From country life to world travel for law student

As a young girl growingupin Western Queensland,Cassie Heaslip dreamt of life beyond her small country town.

“I was alwaysdreaming of bigger things,’’ the Griffith Universitystudent says.

With science as her firstlove, Cassie enrolled in a Bachelor of Science at Griffith.

“I neverevenconsidered studying law but on the first day of university was introduced to the subject Environmental Sustainability and it changed my life.

“I was chatting with astudent adviserwho suggested I study law if I wanted to help change the world.”

So,after completing a year of science, Cassieadded law as a double degree.

Now inher fourth year,shewill combine her twin passions of environmental sustainabilityand lawwhen she heads to Bangkok this month for a six-week internship withEnerGaia, a companyspecialisingin producing fresh and sustainable spirulina.

“EnerGaiaalso has sites in Singapore and Bangladesh and is setting up in the Solomon Islands as well as negotiating with the US, Australia and France,’’ she says.

“My role will involve negotiating international contracts, trademark applications, patenting and governance.”

An added bonus, she says, will be the inevitable product sampling. “I love spirulina and have been taking it for years.”

Cassie won’t have much time to rest when returns from Bangkok before embarking on her next adventure.

This time traveling on a cargo ship from Fremantle to Singapore then flying to Austria for an international litigation, arbitration and mediation course withthe Australian Institute of Management for three weeks.

“I discovered a passion for maritime law this year and have just completed an intensive course. I want to immerse myself in the industry and thought maybe I can travel to Singapore on a cargo boat and turns out I can!

“The experience of being on the cargo ship will give me an insight into maritime law in practice. I will probably bug the crew a lot and ask them many questions!The course in Austria will be another great experience and opportunity for me to do some more travelling.

“Science was my first passion but now I love law. It governs the world, if you understand how laws are made, you can understand how the world works.”

Cassie said one of the highlights of studying at Griffith was the industry engagement, community internships and mentoring programs.

“Griffith is a really welcoming environment. I never felt like there were any limitations on what I can do.Overall, the Griffith experience has been incredible.”