Opening Doors to International Opportunities — Our Cooperation with Project Access

Hannes Snellman has been cooperating with Project Access Finland, a non-profit organisation helping underprivileged students gain access to top universities, since 2020. The organisation’s annual Bootcamp is held at our office and helps students navigate the path to studying abroad through guidance, mentoring, and practical support. As a Finnish law firm working in an international environment, we know first-hand how valuable international experience can be and are proud to support Project Access in helping students explore opportunities to study abroad.

Studying abroad can be exciting, rewarding, and life-changing, but it can also feel overwhelming. Questions about applications, finances, moving abroad, and adapting to a new environment can make the path seem difficult to navigate.

For this article, we spoke with Isioma Ify, a law student at King’s College London, who participated in the Project Access Bootcamp, as well as four of our lawyers who completed their legal education abroad: Aleksi Maunumäki, who studied law at Uppsala University; Samuel Hardy, who completed degrees at the University of Hull and University College London; Roosa Raikko, who studied at Lancaster University and Santa Clara University School of Law; and Hennu Malmi, who completed her studies at Maastricht University and Lund University.

What Can Studying Abroad Teach You?

A common theme across all interviews was the opportunity to broaden your horizons, both academically and personally.

“I was interested in an international legal career and wanted to study law in English,” says Isioma, who is currently studying at King’s College London.

For Hannes Snellman’s lawyers, international studies offered access to different legal systems, academic cultures, and ways of thinking. Several describe the experience as transformative, not only for their careers but also for their personal development.

While the academic experience varies between the UK, the US, Sweden, and the Netherlands, the lessons learned are remarkably similar. The interviewees highlight independence, adaptability, resilience, and critical thinking as some of the most valuable skills developed through studying abroad.

As Isioma puts it: “You need critical and independent thinking, flexibility, and perseverance. Being open to new experiences and conversations is important because friendships and opportunities often come from spontaneous encounters.”

Roosa Raikko notes that one of the biggest lessons was learning to embrace uncertainty:

“I learned to adapt, figure things out without a manual, and become genuinely comfortable with uncertainty.”

Different Perspectives Make Stronger Teams

One of the themes that emerged repeatedly is the value of different educational and cultural backgrounds in professional life. Samuel Hardy believes that people who have studied in different countries often bring fresh perspectives and a greater ability to work across cultures and jurisdictions.

Hennu Malmi also highlights the value of stepping outside your comfort zone, noting that studying abroad can develop your adaptability and ability to work with people from very different educational, cultural, and professional backgrounds. She points to how this diversity can play out in legal thinking:

“One thing that stayed with me from studying in Maastricht was how often the best solution to a legal problem emerged not from the person who knew the most but from someone who framed the question differently because of where they came from or how they had been taught to think.”

These perspectives are increasingly valuable in legal work, where clients, transactions, and regulatory questions often extend beyond a single jurisdiction.

Not all surprises are academic. Roosa recalls being surprised by how quickly she built a community abroad:

“During my first days at Lancaster, I couldn’t have imagined that I would end up making friends I would live with for all three years.”

What Advice Would You Give to Someone Considering Studying Abroad?

While everyone’s journey is different, the interviewees’ advice is consistent.

1. Start early.

Several interviewees emphasise that preparing a strong application takes time. Beyond grades, applicants should research programmes carefully and think about how their academic interests and career goals fit the universities they are applying to.

Samuel underlines the importance of preparation: “Start early and manage the application as a serious project. A strong application is not based on grades alone. It’s important to understand why you’re applying and how the programme fits your goals.”

Doing your research in degree progression and recognition requirements — alongside practicalities like housing — is also a good idea.

2. Talk to people who have already done it.

Whether through Project Access, social media, alumni networks, or friends, speaking to current students can provide practical insights that are difficult to find in official materials.

For Isioma, Project Access played a crucial role: “I gained peer support and advice from people who were already studying abroad. Most importantly, I found friends and a community.”

Dina Pöllänen, Head of Team at Project Access Finland, sees this as one of the organisation’s most important goals:

“Many talented students have the potential to study at leading international universities, but they might lack guidance, networks, or simply the belief that they belong there. At the Bootcamp, our goal is to bring current Finnish students from these top universities into one room with the next generation to prove that this path is entirely possible, inspire them to see their own potential, and give them the practical tools to get there.”

3. Be prepared for challenges, but never let them stop you.

Moving to a new country, adapting to a different academic culture, and managing practicalities independently can feel daunting at first. However, many interviewees note that these challenges are also what make the experience so rewarding.

Aleksi Maunumäki encourages students not to dismiss the idea too quickly: “It can feel safer to choose the most familiar path, but oftentimes stepping outside that comfort zone is where you learn the most.”

As Isioma puts it: “If it is possible for you and financially realistic, I would definitely recommend it. You can always come back, but studying abroad is a rare opportunity to grow and become independent very quickly.”

Experiences like these are the reason why we value our cooperation with Project Access Finland. Studying abroad is not the right path for everyone, but having access to information, guidance, and role models helps students make informed choices about their future. Through Project Access, more students have the opportunity to explore those possibilities and decide which path is right for them.