In the middle of 2003, I decided to take part in the British Council’s Study Abroad Scholarship, which offers students a scholarship to a British university. When I heard I was one of the winners and that in two months I would be studying at the University of East Anglia, I had no idea just what a great experience was awaiting me.

Initially, I had never heard of the university, but I soon found out that its Law Faculty is considered the eighth best in the country and that its International Trade Law course is ranked among the top five in the entire United Kingdom. I was impressed by the number of international trade courses on offer and it was very hard to select just five. I ended up opting for International Banking, Payments and Finance in International Trade, International Insolvency, Comparative Securities Regulation and The Law of the International Sale of Goods.

There is no doubt that my time there was a superb academic experience. Not only did I learn subjects it would be practically impossible to come across at a Brazilian university, but I had the chance to take part in the world’s largest international trade law competition: the Willem C. vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot, which is held in Vienna and involves some 700 universities.

The year would not have been so special if it had not been for the unique opportunity to meet people from around the world, and I am happy to say that I now have friends from all over the globe. I made the acquaintance of people from at least 60 countries and forged true friendships with people from at least 15 different nations. This diverse cultural experience and the chance to broaden my network of relationships was what made the year such a unique period of personal growth. When in London, I attended a book launch and conversed at length with the Brazilian Ambassador Sr. José Maurício Bustani, who told me a number of fascinating stories.

To sum up, I am sure that I will always recall my year in the UK as one of my most precious academic, personal and professional experiences. Added to which, it was fundamental in motivating me to keep on fighting to reach my goals and never to forget that it is the people we meet along the way that really count.