From August 5th through August 20th, 2023, a contingent of students from the Law School of Beijing Normal University successfully concluded their summer legal studies program at the prestigious University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. The initiative was designed to expand the global perspective of law students and to bolster their professional competitiveness. Spanning a duration of two weeks, the program encompassed in-depth law courses, immersive cultural experiences, and on-site visits to legal training facilities, all of which contributed to the enrichment of our students' professional capabilities and cultural literacy. A total of 32 students engaged in this abroad study venture and have successfully completed the program.

I. The Law School actively supported the program and proceeded with it in an orderly manner

Beijing Normal University Law School has always focused on cultivating students' international perspectives and practical abilities, actively expanding international communication channels. According to the new deployment and requirements of the university and school on international exchange work for students, the leaders and relevant departments responsible for international exchange in the Law School actively carried out project preparation work.

One is to persist in multiple discussions and strengthen the supply of high-quality projects. The college held a work conference to study the feasibility and implementation plan of the University of Cambridge summer program, forming a program work mechanism of "overall planning, overall arrangement, and multi-party mobilization". The school has made detailed arrangements for project promotion, procedure handling, pre-departure education, safety awareness enhancement, and overseas process management throughout the entire process, implementing the educational philosophy throughout.

The second is to increase funding and expand the scope of publicity. The school has issued special funding for this project to effectively meet the needs of students for expanding their international perspectives and development. In order to enable more students to study and exchange at top universities around the world, the school actively carried out program promotion. The enrollment scope includes the Beijing campus and the Zhuhai campus, covering undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students.

Thirdly, the school faculty adhere to the safety bottom line and work together to provide excellent services. This summer exchange program is the first organized student dispatch activity of the college after the epidemic, with a large scale and complex procedures. Therefore, the Law School held a pre-trip conference for the University of Cambridge Summer Program, where Vice Dean He Ting, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee Guo Yating, and Professor Xing Aifen emphasized the importance of maintaining national security and image, travel safety discipline, and specific itinerary arrangements.

II. Staying at Cambridge for an immersive learning experience

The college system of University of Cambridge is world-renowned and unique. Watson College where we stayed is still relatively young at the University of Cambridge, with a history of less than a hundred years, which is why the facilities of the college are even more sophisticated. In the college, we fully enjoyed the individual dormitories with independent bathrooms, tranquil garden environment, rich library collections, various fitness and entertainment facilities, and convenient restaurants... We deeply realized that unleashing our imagination and creativity in a beautiful and comfortable environment with a strong cultural atmosphere is one of the reasons why Cambridge has produced numerous talents and Nobel laureates for thousands of years. The immersive experience of college life at University of Cambridge has left us with a lingering aftertaste, benefited greatly, and will be unforgettable for a lifetime.

III. Renowned scholars gave lectures, and we enjoyed an academic feast

In the classrooms of Sidney Sussex College and Watson College at the University of Cambridge, four renowned professors and Ph.D. candidates in law from the university delivered exciting lectures on four topics: jurisprudence, EU law, sustainable development, and research methods, leaving an unforgettable academic experience for our students.

Course 1: Common Law, Equity Law, and Trust Law

The course "Introduction to English Law" traces the historical evolution of English law and explains the composition of the ancient courts and modern judicial system in England. In the case study course, the instructor also introduced the legal database of University of Cambridge and its usage methods, led the students to study four classic cases related to negligence infringement, briefly explained trusts, and used examples to deeply explain and analyze trusts.

Course 2: EU Law Issues in the Context of Brexit

The distinguished teaching professor boasts not only extensive academic expertise in the domain of EU law but also hands-on experience in drafting documents and providing decision-making consultations throughout the Brexit process in the UK. She offered a comprehensive overview of the origins and historical backdrop of EU law, elucidating for her students the ramifications of various EU legal provisions on the domestic circulation of goods within the UK, as well as the intricate decision-making journey leading to the country's exit from the EU. Furthermore, she highlighted the correlations and distinctions between the EU legal system and pertinent regulations.

Course 3: Sustainable Development Issues and Debate Classroom

This course brings to life the evolution of case law by examining a contentious case currently at the heart of debate in the UK. Using the topic of “Climate Refugees” as a lens, it sheds light on the grave challenges that global warming poses to humanity. Building on this foundation, the course delves into the UK’s Climate Change Act (2008) and the EU’s “Interreg 2 Seas FACET” project, outlining the objectives set forth in these documents concerning climate change, the progress made to date, and the strategies proposed to tackle climate-related issues.

