MEET YUSUR DALLOUL – LAW GRADUATE, VOLUNTEER AND AVID TRAVELLER 
11 October 2020
Originally from Palestine and having lived in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates for most of her life, for Yusur Dalloul coming to Belfast was always going to be a whole new experience but, as she tells her alma mater, it was a good one.
“My experience as an undergraduate student was phenomenal! When I received my offer to study Law at Queen’s with a scholarship, I was both overwhelmed and a little unsure whether I should accept the place, being an international student” said Yusur.
Before coming to Northern Ireland Yusur attended the International School of Choueifat in Dubai from 2003-2017, where she excelled earning many diplomas and certificates.
During her first year, she involved herself with many different aspects of University life. She was elected as the first-year course rep for the School of Law and enjoyed the many changes she witnessed from the time she arrived in Belfast until her graduation day. Yusur describes watching a group of students and educators – working together to make the learning environment a better place for all – as ‘truly satisfying’.
The Literific
Around the same time Yusur also got involved in the University’s famous student debating society, The Literific, a hugely appropriate forum to hone the oratory skills she will undoubtedly require in her future career. She opened for the opposition in her maiden speech on November 28, 2017, when the motion was "This House Believes All Mental Illness is Curable".
“During my first debate, I was super nervous and shy, and I would be lying if I said I don’t feel like that every time I go up to speak!” said Yusur.
“However, I have come to learn from debating at Queen’s for the past three years that when you get feelings such as nervousness before an audience, you are probably about to express a wonderful speech that the audience has yet to hear, and that you are to deliver.”
After completing first year, Yusur volunteered with the University’s Raise and Give (RAG) Society for a trip to Nepal. Having spent much of her free time during the year fundraising for the journey, all the hard work – right up to and including her last day in Nepal – proved to be hugely worthwhile. From the experience of teaching English at a Nepalese school, to the people she met while in the country, it was an unforgettable experience.
But that wasn’t the only trip she took during the summer recess. With an eye to her future career, Yusur also booked her place on a number of Law city tours in September 2018.
“I had the privilege of being part of the London Law Workplace Tour, where I had the opportunity to visit and engage in the work of the top global corporate law firms in London.
“This very much suited my background as who knows where I will be in 5 years with my passion for travelling. That same summer I was also accepted onto the Dublin Law Tour with Hunter Savage.
InnovateHer
In second year at Queen’s, Yusur was selected to participate in InnovateHer – a unique extra-curricular enterprise support programme for female students to encourage entrepreneurial thinking – run in partnership with Women in Business Northern Ireland, and PwC Northern Ireland.
“During my time with InnovateHer, my most unforgettable memory was that our cohort was able to participate in the Conflict Resolution Workshop held by the William J Clinton Leadership Institute at Queen’s, and what a wonderful learning experience that was to gain!
“And at the end of the InnovateHer programme, I was delighted to be nominated as ‘InnovateHer of the Year’ by a teammate that I worked with for our Social Enterprise idea.”
During her second year, Yusur became treasurer of the UNICEF on Campus Society and also got involved with mooting – the oral presentation of legal arguments against opposing student counsel, in front of an adjudicator. This not only gave her an authentic and first-class court-like experience but it resulted in her competing in the finals of the Philpot Curran Moot at Queen’s and, subsequently, at Maynooth University outside Dublin against other Law students from universities across the island of Ireland, where she and her moot partner finished in first place.
A further opportunity came Yusur’s way in second year, this time thanks to someone she met on the London Workplace Tour.
Passion for mediation
“I was persuaded to join the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) society, where I gained a real passion for mediation.
“Throughout my time in ADR, I participated in internal competitions at Queen’s where I made it through to the semi-finals. Sponsored by law firm Herbert Smith Freehills, I also got the chance to attend the finals at their Belfast offices.
“As a result of being involved with ADR in second year, I was elected treasurer for my final year studies.”
Yusur rounded off her second year with the ‘Careers in Law’ Insight programme in Belfast, exploring the legal field in the city she has ‘called home’ for almost four years.
Before starting final year Yusur decided to take up an internship at White & Case LLP in Dubai in July 2019, giving her a chance to put into practice some of her knowledge of the different fields of UK and Irish corporate law, an experience she describes as ‘very rewarding’ and ‘time well spent’.
And she still found time for some more travelling before returning to Belfast.
Human rights and social justice
“I spent some of my summer in South Africa with the Law Society working on human rights and social justice issues. This was a very different experience from the corporate world, and is a field I have always – and will always – be hugely passionate about.”
As a direct result of this trip and her other voluntary experience, Yusur was chosen to be the Head Charity Officer for Queen’s Law Society, supporting the Children’s Law Center in Northern Ireland as the society’s main donation recipient for the Annual Christmas Charity Gala. They also raised funds for Groundworks in Northern Ireland – an organisation working towards a greener and more sustainable future – at their annual Law Ball.
Throughout her Queen’s undergraduate degree Yusur Dalloul has successfully sought out opportunities to develop herself both personally and professionally in the legal field and beyond. Never shy of undertaking new challenges or participating in – and in many cases leading – several student clubs and societies, she also followed her passion for travel, resulting in a very packed and fulfilling three years.
Graduating this summer with a 2:1 LLB (Hons), the obvious question now must be what happened next? Yusur explains.
“Because of my wonderful undergraduate experience at Queen’s, I decided to continue my law journey within the postgraduate school at Queen’s by completing an LLM in Human Rights Law, with a scholarship.
“I am forever grateful for all the opportunities that have come my way and am looking forward to taking on the many challenges I have no doubt will appear in my future.”
Read more about Queen's University Belfast's partnerships with universities in Dubai and Jordan.
To submit a graduate news item, or for general enquiries about this story, please contact Gerry Power, Communications Officer, Development and Alumni Relations Office, Queen's University Belfast or telephone: +44 (0)28 9097 5321.
Photo credit: Yusur Dalloul
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