Chloe Porter arrived at Westminster College through the Study USA exchange partnership with Queen’s University in Belfast, one of just 60 students across Northern Ireland selected for the program.  A law major from the scenic town of Enniskillen, Chloe made what she calls a “last-minute” decision to pursue law as an undergraduate degree—a path that looks quite different from the pre-law track in the United States.  After learning about Westminster at career events and speaking with students who previously participated in the exchange, she was drawn to the opportunity to experience a liberal arts education, step outside her academic comfort zone and immerse herself in a close-knit community an ocean away from home. 

How did you decide to study law? 
Law is my major at Queens University and unlike the U.S., law is an undergraduate major and has a pretty different structure compared to the pre-law track in most U.S. colleges. A law degree was a bit of a last-minute decision for me. I was considering a lot of different majors—everything from engineering to history—and decided that law was the best combination of my interests and what I was good at. This was the right decision—it has been challenging but very rewarding. I hope to qualify as a solicitor when I finish my degree.   

What were you most excited to learn and experience in the U.S.? 
I was most looking forward to studying a variety of subjects outside of my major. The liberal arts system does not exist at most universities in the United Kingdom, so we solely study classes related to our major. As much as I enjoy law, I was excited to study other subjects and classes outside of my comfort zone. I was also looking forward to meeting new people and experiencing a new culture for a year.   

What is your favorite thing about Westminster's campus and culture? 
It’s great how close knit this campus is for students. Having smaller classes makes it a lot easier to get to know people and makes the experience a lot more interactive and engaging.   

How is school different in the U.S. vs. Northern Ireland? 
There are quite a few differences between studying in the U.S. and Northern Ireland. Again, we don’t follow a liberal arts system, so you only study classes directly tied to your major. It does vary among majors, but from personal experience, I had slightly less in-person class time at home. Classes are a mix of larger, less interactive lectures and smaller tutorial classes. Assessments and assignments are less regular in Northern Ireland than in the U.S., but they are worth a large portion of your grade. For example, last year my final summer exams were worth 80% of my overall grade. Because of this, I think a little more independence is needed in the Northern Ireland/U.K. system, but it also feels less intense than the constant assignments in the U.S.

Have you encountered anything surprising about the U.S. that you didn't expect? 
Why does everybody drive a people carrier (SUVs, vans)? Bring back small cars.   

Have you had a favorite experience in the U.S. during your stay? 
Some of my traveling experiences have been a lot of fun. It's always great to visit somewhere different and meet new people. I was very excited to have a Thanksgiving dinner for the first time.

Have you had the chance to travel outside of New Wilmington? 
Yes! I’ve explored the local area as much as possible and traveled a little farther outside of campus, too. Over the fall break, I took a trip to North Carolina to meet a friend from home, which was a lot of fun. In November, some friends and I took a weekend trip to the Finger Lakes in New York. It was such a beautiful area, and it was great to visit somewhere different and new. I have a few more travel plans for this semester, which is exciting!

What clubs or organizations are you a part of on campus? 
I am part of Westminster's Speech and Debate Team, which has been both a lot of fun and challenging. I am also involved with The Gathering and Agape bible study. I have met a lot of great people through these clubs.

Is there a faculty member who has been a help to you while you have been a student at Westminster?
All of the faculty I have interacted with have been extremely helpful. I have been able to take two classes with Dr. Shannon Smithey, professor of political science, and really enjoyed them. Her classes have definitely given me a lot of useful perspectives on law and politics. 

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By Kristen Aleprete
Kristen Aleprete is a staff writer in Westminster College’s Office of Marketing and Communication. 

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