Insights From an Insider: Juhi Agrawal
Face time with your professors can let one gain a richer understanding of what’s being taught in class – as SMU Law alumna Juhi Agrawal will tell you. On top of SMU's interactive pedagogy, Juhi had various opportunities to pick up cross-disciplinary knowledge. This includes participating in SMU-X mooting courses and the SMU Legal Innovation Tech (LIT) Hackathon.
For SMU Yong Pung How School of Law alumna Juhi Agrawal, having continuous engagement with her professors and peers has elevated her learning experience at SMU.
Besides the university’s interactive pedagogy, there were plenty of opportunities for Juhi to pick up cross-disciplinary knowledge.
Read on to discover her transformative journey at SMU!
Q:
Describe an unforgettable experience at SMU.
A:
This would be participating in the 2022 SMU Legal Innovation Tech (LIT) annual Hackathon; it has led me to better understand business problems and contribute to practical solutions during my law internships.
Q:
What did you like about being an SMU student?
A:
I liked that we could expect continuous engagement with professors for up to 15 hours a week, which you don’t get anywhere else. Because of the interactive pedagogy here, we got a lot of face time with our professors to discuss questions that you might not find in books and papers.
This also meant you could get immediate feedback from peers and professors alike, which really elevated the learning process.
Q:
How has SMU challenged you both personally and academically?
A:
SMU has helped me become a more empathetic person, better at understanding different people and their backgrounds, especially through participating in the LIT Hackathon.
SMU has also driven me to critically analyse events against a bigger picture. As I discussed different topics with my peers and seniors, I was also analysing their ideas and opinions to learn from them.
Q:
Which modules have left the greatest impact on you?
A:
First, the SMU-X courses that involved mooting. In particular, the Asia Cup International Law Moot in Japan, and the Oxford Intellectual Property Moot Competition. It was a great opportunity for cultural exchange, and I got to meet many international teams and learn from them.
Second, the State Courts Clerkship Programme. I got to sit in courtrooms that most people will never see, witness litigants in action, and it really helped me see where I could step up and make a difference. I highly encourage students to actively work towards this opportunity.
Q:
You had interned at various law firms. How has SMU helped you in your internships?
A:
I can confidently vocalise my opinions thanks to what I have learnt at SMU. Even if I was just an intern, I was comfortable with taking the initiative to talk to partners to better understand the problem, rather than feeling limited to just checking in with my line manager.
Q:
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to your freshman self?
A:
Grab every opportunity that you can find. The only limit should be time. Don’t let self-doubt stop you, because you’ll be able to learn along the way.
Try also to be a pillar of support for others, and let yourself rely on others. It will help you fit into the collaborative learning environment that SMU offers, where you can learn from those around you, and make a difference with what you say as well.
