Oscar Chambers

Oscar read BA (Honours) Chinese Studies (with a Year Abroad), focusing on Mandarin Chinese and graduating in June 2022

Please tell us a bit about what you do now 

I am currently studying for an LLM in Legal Practice (SQE 1 & 2) at the University of Law, preparing for my qualification exams next year. Should everything go as planned, I aim to start with my new firm in September 2025.

What did you do on your year abroad? 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my year abroad during 2020–2021 had to be completed remotely. Fortunately, I had secured a place at Peking University, which was well-prepared for the transition to virtual learning. Given the time difference between China and the UK, my classes ran from around 2am until midday. This unusual schedule allowed me to use the rest of my day productively, despite the challenge of limited sleep.

During this period, a fellow Chinese Studies classmate, Daniel Shulakov, and I noticed the increasing tension in the dialogue between China and the West, which was only exacerbated by the pandemic. We both felt that as students, we might be able to contribute to a more balanced perspective. I wondered whether organising community events could foster a more nuanced understanding of China and help address the rise in anti-Chinese sentiment.

In response, we co-founded the Chinese Film Week in January 2021. The initiative involved a series of community events in Durham, culminating in a Chinese-language film festival, which ran in May 2022. Although I had no prior experience in organising film festivals, I took on the challenge, researching how to manage such an event, building a team of like-minded individuals, and consulting industry specialists for guidance. We also engaged with local cinemas to secure venues for our screenings.

The hard work paid off, and the festival became the largest student-led Chinese-language film festival in the UK, attracting a diverse audience and garnering positive media attention. As a result of our efforts, I was honoured to receive the Modern Languages and Cultures Student Engagement Award for my contribution to Durham University's modern languages community.

What did you do after leaving Durham? 

After completing my degree, I transitioned from languages to law and took up a role as a paralegal at a boutique litigation firm, specialising in commercial disputes and complex financial crime proceedings for Chinese ultra-high-net-worth clients. Alongside this, I pursued full-time studies in the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) conversion course while continuing to apply for training contracts. Despite my passion for litigation and the Chinese element of my work, my aspirations were set on broader international legal practice. After two years of perseverance, I successfully secured a training contract with a leading global law firm, primarily focusing on M&A, corporate, and structured finance. As my new firm recruit two years in advance, I used this time to further develop my legal expertise and case experience before embarking on my current LLM programme.

How did your studies prepare you for what you do now? 

My studies at Durham provided me with a broad set of skills that have been key to shaping my approach to the legal profession. One of the most significant takeaways was the ability to think laterally. The nature of my degree encouraged me to view problems from different perspectives, a skill that has proven crucial when tackling complex legal issues, particularly in commercial disputes and corporate transactions.

Cultural sensitivity was another major aspect of my education. Understanding the nuances of different cultures is invaluable when working with clients from around the globe. The ability to navigate these cultural differences effectively has helped me establish stronger relationships with clients, anticipate their needs, and ensure smooth communication in an international legal context.

Moreover, the emphasis on clear and effective writing during my studies is something that continues to serve me every day. Whether drafting contracts, legal briefs, or correspondence, the precision and clarity with which one communicates can often be the difference between success and misunderstanding. The bilingual aspect of my degree—balancing English and Mandarin—has honed my ability to adapt my communication style depending on the audience, ensuring that complex ideas are conveyed in a manner that is accessible and professional.

Overall, my time at Durham not only provided me with specific technical skills but also instilled a mindset of adaptability and growth—qualities that I believe are essential for a dynamic and successful career in any field.

What is the most important piece of advice you'd like to give to students of Modern Languages? 

One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is that “passion” is not something you find, but something you create. Learning a language is hard—and “hard” does not always feel good. As a student of Modern Languages, you will face days where you struggle to understand complex grammar, feel stuck in your progress, or doubt your ability to ever achieve fluency. But that is exactly what makes it worth it. Language learning is challenging, but the more difficult it feels, the more rewarding it becomes when you push through. Most people give up when it gets tough, but if you persevere, you will set yourself apart.

Embrace the challenge as part of the journey—whether mastering tones in Mandarin or grappling with cultural nuances. The key is to keep going, knowing that each hard-won step brings you closer to fluency.

There are no shortcuts to any place that is worth going.

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