“Before I came to VU, I had started studying international relations at another university,” Rawan explains.
“My goal was always to transfer to law after a year. However, trying to complete four subjects simultaneously was super stressful, especially with the added two-hour commute to university every day.”
Flexible study, one subject at a time
When she discovered that VU’s Bachelor of Laws runs from our City Campus, right in the heart of Melbourne’s legal district, Rawan was intrigued.
Even better, she loved the idea of the VU Block Model – studying one subject at a time, in collaborative classes rather than big lectures, with more flexibility to balance work, study and life.
She made the move to VU, and quickly found this unique learning model was a much better match for her.
“With the VU Block Model, you focus on one subject at a time, every four weeks,” Rawan says. “It means I can put all my attention on that one subject without feeling like I’m neglecting any other subject, or having all my exams and assessments all at once.
“It helps me to stay focused and keeps stress off my shoulders.”
Practical experience that opens doors
Another reason Rawan chose VU was the strong focus on practical learning and industry experience.
“My internship at WEstjustice Sunshine Legal Centre was a 150-hour placement, which counted towards my degree,” she says.
“I got exposure to things like client phone calls and bail hearings, drafting documents, becoming familiar with briefs and clients, and professional work culture.
“Friends at other unis were worried about entering the workforce, not knowing how to apply their degree. But I felt more confident; I knew employers look really favourably on this type of firsthand experience.”
Launching a law career with purpose
After finishing her Bachelor of Laws, Rawan completed her Practical Legal Training (PLT) and was admitted as a legal practitioner in October 2022.
She’s now thriving in her first graduate solicitor role at the Law and Advocacy Centre for Women, a community legal centre that supports women who are in or at risk of entering the criminal justice system.
"What really keeps me going is my culture and my family,” Rawan says. “My parents were immigrants from Sudan and Egypt; they worked hard and brought us to Australia when I was five.
“They’ve given my siblings and me the education and opportunities that they never had, and I want to keep making them proud.”
