Isaiah

How are you finding UC’s Faculty of Law?

We have an awesome Faculty at the Law School here. In particular, one of the first year course coordinators makes an effort to remember names, which is quite a task with hundreds of new students each year, and he talks to you as if he's known you for years. Having lecturers I can talk to has made it a lot easier for me to settle into life at UC as a law student.

What do you find unique about UC’s law programme?

The Dean of Law and the rest of the Faculty create a whole hands-off, no pressure environment that encourages students to do their best and put their best foot forward. There’s a clear attitude and focus from the Faculty to be aware of the pressures of law, and to not put more pressure on students.

And how’s campus life in general?

One of my favourite things about UC life is going to different places and running into different people. I see friends that are studying different things all around campus. It’s convenient, I’m not going out of my way to catch up with friends. It’s all central, you don't have to put in a lot of effort to see people.

You’re half Malaysian and half Māori. Does that factor into your uni experience?

I feel both in my heart, and that’s been present in approaching my law degree. At times, it’s been easy to separate my academic and cultural pursuits, but dealing with them together helps me achieve both and feel more connected with both. I’m really grateful for that. I think if I’d gone anywhere else it may have led to a permanent benching of some things. I feel truly honoured to carry forward the legacy of my bloodline.

Have there been any clubs that have contributed to that journey?

I used to feel more Asian than Māori, but my involvement in law through LAWSOC, the UC Law Students’ Society, connected me to Te Pūtāiki - the Māori Law Students Association - and from there, other Māori rōpū. I feel very blessed to get to kōrero with others who don’t study law, because they’ve had a different journey. It’s been really good in terms of reconnecting with my whanaungatanga. I also reach out to the Maōri student support services for tautoko when I need it.