Exploring Law and Life in South Africa

Spring Break is often associated with rest and relaxation, but some students use the holiday to step out of their comfort zones and pursue new experiences. This March, a cohort of Rutgers Law School students embraced such an adventure through a travel course titled South African Constitutional Law, which brought them to South Africa during Spring Break to explore the intersections of law, history, and society through direct interactions with students, attorneys, judges, activists, and local communities. 

Under the guidance of Professor of Law Stacy Hawkins, students spent the months leading up to their trip studying the nation's rich history, the creation of its constitution, and contemporary legal issues encompassing health, human rights, and socioeconomic development. “One of the things students commented on most was how well-prepared they were to engage with all of the historic sites and educational visits,” says Hawkins. “It entirely shifts how they experience South Africa to be so immersed in learning about the country’s history and its legal system before traveling. It offers them a much deeper and more meaningful experience.” 

During their 12-day journey through Johannesburg and Cape Town, students visited courts, nongovernmental organizations, museums, and universities. Along the way, they learned about the law and culture of South Africa from attorneys at the Equal Education Law Centre, academics at the University of the Western Cape, and advocates from the human rights organization Section27. A highlight of the trip was meeting with five justices from South Africa’s Constitutional Court, who generously shared insights into landmark cases the students had studied in class. 

Beyond gaining a unique legal perspective, students immersed themselves in South Africa’s vibrant culture and complex history. From experiencing the breathtaking vistas of Table Mountain to shopping at local markets, exploring Kruger National Park, and visiting powerful historical landmarks like Robben Island—where Nelson Mandela and many others were imprisoned—each experience underscored an element of South African life or history.  

For Rutgers Law 2L student Jamie Zimmerman, one concept particularly resonated—the idea of Ubuntu, summarized as “I am because we are.” “Ubuntu emphasizes our shared humanity and the importance of community and empathy in achieving true justice,” she says. “This trip has ignited my passion to pursue a foreign clerkship in South Africa’s Constitutional Court, inspired by the lessons of justice, humility, and gratitude that I now carry with me.”