TalTech is renowned for producing high-quality students that are currently influencing society with the knowledge taught by experienced professors. As a result of this, I found it interesting and pertinent to interview a recent Alumni, J’moul Francis of the school of Business and Governance who specialised in the field of European Union and International Law. Mr. Francis is a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda who shares the reasons for selecting Estonia and TalTech as his choice of studies. Also, he emphasizes how the experience has advanced his legal career and placed him in a position to strengthen the international affairs of his home country and Estonia. It is worth reading how choosing TalTech changed his life!
“…co-authoring chapters in a book edited by my international law professor, Dr. Evhen Tsybulenko, concerning the application of international law to the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine.” J.Francis
Why did you select Tallinn University of Technology as opposed to other Universities?
Between 2013 to 2014, I wanted to pursue a degree in law with some international dimensions. Still, I did not know then the field of law that I wanted to study, nor did I know where I wanted to study. At first, I applied to various well-known universities in the United Kingdom (UK)- which is a natural destination for students from the English-speaking Caribbean wishing to study law due to the historical and legal commonalities. My applications were successful, and I received many offers; however, I found that studying in the UK might not be a sustainable pursuit. It was around this time the European Union (EU) became a household name due to their development efforts in the region. So, I then proceeded to do some research on other top universities in Europe, and I came across Estonia, Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), and Tallinn Law School. Upon further investigation, I found that Estonia is highly ranked on the Human Development Index (HDI) and received many accolades for its embrace of digitalisation and, more so, for its approach to education. I then further discovered that TalTech and Tallinn Law School were highly ranked by higher education magazines and received many great reviews by students, alumni, academics, and professionals.
Moreover, I was very impressed not only with the reasonable cost of studies, but also the quality and structure of the curriculum that were (and still are) highly competitive when compared to what was on offer in the UK. Being a person who loves traveling and experiencing new experiences, I completed and sent an application to study at the university and was successful. I have no regrets about applying to TalTech because it surpassed my expectations in every way imaginable from the university’s facilities, quality of academics, curriculum delivery to study opportunities. In fact, now three (3) years after graduation and with a master’s degree in law from University College London (UCL), I am of the view that TalTech is unrivalled in many regards and should be highly considered by anyone seeking an international experience in their journey to higher education.
What program did you specialise in, and how has your alma mater prepared you for your career?
I read a BA in Law specialising European Union and International law because regional integration and multilateralism, albeit under threat today, was at the time flourishing frameworks within the system of global governance. More so in the Caribbean, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) –fashioned from the EU– was blossoming as an enhanced model of regional intergovernmental governance. As such, it would require individuals with the knowledge of more developed integration systems such as the EU to become the next generation, or rather the lifeblood, for further continued development. Also, with CARICOM member states being party to the European Partnership Agreement (EPA) based on many EU law principles and mechanisms, I was surprised that there were very few (still the case) experts with knowledge in EU law and external relations. Likewise, there are not many experts in the field of international law in the region hence why the Caribbean’s global presence reflects more or less its geographic size and significance. Given the situation of inadequate capacity, the Caribbean tends to rely on experts from outside of the region to guide its internal decisions in many regards. I found this to be an extension of colonialism whereby the region is still dependent on former colonial masters and other larger countries for help even to make internal decisions. Therefore, I took it upon myself to be the change I seek in this regard to assist in filling the gap in the region’s expert capacity crisis.
After graduating with the equivalent of first-class honours, and despite my desire to further my studies at the graduate level, I was recruited to work with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda at a time when the country was subjected to the wrath of category 5 Hurricane Irma. This appointment came after co-authoring chapters in a book edited by my international law Professor, Dr. Evhen Tsybulenko, concerning the application of international law to the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine. As such, I was able to employ my legal knowledge and research skills in analysing and conveying the Government’s policy to the public. Soon after, I went into private academic and legal research providing organisations with legal guidance and analysis on many subject-matters. During this time, I revived my desire to pursue graduate studies and accepted a deferred offer from UCL and applied for the Commonwealth Scholarship. I was successful and became my country’s 2019/18 Commonwealth Scholar and read an LLM in EU law, Competition Law, and International Law at UCL’s Faculty of Laws. While studying, I interned at the Antigua and Barbuda High Commission to the UK (the equivalent of an embassy) having responsibility for research, drafting, communications, and special projects. Although my ultimate goal is to be an academic whilst conducting further research in comparative integration law and the development of the digital single market (most likely at TalTech), my career path today would not have been what it is if I studied elsewhere.
TalTech’s pragmatic and modern approach to learning and research positioned me above and beyond my peers, whereby my knowledge of the law is not restricted to the black and white letter of the law. The infusion of technology and entrepreneurship into the law school experience added a host of other skills and abilities to my personal development to the point whereby I am usually recruited for positions instead of me having to apply for jobs along my career journey thus far. The international experience gained also developed my skills for working and networking with persons from across the globe. In all, the point I would make is that TalTech’s approach to learning and the accompanying experience, even at the law school, leads to a more comprehensive intellectual and professional development that sets you apart from others. This can only happen if you allow yourself to learn with an open mind and absorb the knowledge given while taking advantage of every opportunity presented. TalTech is not just about the lecture theatre or classroom experience; it is a way of life –“Mente et Manu” (wisdom and hands). In other words, it is about harnessing the knowledge gained and using it to make your job, home, community, country, region, and the world a better place.
How much interaction or support, if any, will a typical student have with the professors at Tallinn University of Technology?
A student can have as much interaction and support as they need from the professors across all disciplines, faculties, and their departments. Whether in person or online, professors and lecturers, from my experience, are always available and willing to assist in helping you understand difficult concepts. Moreover, they are open and ready to provide guidance for the completion of assignments or advise on anything school-related. Moreover, students must also have some self-initiative and be interested in their educational development. I say this because one’s interaction and support from professors, lecturers, and tutors should not be engaged in a manner to substitute classroom time and self-learning. Instead, that type of support should be utilised for further elucidation and refinement in understanding of taught concepts. That is why students should go to lecturers and tutorials on time, be attentive in class, take sound notes, and revise what was presented and discussed regularly. By doing this, assistance will come in good faith, which will be a win-win situation for the professors and lecturers and you as the student.
Did you participate in any voluntary activities at your alma mater, if yes, would you recommend to others?
During my time, I was an active member of the TUT Debate Society and the Law Students’ Association. Each week, on Wednesdays, the debate society would hold intra-club debates (British Parliamentary format) on several subject-matters. This was also an avenue for me to make friends beyond the faculty and also learn about new topics from a range of unique perspectives. Naturally, being part of a debating society helps to sharpen public speaking and debating skills. In terms of the Law Students’ Association, the activities brought a social dimension to law school life, whereby I interacted with classmates beyond schoolwork and learned more about them personally and socially. From pub crawls, treasure hunts, law firm visits, and dinners, the association helped to solidify friendships that are still intact. I would advise students to find what you love in the form of extracurricular activities and do it. As I mentioned before, TalTech is a way of life, and you should take hold of every opportunity available to enable your further personal development. As an alumnus, I am super proud of people like Shamaise and Kaiszia (Antiguans and Barbudans of course) who are studying at TalTech and doing so well in their respective endeavours. It is not just because we hail from the same country, but they are maximising the many brilliant opportunities on offer to them by the beautiful country of Estonia and the fantastic TalTech for their personal development.
