For fans of Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland the famous Christ Church College of Oxford University is the setting of magical, mysterious worlds, but for Bond Alumnus Rachel Mansted, it is home for the next year.
Ms Mansted has been accepted to study a one-year Bachelor of Civil Laws – Oxford’s Law Master's degree – at the prestigious English university, and is preparing herself for one of the most challenging yet exciting years of her life.
Graduating from Bond University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) / International Relations as Valedictorian and Law and Humanities Medallist, Ms Mansted has spent the last three years working as a solicitor at top-tier Sydney law firm Mallesons Stephen Jaques and as an Associate to Justice Crennan in the High Court of Australia.
Soon after graduating from Bond, she set her heart on further study at Oxford University.
“It has everything,” Ms Mansted said; “An international reputation, a sense of history, sought-after academic staff and the unique Oxford tutorial system.”
“The admission process is very competitive, and I was delighted when I was accepted earlier this year by the Law Faculty and also by Christ Church, one of Oxford’s largest constituent colleges that was founded by King Henry VIII.
“I will be studying for the BCL (Bachelor of Civil Law), known as one of the most rigorous, challenging and, for that reason, prestigious law degrees in the world.
“I am incredibly excited, and I know that Bond law has prepared me well to deal with new challenges in the academic world,” she said.
Ms Mansted acknowledges the obvious advantages the study will have towards her career, but says it also represents an opportunity for great personal growth.
“I am looking forward to immersing myself in the amazing surroundings and history, drawing on centuries of learning and interacting with interesting people from all over the world.
“I want to throw myself headlong into the experience – and return to Australia with a deeper knowledge of the law, new ways of thinking, and the motivation to put my newfound skills to work in the Australian legal profession,” she said.
Another Bond Alumnus, Julien du Vergier, who graduated with a Bachelor of Biomedical Science/ Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) last year, has also recently arrived in the United Kingdom to undertake further studies at Cambridge University.