In the heart of Hong Kong’s Central district, under the watchful gaze of towering skyscrapers and amidst the city’s bustle, stands Lady Justice. Wearing a blindfold and delicately balancing scales in her hand, she acts as a beacon, symbolizing the enduring principles of fairness, equity, and the rule of law. She also represents Hong Kong’s British past, a colonial relic amidst ever-evolving cityscape and sovereignty that envelops her. As I left Hong Kong for Boston to attend law school, I thought of her journey, albeit stilted, through centuries of urban growth, shifts in sovereignty, and natural decay. With the statue of Lady Justice etched in my mind, I began my own legal journey in the United States.

So, as a Hong Konger, why attend law school in the United States? There are plenty of other common law jurisdictions to attain a law degree. The United Kingdom. Canada. Australia. Even Hong Kong itself. For me, the answer lies not just in the pursuit of a degree, but in the distinct ethos and philosophy of American legal education.

The American legal classroom is a theater of critical thought. Unlike most pedagogies, which tend to be structured around stoic lectures, American law schools are fervently interactive, placing a premium on dynamic discourse, probing questioning, and meticulous intellectual exchange. Classes offer a continuous dialogue between professor and student, pushing students to think, question, and engage on their feet. It’s not a passive receipt of knowledge, but an active interrogation of it. This not only sharpens analytical prowess but also fosters a space where ideas are relentlessly tested, rigorously refined, and beautifully articulated. For an international student, it’s a refreshing and powerful way to learn.

Law school in the United States is also anchored in a broader perspective. An American legal education is not just about studying the law; it’s about understanding its broader impact on society and its intricate evolution over time. The United States, despite its imperfections, stands as a bastion of legal evolution, having witnessed seismic shifts in constitutional interpretations, landmark rulings, and sociopolitical movements shaped by legal activism. Attending BC in Boston, the ‘city upon a hill’ that played a pivotal role in the nation’s founding, has immersed me in a rich tapestry of history and precedent. In both Boston and the broader US, the law isn’t static; it is a breathing thing, highlighting the dynamic legal education I’ve begun.

Attending BC has also placed its own unique spin on this methodology. At our orientation, Dean Lienau emphasized the power of the law and our responsibility to wield its knowledge to progress the world around us. More than just imparting the black letter law, BC instills in its students a profound sense of agency. With its numerous clubs, interactive competitions, collaborative activities and clinical opportunities, BC encourages us to translate our knowledge into meaningful action while understanding and improving our society around us. Coupled with a student body that is both intellectually rigorous and remarkably supportive, the BC Law experience, even in just my initial weeks, promises a harmonious blend of academic excellence and a collective drive for change.

Given this, I feel vindicated in my decision to pursue an American legal education. Together, these elements are shaping me into a lawyer who values critical thinking, agency, eloquence, and community, qualities particularly essential for navigating the challenges facing us at this period in our history. 

It is still early days. The weather is warm. The evenings are bright. My apartment is cluttered. I still forget names. Meanwhile, work has started to pile up. Weeknights grow busier, weekends ever more precious. Stress steadily mounts. Yet, amidst it all, the same sense of awe at the journey I’ve embarked on lingers. One constant remains–a printed image of Lady Justice adorning my desk.

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Christopher Tan is a first-year student at BC Law and brand new Impact blogger. Contact him at tanbw@bc.edu.