In order to meet the pressing needs of the country and society for international high-level legal talents, Fudan University Law School draws on its own talent training philosophy and unique characteristics to launch a dual-degree program, Juris Master (International Track) Program, achieving a new breakthrough in the international talent training model.

In 2018, the matriculation of the first cohort of the said program garnered significant publicity. The program aims to groom high-level legal talents with international perspectives, but rooted in China. It also aims to help them acquire cross-jurisdictional knowledge and holistic skills. While completing the regular Juris Master curriculum prescribed by the Ministry of Education, these students will go abroad in the second year of study to pursue a second master's degree at a well-known law school with a partnership agreement with Fudan University. At present, the first cohort of students has successfully completed their studies and returned to their home school. These students attended Washington University in St. Louis, the College of William and Mary, the University of Arizona, the National University of Singapore, and the University of Frankfurt in Germany, respectively.

Students expressed a prevailing view that overseas study experience has broadened their academic horizons, improved their language and learning ability. Moreover, the diverse cultural environment and different classroom teaching styles also provide opportunities for the collisions of ideas to generate new innovative thoughts. The students reflected upon their learning journey, improved through adversity and challenge, emotionally matured through new experience. This exhilarating experience was indeed a voyage of self-discovery and personal growth. Nancy Staudt, Dean of the Washington University Law School expressed the sentiment at the welcome ceremony, the international class program between Fudan University and Washington University in St. Louis is an excellent opportunity to deepen the cooperation and training of international talents. Students who completed their studies at Washington University in St. Louis also enthused about their wonderful learning experience at Washington University in St. Louis. The excellent faculty, scientific curriculum, well-organized after-school tutorial support and cultural activities have offered substantial benefits to students. This year of study and life in a foreign country is a memorable one.

Wang Zhiqiang (right), Dean of Fudan Law School, attended the welcome ceremony of Washington University in St. Louis, and had a cordial discussion with Nancy Staudt (left), dean and the Howard & Caroline Cayne Distinguished Professor of Law

Students studying abroad have a colorful after-school life

Beautiful scenery of Washington University campus in St. Louis（picture from Yicheng Wang）

The College of William and Mary, located in the small town of Williamsburg, Virginia, also opened the eyes for everyone. The various schools of William and Mary are scattered in the town, breaking the boundaries between the College and the town. The whole town celebrates the opening season with every freshman, which is a unique experience for international students. The students who went to study in William and Mary said that the educational mode of American law schools is different from those in China. They laid more emphasis on the training of students’ practical ability and communicative skill. The no-holds-barred classroom provides students with a lot of opportunities for ideas to clash with each other and to brainstorm as a group to seek common solutions. Completing a group work with American and other international students is also a very meaningful experience.

As one of the leading law schools in Asia, the National University of Singapore Faculty of Law has an admirable strength in Maritime Law, International Arbitration, Corporate and Financial Services Law, and Asian Legal Studies. The Bukit Timah campus where the Faculty of Law is located is in the historic National Botanic Garden of Singapore, surrounded by a stunningly beautiful natural environment. The after-school life at NUS is very colorful. The "Food Center" near the residential area allows students to experience the unique Southeast Asian culinary culture. The summer internship provided by the school also gives students the opportunity to practice the professional knowledge learned in the classroom.

Colorful graduation photos

On the basis of the experience gained from running the inaugural cohort of the program, Fudan Law School improved and streamlined the curriculum, course offerings and teaching staff allocation, and it continues to expand the network of high-quality overseas partners. At present, the number of overseas partner schools have numbered 15. The students of the second cohort of the program will also set sail to embark upon a learning journey with our foreign partner schools.

We are hopeful and confident that the program will give wings to aspiring legal eagles in their chosen careers.

The second cohort of JM (International Track)