Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws

"I discovered Bond through my high school, St Ignatius’ College Riverview, which is a collegiate partner. After visiting the campus for Open Day and chatting to current students about their experiences, I knew it was the place for me. During my time at Bond, I undertook a Bachelor of Arts majoring in International Relations and Chinese Studies and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours). I chose this combination because I wanted to learn about Australia’s place in the world and how international relations worked. Show more

"I discovered Bond through my high school, St Ignatius’ College Riverview, which is a collegiate partner. After visiting the campus for Open Day and chatting to current students about their experiences, I knew it was the place for me. During my time at Bond, I undertook a Bachelor of Arts majoring in International Relations and Chinese Studies and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours). I chose this combination because I wanted to learn about Australia’s place in the world and how international relations worked.

There are so many great things about the Bond experience but for me the highlight was the campus life. From student clubs to sporting teams to philanthropy, so many Bond students choose to give back to the university and make it a better place. There’s a place for everyone at Bond – all you have to do is put your hand up. It helps that Bond is such a stunning campus with world class facilities.

I lived and breathed the Bond experience. I lived on campus for the duration of my studies and was a Resident Fellow in my final years. I was a mooter and participated in Jessup and an intellectual property law moot in China. I served as President of the Student Association in my final year and enjoyed working closely with university staff to advance student interests. The thing I am proudest of from my university days is helping to start the Bond Children’s Holiday Camp in 2008, which continues to run each year and provides an amazing experience to local families and Bond students.

While at Bond, I did an international exchange to Leiden University, the oldest university in the Netherlands. I gained enormously from studying international law in an international setting and the opportunity to live abroad helped me to better understand the world. I also participated in a Bond seasonal clerkship program with a top-tier law firm in Brisbane. This allowed me to gain practical legal skills and work on commercial transactions. Soon after graduating I also completed an internship at the United Nations in Geneva – this was the catalyst for me to join DFAT and become an Australian diplomat.

I am currently based in Canberra and responsible for developing Australia’s foreign policy for the Middle East. In particular, I work closely on issues in Iraq and Syria. In 2016, I was posted to the Australian Embassy in Baghdad and worked closely with the Iraqi Government, United Nations and NGOs to advance Australia and Iraq’s interests. My studies in International Relations and Law equipped me with skills and knowledge that I draw upon frequently in my diplomatic work. Bond also gave me broader skills in leadership, communication and critical thinking that make me better at my job.

The Bond difference is, that Bond is not just a university it’s a community. Students don’t only enrol in a degree when they start at Bond, they sign up to an experience. They are prepared to try new things and test themselves. They want to put themselves in the best possible position at their graduation to pursue their dreams – knowing that if they make the most of what the University has to offer, those dreams might just become realities. Students go to Bond not only to get a degree but to immerse themselves in a lifestyle – one that is challenging, interesting and enriching. Bond prepares its students not only for their first job but their entire career." Show less