As she approaches graduation this May, Maya Kapur reflects on her transformative time at the School of Law. Her academic journey has been enriched not only by her coursework and involvement in various student organizations, but also by a study abroad experience that expanded her legal perspective beyond U.S. borders.
Throughout her time at CWRU, Kapur has been deeply involved in student organizations, serving as President of the South Asian Law Student Association and Community Outreach Chair for both the Refugee Outreach Collective and Law Students for Reproductive Freedom.
“These organizations were great to be a part of, as I got to engage in campus activities and make connections with other students,” she says.
Academically, she found Constitutional Law II with Raymond Ku to be a standout course, shaping her understanding of complex legal frameworks. However, it was her study abroad experience at Utrecht University in the Netherlands that truly broadened her perspective. Enrolled in the Law, Economics and Governance program, she tackled courses such as Advanced EU Competition Law and Economics I, Public International Law and Law & Ethics.
“Usually here in Cleveland, I spend all day at school, five days a week,” she remarks. “While studying abroad, I would only have one class a day, maybe two, and would have about four classes a week, which offered me a lot more time to study on my own. I also had a lot more time to explore and spend time with my friends. Having less time in class didn’t impact my education either, I actually thought the classes there were even more in depth and challenging!”
Her decision to study abroad was driven by a desire to compare legal systems and broaden her cultural understanding. She firmly believes that engaging with different perspectives fosters both personal and academic growth.
“It was amazing to immerse myself in a new way of living,” she shares. “It was actually difficult to come back to the US after living such a different lifestyle abroad.”
Kapur also embraced the available transit options while in Europe, traveling beyond the Netherlands. Adjusting to life in a foreign country had its challenges, particularly navigating cultural differences and the Dutch language. However, she quickly adapted and found the experience to be life-changing.
One of the most valuable lessons she took away from her time overseas was the importance of perspective. Conversations with her international peers revealed mutual misconceptions, reinforcing the idea that, despite cultural differences, people share fundamental similarities.
“Even though we all may seem so different, there are so many commonalities we can find with each other. Being open minded is what makes life interesting. Meeting new people and connecting with them is what makes us human!”
Looking ahead, she hopes to establish a career in financial or antitrust law, a field she became more familiar with during her time in the Netherlands. Her studies abroad introduced her to EU antitrust law, much of which is based on U.S. legal principles, further solidifying her interest in this area.
For prospective law students considering CWRU, Kapur highlights the university’s robust experiential learning opportunities.
“Case Western Reserve Law offers a great experiential learning program and the opportunity to practice law on campus through one of their law clinics,” she says. “Getting to study law abroad also offered me an experience most other law students do not receive. These options are great for students because they will get you more comfortable with the legal field before you even take the bar. The faculty at the law school is amazing, and they really want you to succeed.”
As she prepares to graduate, Kapur’s time at CWRU—and abroad—has not only prepared her for her legal career but has also given her a deeper appreciation for the power of law and global connection.