Networking, Belonging, and the Value of Events Like OITLD

For OsgoodePD LLM student Modupe Balogun, networking has been essential to rebuilding the sense of professional community she once had in Nigeria. “It creates the community that you need as an internationally trained lawyer to be able to thrive,” she explained. Back home, classmates and mentors offered support and guidance, but in Canada, that network had to be rebuilt from the ground up.

Modupe and several other OsgoodePD students recently travelled to Calgary for the inaugural national ITL Conference, Crossing Borders, Breaking Barriers. Gatherings like this – and OITLD – are ideal launch pads for growing a professional network. “Little by little, you’re able to start building that community of people that can help you really build a career and find your place in Canada.”

She described the event as “very inspirational.” It gave her the opportunity to meet people on similar paths, gain insight from speakers, and connect with legal professionals. The atmosphere also helped her open up. “It was a relaxed opportunity to let your guards down, meet new people, and really have those conversations.”

Although Modupe enjoys talking, she considers herself introverted and was nervous about attending. Having familiar faces, like Program Lawyer Michael Tam, OsgoodePD, also gave her the confidence to take part. She offered a reminder to others who may feel hesitant: “The other person also is scared to start, so why not just take a leap?”

Her advice to fellow ITLs is clear: “You need community. You need people. Just say, ‘Hi, my name is Modupe, and I would like to meet you.’”