Xenia Makridou
LLM Corporate & Commercial Law, 2018-19
Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) Candidate, City, University of London, 2019-20
"At first glance, one may wonder how a corporate and commercial lawyer ended up on Beecken Faith & Leadership. I remember second-guessing myself while applying for it – will I have enough time to engage with it alongside my other law-related commitments? How relevant is it for my purposes?
Growing up in Cyprus, a divided island, conflict resolution should have been at the forefront of my education. But it was not. I had not had the opportunity to study different religions other than the one I was taught since birth: Orthodox Christianity. The programme was the ultimate opportunity for me (and I did have enough time for it).
I could not be looking back at this experience with more zest and pride. The programme was not only extremely welcoming and absorbing, but also incredibly educational and eye-opening. My biggest take-away is one of the greatest lessons I have received to date. This is that we must recognise that what we think or believe or know, may be - and often is - different to what ‘the other’ thinks or believes or knows; one should never assume anything of ‘the other’ before speaking with them, learning from them, and truly understanding them. If you are considering applying for the programme, take my advice, go for it, you will cherish it!"