so many resources for you to succeed outside of the regular lecture/teaching time. In my experience, blocking out a little time every day to review content or work on assignments really helped with understanding the material. This allowed me to find time for both my academic work and also exploring London! 

What are your short-term professional goals, and how does your course contribute to these goals?

At the moment, I want to either work for a few years in business (e.g. risk, operations, consulting, etc.) or attend law school in the U.S. after getting my undergraduate degree. Taking this course helped me so much with these goals; I was able to secure multiple internship offers over the summer and autumn by incorporating content I had learned in class into my interview responses. Not only that, but just mentioning I was studying abroad and taking courses at LSE served as great talking points with my interviewers, helping me make a personable impression right away. 

Was meeting and talking to other students on your course easy?

It was really easy meeting and talking to other students in my course. LSE provides a lot of opportunities, such as a welcome reception with all the law students, to meet and socialise with one another. In addition, from day one the classroom environment was extremely energetic and welcoming; students were turning left and right to introduce themselves and make conversation. I can confidently say there was never a point where I didn't feel welcome or included. 

What would be your top tip for future Summer School students?

My top tip is that on the first day, make an effort to talk with people next to you in class. I was able to meet one of my closest friends during the programme by just taking a seat and immediately introducing myself. While it may seem nerve racking in the beginning, remember everyone is in the same situation as you and that one “hello” can lead you down a path to your best summer yet! 

What was your favourite part of studying at LSE?

My favourite part of studying at LSE was the campus’ central London location and proximity to so many great places! Every morning, I would walk to and from campus, taking in the beautiful view of the River Thames. Between my classes, I could walk to Covent Garden and browse the shops, or take the Tube to Chinatown and grab hot pot with friends. I really got to explore every nook and cranny of the city. 

How did you find the British teaching style?

I enjoyed the British teaching style. While I was intimidated in the beginning — given my impression that classes would be a lot more intense than at my home institution — I was able to adapt pretty quickly. The professors were concise yet in depth with their points, and grading guidelines were clearly outlined. Having only 1-2 examinations determine my cumulative grade was also surprisingly less stressful, allowing me to find a great balance between having fun and studying hard.

 

This interview was written by one of our 2024 Student Ambassadors, who are here to share their stories and help you understand the summer school experience at LSE.