Synergy #33 Spring edition 2003 - European Law Students ...

will have wasted a lot of then be stranded
after using a lot of energy getting to know
you.
Want to settle abroad – here are some tips
from Christian:
* Just do it!
* The first months will be tough and you will
miss friends and family, but you have a unique
opportunity to prove yourself and demonstrate
that you are capable of handling a very
stressful situation.
* Remember to keep in touch with previous
employers and your social network, so that
you have the possibility to return home and
find a job.
* When you are outside your own country,
take a critical look at it and see if it really is
as good as you remember it. Going abroad
will expand your horizon and solutions that seem
obvious at home might seem strange in a
different light. You will be in for a surprise.
10
– My ELSA experience has taught me
that people have different background
and agendas, but that through
co-operation and understanding you
can find solutions that will be good
for the larger group.
Blaz Golob (34) from Slovenia has lived for
two years in Seville, Andalusia together with
his wife Sabina, daughter Mia (3 years) and
son Mark (1 year and a half). Blaz works as a
National Detached Expert for the European
Commission Research Institute (IPTS). He
worked for the government of Slovenia and
was involved in network activities on the
debate on Future of Europe and EU
Enlargement. The project was co-ordinated
by the Commission and at the end of it, Blaz
was asked to come to Seville. He now works
on analysis of policies and institutions of the
future EU member states.
When asked whether this is his first
expatriate job, Blaz answers: It is my second
job abroad. My first job was working for ELSA
International in Brussels in 1996 with great
people the so-called “96 dream-team”
consisting of, Ligia (Portugal), Jennifer (USA/
Germany), Marit (Norway), Tommaso (Italy),
Juan (Spain) and Luigi (Italy/Croatia). My first
task was to take care of the garden in the
Magazine of The European Law Students’ Association
ELSA House at Boulevard General Jacques
239, my second was being the president of
the greatest association in the world – ELSA.
Heart of Spain
Blaz admits to no culture shocks – with
Flamenco, Sevillianas dance, Feria de Abril,
Triana, tapas bars, Cruzcampo, Calle Betis,
Ciudad Expo, siestas and fiestas - only
challenges. Andalusia is the Spain of Spain.
Many of the typically Spanish things originate
from Andalusia. The presence of Arabic
(Moorish) culture is incredible and more
than evident today. Sevilla as such has also
it’s own spirit and the way of doing things.
– Things we miss from Slovenia the city
of Ljubljana, skiing, family, friends. Nevertheless
friends and family come to visit us
and we feel sometimes that we have a hotel
with all the visitors we get. Together with my
family we are looking forward to going back
to Ljubljana after being a few years in
Andalusia. Home is still home and Slovenia is
on the move, being a young successful country
on the way to placing itself on the regional
and global stage. A lot of interesting and
exciting work is foreseen in Slovenia.
National legal education – handicap?
All three lawyers conclude that even though they
do not deal with German, Norwegian or Slovenian
law, a legal education has given a good basis.
– Law is different in each country, but
the basic principles seem to be similar
everywhere. I do not use specific knowledge
of German law, but I use by ability to analyze,
write memos, minutes, contracts and general
contractual knowledge, Susanne points out.
Christian works both with legal questions
and in policy development. The UN uses the
UNCITRAL Model Law on Contract as basis
for contracts and many of the basic principles
of contract law are used on a daily basis.
Negotiation skills are important, as well as
language. Christian also participates in policy
development and there his analytical mind is
used and he also has the opportunity to cooperate
with people from other ways of life.
Blaz believes that different subjects
teached at university are more and more
interrelated, law, economics, political science,
EC law, European affairs. He uses his basic
legal knowledge, updated to the job at hand,
LEFT: Blaz Golob together with his
daugther Mia. When moving to a foreign
country the most important thing is to
integrate into the local community. To
make friends with local people and to
enjoy local customs.
MIDDLE: Susanne Beyer-Svendsen has
lived eight years in Copenhagen. “I stay
until we decide to move – that can be
tomorrow or never.”
RIGHT: Christian Grønnerød lives in
Manhattan. From Norway, he misses the
possibility of walking almost alone on a
sidewalk on a Saturday afternoon. He does
not miss the exorbitant alcohol prices.
which at the moment is a lot of economics
and political science. As useful personal skills
– as well as basic ELSA skills – Blaz lists:
Believe in what you are doing, be able to build
your own teams, be your own advocate, be
motivated to be successful, be happy and
worry only when necessary.
Moving to a foreign country with your
significant other, husband or wife is a big
change for both of you. Finding a job for both
of you may not be easy – for example in the
US you first need a job before you can apply
for a work permit. However, you should look
at other alternatives – taking care of the
family, studying, doing voluntary work. Having
children also brings new possibilities of getting
into contact with local people. Blaz tells that
they have met their best friends through their
children – kids network.
Contact with ELSA
When asked whether these three ex-
ELSAnians come across ELSA nowadays, the
answers vary. Susanne gets invitations to
events by ELSA Denmark, but very seldom
has the opportunity to attend. Living in
Manhattan, Christian seldom gets in contact
with ELSA. But, he immediately declares that
he is very interested in the new IFP topic.
Blaz answers: with pleasure when I have
time and when I am invited. If I receive an email
request for advice or to help the local
group or any ELSA business, I give my best,
Blaz continues. He also co-operates with
International Board of ELSA from time to
time. The last concrete result was the preparation
of the 2002 BLED FORUM Declaration
on support to the establishment of the
International Criminal Court.
All three are members of ELSA
Lawyers Society. This means that they
receive regular information about current
issues in ELSA, including a copy of this
Synergy. Contact information to all ELS
members is listed in the Directory of
members, distributed to all National and
Local ELSA groups. If you are planning for
an event or project in your local or national
ELSA group – or even getting together at a
pre-Christmas dinner, have a look at the
ELS Directory and feel free to contact any
ELS member. And good luck with your plans
on becoming an expatriate yourself!