Josanne’s journey

Let alone, be a part of its success in winning a prestigious award for college-based, law advocate groups throughout the United Kingdom.

Under Harper’s stewardship as president, the society won the Best Pro Bono Activities title in LawCareers.

net’s Student Law Society Awards 2017 in March - a feat which cemented the organisation’s status as one of the leading pro bono societies. The society received the award because of the range of opportunities it offered to students.

Harper, 22, is justifiably proud, saying she had always wanted to enjoy a multifaceted experience at university.

The experience, she said, also reinforced the importance of volunteerism in broadening the human experience.

“I think it’s very important to remember that there’s a whole world that exists outside of our individual bubbles. For some that bubble is the local community, for some the country,” she said in a phone interview from London.

“But in giving back, whether it is in a small way or more extensively, we will not fail to enhance our human experience.” Harper, who hails from Manzanilla, a largely agricultural district in east Trinidad, is no stranger to helping others.

At her alma mater, St Augustine Girls High School, she volunteered at the Wendy Fitzwilliam Paediatric Hospital, Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope.

“That was an eye-opening experience I would not have otherwise had.” Noting that the school’s principal had always stressed the importance of holistic development, Harper said she has since sought wholeheartedly to make volunteerism a part of her life.

“I will always advocate for volunteerism because I believe so much of what is important to our education and personal development is to be learnt outside the confines of academia.” Still, Harper never dreamt she would be a part of London Pro Bono Society, a valued and respected organisation that has positively impacted the lives of students since its inception a decade ago.

“When I left Trinidad I could not have predicted this specific reality. However, I always intended to make the absolute best of my opportunity to study abroad.” Apart from King’s College standing as a prestigious university and in the legal community, consideration of the professional networks available to her by its extra-curricular activities factored heavily in Harper’s choice of university.

“Additionally, academic pursuits have never been my sole focus, and I intended to further diversify my experiences at university.” Founded in 2007, the society targets a diverse range of interest areas, catering to law, nonlaw, undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Backed by its watchwords--- for the public good---the society’s activities are intended to directly assist students and the wider community. The society presides over seven initiatives, not the least of which is its human rights project (HRP).

Last year, the HRP hosted an internship fair which allowed organisations to present themselves to students showcasing viable alternatives to corporate opportunities.

The programme also sourced internships to provide student assistance to law firms engaged in pro bono work and human rights non-governmental organisations, while also providing students with meaningful work experience.

Harper said she has interacted with students of varying nationalities, cultures and socio-economic backgrounds but has never felt intimidated by them.

“I am certainly proud of my accomplishments when I think of my origins and the way in which I am positively representing my country, and village,” she told Sunday Newsday.

“However, I think what is most striking to me is the fact that at no point have I ever felt less qualified or at a disadvantage as compared with my peers. At a pre-eminent university like King’s, with top talent from around the world, it is fantastic to see that the playing field is completely level.” Harper said an individual’s roots should never prevent them from striving for success.

She recalled that in 2015, as the guest speaker at Manzanilla Government Primary School’s graduation, “the one thing I was sure to emphasise to the graduating class was that I grew up just around the corner, and that all the opportunities I had taken advantage of were equally available to them.” “I think it’s a privilege that I am in a position to demonstrate to children from my community that big aspirations are to be encouraged and with the right amount of dedication and focus, any of them can land leading roles they have dreamed of,” she said of her graduation address.

Harper received a national open scholarship in 2013 but took a year off before starting her law degree in 2014.

She described as “quite inorganic,” her appointment as the society’s vice-president in her second year at the college in 2015.

“Initially, I saw it as a fantastic opportunity to build my CV, which at the end of my first year of university was devoid of any substantive legal experience; aside from the open days and workshops I had attended at firms in the city.” She revealed, though, that after the first year juggling her studies with her desire to explore the UK, “I was a bit startled to hear of some of the extensive legal work experiences of my colleagues.” “In retrospect, I can say my priorities were exactly as they should have been, but at the time, I felt I needed to catch up and felt legal volunteerism was the best route. As it turned out, pro bono came to mean a great deal more to me than a CV-filler. “ Harper deeply appreciates her time at King’s College.

“Life at King’s has certainly lived up to expectations.

I am at a worldclass institution where the quality of instruction and the resources cannot be disputed.

But more importantly, in terms of life experience, throughout my time here I have enjoyed diversity.” Aside from being a member of the college’s Mountaineering Club and Muay Thai Society, Harper also worked as a brand ambassador for Linklaters, one of five Magic Circle law firms, head-quartered in London.

Linklaters allowed her to enjoy musical theatre on the West End, steward the London marathon and travel throughout Europe “which was my main motivation for choosing to study in London.” Harper’s position also enabled her to develop “fantastic links” with the faculty and staff. She has spoken at several open day, undergraduate and postgraduate inductions and welcome ceremonies.

Harper regards herself as a competent multi-tasker.

“The busier I am, the more productive I am able to be; somehow my outputs are markedly higher when I have more on my plate. It has really been a matter of making realistic to-do lists and seeking to accomplish as much as I can in a day. I generally do not let unique opportunities pass me by so I find it hard to say no with regards to some of the requests that come my way.” On occasion, though, Harper has found it necessary to delegate responsibilities within the society. Despite her experiences, Harper has no immediate plans to continue her education at King’s and is exploring her options.

She also has not decided on a career.

“In terms of my future profession, the answer is a bit more amorphous as I still have not entirely decided what I would like to do for the rest of my life. When I was younger, I would readily say I intended to be a lawyer, but as for now, I am more interested in broadening my horizons.” Harper is intent on returning home and into the arms of her family, later this year.

Please note, consult with your healthcare provider prior to performing any exercise.