Experiential learning makes difference for Schulich School of Law Student
Roisin Boyle (BA’16) wanted an education experience that would enable her to have an impact. In choosing Schulich, she found internship opportunities and alumni support that made all the difference for her.
By Mark Campbell
After earning an undergraduate and master’s degree in English, Roisin Boyle (BA’16) realized two things: it was hard to find a job based on her studies, and she had a desire to do something with more societal impact.
“During my master’s, I was interested in how issues such as mental health and addiction were represented in the books that I read,” Boyle recalls. “I started thinking about how society looks at these challenges and realized it was mainly through the lens of criminalization. I thought about how I could make a difference in how we address these issues and law school seemed to be the natural next step for me.”
For Boyle, there was never any question as to where she was going to explore that interest. The Schulich School of Law was the only law school she applied to. As a Halifax resident, it offered Boyle a way to remain connected to her community. Furthermore, her brother, Jim (MPA’16, JD’16), had talked favourably about his experiences at Weldon. “There was also the draw of working with the Dalhousie Legal Aid Service, which is well-regarded, but the main appeal for me was that it was an excellent program,” she says.
But over the course of her studies, Boyle would discover something else that made Schulich the right choice: the Dal alumni community’s commitment to enhancing the educational experience for students like her.
A meaningful experience
Boyle’s first year was not without its challenges. It coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant that courses and socializing were mainly conducted online. But Boyle constantly felt supported by and connected to her instructors and her peers. She also found an opportunity to explore her interest in criminal justice in summer 2021 through an internship with the Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia. A charitable organization, the Society is dedicated to improving the lives of marginalized groups of identified women, girls, and non-binary and gender-diverse individuals who have been let down by broken systems that perpetuate inequality.
After a year of online instruction, the ability to access experiential learning through this internship was invaluable and welcome for Boyle. Equally welcome was the support of alumni through the Dalhousie Fund, which was key to making this internship happen.
“The Society does not have the resources to hire interns on its own,” Boyle explains. “Through the Fund and the generosity of Dalhousie alumni, I got the opportunity to do real legal work for the first time in a role where I could see the different impacts for the individuals I was helping. It was a meaningful experience, and the Dalhousie Fund made that possible.”
Grateful for alumni support
Alumni donors also made it possible for Boyle to take on a second internship in summer 2022, this time with The Restorative Lab. The Schulich School of Law-based lab is working toward a restorative approach to justice to protect the health, safety and well-being of people and communities across Canada. Boyle says her internship provided vital insights as to a bold new approach to criminal justice and potential opportunities to advance her career.
“Like the first internship, this experience enabled me to become part of the criminal law community in Halifax and make connections that will be very helpful for working in the areas that interest me such as non-profits and criminal defence,” Boyle says. “This is why the Dalhousie Fund is so impactful. Instead of taking the first internship opportunity that came along or rushing to earn my degree so I could pay down my student debt, I was able to explore my passion in ways that made me feel happy and fulfilled. I believe that these experiences will make me a better lawyer.”
Currently in the midst of a semester at Dalhousie Legal Aid Service, Boyle is excited about her future. She sees restorative justice as the most viable direction for her career but is open to other opportunities to make a difference. “Whatever direction I choose, my experiences through Schulich and my internships will be invaluable both in advocating on behalf of my clients and effecting change in the criminal justice system,” she says.