Students gain global perspective on South Korea study tour

Students visiting the Constitutional Court of Korea

Nineteen Swinburne University of Technology law students have returned from a two-week study tour of South Korea, gaining firsthand insights into the country's legal system, legal institutions and contemporary legal challenges.

Led by Dr Jacqueline Meredith and Leilani Fatupaito, and supported by Swinburne Abroad, the study tour took students to Seoul and Busan where they explored three interconnected themes: labour law, human rights law, and technology and the law.

Throughout the tour, students engaged with academics, legal practitioners and advocacy organisations while investigating their own comparative legal research topics.

Learning from South Korea's legal experts

Emerging legal issues were a key focus of the tour, including the regulation of artificial intelligence and the legal implications of rapid technological change.

Dr Jacqueline Meredith said the experience gave students valuable exposure to different legal traditions and professional perspectives.

The program featured a range of educational experiences, including classes at Hanyang University, visits to the Supreme Court of Korea and the Constitutional Court of Korea, and a session with the Korea Cyber Sexual Violence Response Center.

Students also learned about labour rights through a visit to the Jeon Tae-il Memorial Hall and took part in an intensive six-hour education session and networking event hosted by DLG Law Corporation, a leading international technology law firm.

"Our law students had the valuable opportunity to engage directly with South Korean academics and legal practitioners on a range of topical legal issues," Dr Meredith said.

"The study tour deepened their understanding of the differences between common law and civil law systems and prepared them to navigate an increasingly global legal environment."

Beyond the classroom

Beyond the classroom, students also participated in cultural experiences designed to deepen their understanding of South Korean society and history.

Activities included a traditional tea ceremony, a Korean cooking class and a performance featuring traditional Korean musical instruments.

These experiences complemented the academic program by providing students with a deeper understanding of the cultural, historical and political contexts that shape South Korean law and society.

A life-changing experience

For Bachelor of Laws student Emily Setter, the study tour was transformative.

"What initially began as an opportunity to explore a foreign country and learn about a legal system that differed from Australia's truly turned into a life-changing experience," she said.

Learning directly from South Korean experts and organisations gave Emily a renewed appreciation for the role of law in promoting justice and protecting human rights.

"This opportunity to learn from the sources themselves renewed my passion for the law and underscored how important human rights, freedom, and justice are to me," she said.

"It allowed me to truly understand my future role not only as a global citizen but as a culturally aware legal professional."

Emily said the tour's cultural, historical and political visits were integral to her learning experience.

"Our cultural, historical and political visits were also an incredibly important part of the study tour, which allowed us to understand more of the political and historical values of South Korea."

Preparing globally minded legal professionals

The study tour concluded in Seoul with student assessment presentations, where participants reflected on the legal issues explored throughout the program and the broader insights gained from studying abroad.

"Overall, the study tour has reinforced for me how important being a culturally aware legal professional will be in an ever-evolving global society, and how important it is to understand cultural, societal, and political values when looking at legislation," Emily said.

Through academic engagement, professional networking and cultural immersion, the study tour provided students with a deeper understanding of the global legal landscape and the skills needed to practise law in an increasingly interconnected world.