The professor also led the students on a hike to the birthplace of English afternoon tea, Lancaster Hall, for a debate style classroom experience. Classmates walk along the countryside paths full of British charm, admiring the lush vegetation, gurgling streams, strolling herds of cattle, and dogs frolicking under the dome. Taking a nap on the way, we started a debate by the gentle breeze and rain by the river, focusing on two cases related to sustainable development: one is whether the UK should support onshore wind energy; The second question is whether solar panels should be installed on the roof of the church at King's College, Cambridge. The speaker is well prepared and speaks confidently; The discriminator cited the chapter as evidence, and the sword was sharp and agile. This classroom located in the field is filled with the spirit of heaven and earth, and our thinking and expression are bathed in the essence of nature.

Course 4: Systematic Learning of Critical Research Skills

The theme of this course is Critical Research Skills, with a focus on Research Methods, including literature retrieval techniques such as search terms, keyword searches, and search grids. The instructor asked everyone to draft a topic of interest for on-site search, and also taught students note taking methods that can be used in research, such as underlining, Cornell method, problem matrix, mind map, etc. They also explained the skills of paper writing from the aspects of structure, abstract, paragraph, conclusion, references, and citations.

IV. Visited historical landmarks and experienced British culture

(1) In-depth tour of the world's top universities

Under the guidance of local guides, the students went on an in-depth tour of the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford, fully experiencing the ancient grandeur and unparalleled excellence of the world's top universities. By linking the histories of each college, they gained a deeper understanding of these two world-class universities.

The University of Cambridge College Tour: Under the auspices of a seasoned guide from the University of Cambridge, the students embarked on a memorable visit to the venerable King's College, established by King Henry VI of England and revered by the Chinese for the commemorative stone inscribed with the verses of the celebrated Chinese poet Xu Zhimo. They also explored Trinity College, one of the largest and most esteemed colleges within the University, where the legendary "Newton's Apple Tree" flourishes. Corpus Christi College was another highlight, featuring the Corpus Clock, a symbol of the fleeting nature of time and life's impermanence. The renowned Cavendish Laboratory, hailed as the "cradle of Nobel Prizes in Science," has been the birthplace of esteemed scientists such as Maxwell, Raleigh, Thompson, Rutherford, and Dirac. Additionally, with the knowledgeable guidance of a University of Cambridge tour guide, the group immersed themselves in the scenic beauty of the Cam River, crossed the iconic Newton Bridge, also known as the Mathematical Bridge, at Queen's College, and paid respects at the hallowed Chapel. They also visited the richly atmospheric Zoology Museum, the historic Great St. Mary's Church, and the storied Castle Hill, soaking in the natural and historical grandeur of the surroundings.

There is an old saying in Britain: Passing through Oxford is like entering history. The students arrived in Oxford and visited the world-class institution of University of Oxford and numerous historical landmarks, such as the Church College of London, Hertford College, Oxford Bridge of Sighs, University of Oxford Independent Library, and Museum.

(2) General Knowledge of Museum Science

The United Kingdom is home to numerous natural and historical museums of global renown. Throughout the program, the students had the opportunity to explore the British Museum, the Fitzwilliam Museum at the University of Cambridge, the Oxford Museum of Natural History, among others. These institutions house an array of cultural artifacts and antiquities that silently narrate the storied past of ancient Greek civilization, the Crusades, the fall of the Roman Empire, and other pivotal events that have shaped the course of world history, as well as the natural evolution of the myriad worlds and their inhabitants. Through their museum visits, the students were both enchanted by the splendor of the cultural relics and awed by the gravity of history. These experiences kindled their enthusiasm and fortitude as Chinese youth, motivating them to contribute to their nation's prosperity and strength as they navigate the ebb and flow of historical currents.

(3) Immersive Experience of British Culture

1. Formal banquet

The University of Cambridge Formal Hall has a history of nearly a thousand years, and the event aims to promote interdisciplinary communication among students and cultivate their social skills. Project members attended a formal dinner held at University of Cambridge College, during which they had conversations with British officials and students from different professional backgrounds, tasted British cuisine, and experienced table manners. This activity is a rare platform for self breakthrough and growth for students who are usually reserved and introverted. This ceremonial formal dinner provides social training opportunities for every law student as they enter the workforce. At the same time, the requirement to attend banquets in formal attire also provides a good opportunity for everyone to adapt to professional development through practical courses.

2. Cambridge Shakespeare Festival

The Cambridge Shakespeare Festival is the most important traditional cultural event in Cambridge every year. During the festival, Shakespeare's masterpieces such as Romeo and Julia, Macbeth, Richard III, and A Midsummer Night's Dream are performed every night in the open spaces of various colleges at the University of Cambridge. During this visiting program, the Shakespeare Festival was touring in Cambridgeshire. Students watched Shakespeare's classic play "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in the outdoor lawn garden of Trinity College, Cambridge, and experienced the charm of the authentic Shakespearean play being performed in the forest of University of Cambridge Garden on a midsummer night, where people and sky were united.

