Hi! My name is Tosja and I am a graduate of the Governance and Law in Digital Society LLM taught in Leeuwarden at the University of Groningen's Campus Fryslân. What interested me in pursuing this programme is that topics of digitalization and cyber-security are important in almost every area of society. After finishing the programme, there seemed many opportunities to contribute to the various social areas involving technology and administration. There is much to discover in this rapidly changing field, which feels like you can really make a difference! With regards to what got me more excited about the GLDS programme, is that it addresses these topics mentioned from various angles and academic disciplines. Students with a variety of backgrounds can apply to the programme and complete a Pre-LLM if not directly admissible, which means there can really be a lot of interesting discussions and conversations during class from students with different discipline backgrounds.

For example, I have a bachelor degree in sociology, which meant that I needed to follow the special (https://www.rug.nl/rechten/education/international-programmes/llm/applicants-with-non-law-bachelors-degrees/pre-llm-governance-and-law-in-digital-society) law focused  Pre-LLM for GLDS to gain admission to the programme. By completing the Pre-LLM programme and then moving directly into the GLDS master programme after, I had the opportunity to develop myself within another academic field. I found it fascinating to look at social issues from another perspective. While my bachelor was focused on research and studies about human behavior, the Pre-LLM programme taught me more about the existing legal rules and issues in society. I find both of these perspectives essential in tackling social problems we face in society. It was challenging in a positive way, especially as it helped me find new ways of studying and learning new skills, such as learning how to use the rule of law and getting to know legal jargon.

After graduating from GLDS, I started working at the Dutch Ministry of Internal Affairs and Kingdom Relations as a Cyber I-Trainee. The multidisciplinary way of thinking that I developed especially during my Pre-LLM period, really helped me to get a better understanding of the context and themes within my work. So, if you want to broaden your horizons, I would definitely recommend pursuing a Pre-LLM and the Governance and Law in Digital Society LLM!

Tosja Selbach, Netherlands, Governance and Law in Digital Society graduate

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