Guernsey’s position as a leading international financial centre caught the attention of the university back in 2017 and students have been visiting annually since then.
This year 17 students have travelled from the United States – almost twice as many as last year. For many of them this is their first time in Europe.
‘Guernsey is similar enough to the US legal system but different enough that it’s a real opportunity for students to reflect on what they’ve learned in law school back in the US,’ said Texas A&M University Professor Andrew Morriss, who first encountered the Channel Islands on stamps as a child. He said that he traces the idea of this annual trip back to his stamp-collecting days.
The students always spend a week in Jersey and a week in Guernsey and have continued the long-term project of comparing Guernsey and Jersey ice cream – a project that so far does not have a conclusion.
‘For many students this is the first comparison of any legal system outside of the US that they’ve experienced on this level,’ said Texas A&M University Professor Mark Burge.
Susan Lloyd has been involved in the trip for the past two years and has been able to show the students her film called Discover Guernsey.
‘The group is engaged which is really nice, they’re seeing leading companies on the island and leading insurance figures,’ she said.
Emma Bruney, 23, said she has enjoyed learning about the culture and history of the island.
‘Due to your size, you’ve had the opportunity to innovate a lot more and a lot quicker,’ she said. She added that the beaches were beautiful and all the students had enjoyed immersing themselves in the island.
Another student, 25-year-old Annie Brown, had never heard of the island before.
‘Guernsey is unique in how you can change regulation and move things efficiently, and how you’re flexible with people’s needs,’ she said.
She mentioned the students visited the Cock and Bull pub and got to do karaoke with the community.
‘People here do a better job of enjoying the community and taking life slowly, I hope that can help us out.’
Mr Morriss said Guernsey was a welcoming place and confirmed that the trips would continue for a while to come.
‘The students love getting out and seeing the incredible stuff as well as meeting new people.’
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