3. Traditional English afternoon tea

The Grantchester Orchard Tea Garden in the south of Cambridge is the birthplace of English afternoon tea, which has been in operation since 1897. Philosophers Russell and Wittgenstein, economist Keynes, and famous poets Shelley and Xu Zhimo have all left their mark here, and members have walked here to experience the traditional English afternoon tea culture.

4. River Cruise in River Cam

One of the most distinctive tourist attractions in Cambridge is the rowing tour of River Cam, where visitors can swim in River Cam with long wormwood and sing Xu Zhimo's "Farewell, Cambridge". Along the way, they pass 9 famous bridges such as the Sigh Bridge and the Mathematics Bridge, as well as 7 famous colleges such as King's College, Trinity College, and St. John's College. In the gentle waves of River Cam, they can listen to the rowers tell stories about the past and present of Cambridgeshire.

V. On-site visit to the largest lawyer training institution in the UK

During the visit to the largest lawyer training institution in the UK, which is located in London, the experts of the institution introduced the cooperation between the British government, the Supreme People's Court of China, the People's Bank of China and other institutions in combating financial transnational crimes, introduced the professional training system of lawyers in the UK, and interacted with the students to answer questions. Through this visit, students also visited London and embraced this world-renowned city with deep affection.

VI. The Educational Effectiveness of University of Cambridge Summer Visiting Program

(1) Adhere to the principle of educating people and build an international academic exchange platform

The University of Cambridge Summer Program is designed to embody the talent cultivation philosophy of fostering humanistic literacy and the spirit of the rule of law at the Beijing Normal University Law School. It aims to provide students with a global perspective and to enhance academic dialogue and mutual understanding between China and the United Kingdom. As Justice Holmes poignantly stated, "The life of the law has not been logic; it has been experience." Within the hallowed halls of the University of Cambridge, a premier institution of higher education, students are immersed in an intellectual banquet of English law topics, presented by esteemed professors. During courses and seminars, students are exposed to the influence of diverse legal systems' knowledge frameworks on their logical reasoning. Through visits to historical landmarks, they seek their place in the grand sweep of history; experiencing traditional British etiquette further enriches their humanistic education. Moreover, the program offers a platform for students to engage with the University of Cambridge and leading scholars globally. Through ongoing exchanges, students gain access to the latest international academic trends, delve into professional hot topics, and spark intellectual conversations. The program also expands the pathways for students considering further education, and it provides direct support for doctoral thesis composition as well as future academic and research endeavors.

(2) Promote two-way exchanges between China and the UK, and facilitate the spread of Chinese culture to the world

On one hand, this program empowers students from Beijing Normal University to venture abroad, exemplifying the exceptional academic demeanor and vibrant spirit of the Chinese people in foreign lands. On the other hand, it showcases the modern Chinese persona and cultural richness to the world through the students' participation. The four esteemed professors at the University of Cambridge have all commended the diligence, innovative thinking, and proactive engagement exhibited by the Beijing Normal University students during the rigorous Cambridge Summer Program. Throughout the course, students have proudly presented their hometowns, highlighting local gastronomy and scenic beauty; confidently shared China's rich historical tapestry and cultural heritage; and consciously embraced their role as ambassadors of Chinese culture, thereby effectively fostering mutual understanding and bilateral interaction between China and the UK.

(3) Innovative talent cultivation methods to enhance students' global competence

Legal talents in the new era should not only have an international perspective, but also possess foreign-related legal capabilities and global competence. This summer law program at the University of Cambridge focuses on in-depth legal knowledge related to issues such as Brexit, the development challenges of the European Union, and sustainable development. It promotes law school students to gain a profound understanding of cutting-edge legal issues and common challenges faced by human development from a global perspective; Through immersive experiential learning of world civilization history, architectural art, etc., students have enhanced their understanding of cultural differences between China and the West; Enhanced awareness of world diversity and the community with a shared future for mankind; Rich classroom debates exercise students' language expression ability and enhance their cross-cultural communication skills. Seeing is not as good as seeing, and seeing is not as good as practicing. The inspiration and gains brought to the students of Beijing Normal University Law School by this Cambridge summer law program will benefit them for life and become increasingly valuable over time.

(4) Enrich students' personal resumes

As the program drew to a close, the British hosts organized a prestigious graduation ceremony in the versatile hall of a University of Cambridge college. The professor overseeing the college project individually awarded each student with a University of Cambridge Summer Program Graduation Certificate and commemorated the occasion with a group photograph. This certificate not only acknowledges the students' exceptional performance in the classrooms of the University of Cambridge but also carries a significant level of recognition, enhancing the students' competitive edge in future study abroad applications and job searches.