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转载巴塞罗那大学IELPO项目Co-Director的回信

Dear Shi Shuai,
 
In Professor Torrent's absence, allow me as Co-Director of the IELPO LL.M. Programme to try to address your many excellent questions.
 
First of all, allow me to say congratuations on gaining acceptance to the programme, a privilege not given to all applicants, so we would of course be delighted to count on your presence in Barcelona next Fall as we are keen to attract more students from China's leading universities.
 
Your mail raises many valid concerns about a new programme in a country with which you may be less familiar. On the city itself, there is really little to say other than to note that Barcelona is widely agreed to rank among the world's most interesting and vibrant cities, a dynamic place where art, history, architecture old and new and fine food combine in a truly unique manner. 
 
On the course itself, it is taught exclusively in Engish by many of the world's top experts in their fields, such that speaking Spanish or Catalan is not needed for your studies. Barcelona is a university town with many young people, and so getting along in English is quite easy, though I am sure your experience here would interest you in learning some Spanish. There is no need to speak Spanish as a condition for receiving a Spanish student visa.
 
As for work-related matters, the LL.M. is meant to be a professional degree, preparing participants for exciting careers in international law and policy, in private practice, in leading international organizations like the WTO or in national governments. The degree itself does not and cannot guarantee employment, nor does the student visa you would get qualify you automatically to work in the EU, something that is reserved to EU citizens and thus affects all non-EU students in the programme. But the same would be true of the United States or Canada or Australia, such that if a firm or organization wishes to recruit you after the LL.M., it would be up to them to help you secure the required work permit.    
 
As regards living costs, our estimate is that students should plan for roughly 1000 Euros/month of living expenses over and above tuition fees. Of course these amounts can vary if you share an appartment with other students and pool resources for food and the like.
 
The quality of the IELPO faculty is what really makes the programme unique in our view. Nothing matches this strength anywhere else. Being exposed to, and getting to know, the very best professsors around is a truly unique opportunity that is bound to challenge you but also open new horizons and contacts. We assume that several of our students will be tempted to pursue their studies at the PhD level, and expect that their contacts with our faculty will help shape such decisions.
 
You ask what the IELPO Alumni are doing right now. That is a question I cannot possibly answer as the Class of 2008-09 will represent our very first intake. So it is people like you, if you come, that will form our first group of alumni, and it will be interesting to see what you become after the programme.
 
I hope this note helps you make an informed decision. What are the schools you are considering other than the Barcelona IELPO programme?
 
Do not hesitate to contact me should you have further questions. We are always happy to try to help you out as best we can and hope that you will decide to join the IELPO experience next Fall.
 
Kind regards,
 
Pierre Sauvé
Co-Director
IELPO LL.M.

读完这封长信真的不知该如何抉择了。但既然题目写了vs，便要以一定篇幅来给LSE以位置。这正是怨念了一年多的LSE的offer pack，躺在手边有种种不舍。