On 18^th March, 2020, Moon Chun Memorial College, University of Macau and the Association for the Promotion of Public Legal Awareness jointly led a delegation of 20 law students to visit the Macao Lawyers Association. The delegation was warmly received by board members Chang San Chi and Susana de Souza So. The President of the Association for the Promotion of Public Legal Awareness, Mak Heng Ip, and Resident Fellow, Hong Ieng Wai, also participated in the exchange.

During the meeting, Chang introduced the organizational structure of the Lawyers Association and the requirements for legal practice. He encouraged students to make good use of summer internships to gain practical experience and apply their academic knowledge to real‑world legal work. So further explained the pathway to becoming a lawyer and the details of the qualifying examinations. Drawing on her own professional experience, she encouraged students to engage actively in academic discussions with professors and peers, deepen their understanding of the spirit and purpose underlying legal provisions and strengthen their professional aspirations. Mak remarked that the visit helped students gain a clearer understanding of legal practice and supported their career planning. Hong added that the College values the integration of academic learning and practical experience, and hopes that such visits will help broaden students’ professional horizons.

The meeting was conducted in both Cantonese and Portuguese. During the interactive session, students enthusiastically asked questions and exchanged views with the lawyers on career prospects and internship arrangements. Several participants shared that the visit gave them a more concrete understanding of legal practice and strengthened their determination to pursue a career in the legal field.

“My visit to the Macao Lawyers Association was a valuable opportunity to gain insight into the formation of lawyers in Macao, as well as the rigorous process and dedication required to pursue this career. In particular, I came to better understand the years of preparation needed for the bar examination, along with the extensive hours of training and coursework required to first attain trainee lawyer status.” ─ Cátia Tatiana

“In the past, I always felt that examinations and the study of law were ‘a solitary battle’. When faced with difficult problems, I tended to work through them on my own, quietly bearing the pressure. However, the lawyers’ sharing helped me realize that legal learning has never been a lone endeavor. By working with classmates to organize legal provisions and exchange perspectives, we can not only support one another but also broaden our horizons and deepen our understanding through the collision of ideas.” ─ Vaness Sin

“As a third-year law student, it is truly an honor to have had the opportunity to engage in in-depth discussions with experienced lawyers and to explore the career prospects of law students, particularly at such a crucial stage of academic and professional development. The insights shared by the two lawyers provided me with a clearer direction for my future career path.” ─ Oscar Wang