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What surprised Tanya most about studying law at ANU
For Australian National University (ANU) international student Tanya Sharma, studying law has been about more than mastering cases and concepts. Drawn to ANU for its reputation and global outlook, she’s found herself challenged in the classroom, inspired by the people around her and encouraged to think bigger about her future in law and beyond.
By Tanya Sharma
Why did you choose to study at the Australian National University?
I’ve always wanted to study in an environment that would truly challenge me – somewhere I’d be surrounded by brilliant minds, pushed to think critically and exposed to ideas beyond my comfort zone. When deciding between offers from the UK and Australia, I kept returning to ANU. Its reputation as one of the top law schools in Australia, and its strong global ranking, gave me confidence I’d be learning from leaders in the field.
What stood out most was the interconnectedness of the legal education at ANU – how it links classroom learning to real-world law and policy. Being in Canberra means direct access to the High Court, Parliament and international institutions, which creates opportunities to build knowledge and networks that stretch globally.
As an international student, I wanted more than a degree; I wanted to be part of a community that engages with legal issues on both domestic and global stages. ANU offered the best of both worlds: rigorous academics and a platform to connect with people, ideas and opportunities that cross borders.
How has your academic experience at ANU so far challenged you?
When I first walked into an ANU law class, I braced myself for tough readings, fast-paced discussions and healthy competition. And yes – the challenge was definitely there. The workload pushed me to think faster, dig deeper and defend my ideas more precisely than ever. But what really surprised me was the way that challenge was delivered.
The teaching feels personal. My lecturers know our names, remember our questions and push us to connect legal principles to real life. Tutorials often turn into open conversations, where everyone’s perspective matters.
I also didn’t expect the sheer kindness of the community. I’ve had classmates share notes without being asked, explain tricky concepts at the library late at night and check in before exams. The teaching staff are approachable too, making asking for help feel natural. I came here wanting to be pushed academically. I didn’t expect to find a second home in the process.
How would you describe the quality of education at ANU?
For me, the quality of education at ANU is defined by how open and alive the learning feels. In law, it’s not just about memorising rules – it’s about debating them, questioning their purpose and exploring their real-world impact. That openness transforms lectures and tutorials into conversations rather than one-way delivery.
What’s stood out most is how approachable and engaged the academics are. It’s completely normal here to have a casual but thought-provoking chat with a lecturer after class, or to dive into a spontaneous discussion in a tutorial that shifts how you see a topic. There’s a sense that your perspective matters, even if you’re still figuring it out.
That combination of high expectations and genuine intellectual exchange makes the learning feel collaborative rather than isolating. It’s pushed me to think more critically, express my ideas with confidence and see legal issues from angles I might never have considered on my own.
Have you built any connections on campus while studying at ANU?
Absolutely. One of the things I’ve valued most at ANU is how naturally connections form, both within the university and in the broader community. On campus, I’ve met classmates who’ve become not just friends, but collaborators in study groups, student organisations and projects that push us beyond the syllabus. There’s an authentic culture of sharing knowledge here rather than keeping it to yourself, which makes those relationships meaningful and lasting.
Beyond campus, the University’s location in Canberra has opened doors I didn’t expect. Being so close to national institutions, embassies and legal bodies means the people you meet at guest lectures or networking events often have direct, real-world influence in their fields. Those encounters have helped me see the bigger picture of where a law degree can take me, and in some cases, given me contacts I know I can reach out to in the future.
Studying here hasn’t just built my network – it’s made me part of a supportive and globally connected community.
How do you think your time at ANU will shape your future and the way you see yourself and your place in the world?
Looking ahead, I know my time at ANU will shape me in ways I didn’t anticipate. Being surrounded by classmates from all over the world, each with their own experiences, cultures, and ways of thinking, has been eye-opening. Simple conversations in tutorials or over coffee often turned into debates that challenged my assumptions and expanded my understanding of global perspectives.
These interactions have made me more adaptable, empathetic, and curious — not just about law, but about people and the world I’m entering. It’s taught me that solutions aren’t one-size-fits-all, and that listening, understanding, and connecting across differences is just as important as any technical skill.
I now see my future not just as a career path, but as a chance to engage with ideas and people on a global scale, to contribute meaningfully, and to approach challenges with a mindset shaped by the diverse, supportive, and intellectually alive community I’ve been lucky to be part of at ANU.
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