By Abimbola Amaye, LL.M. Candidate (Schulich School of Law), Current VP Finance (Dalhousie CLF)*
“To me, DCLF was far more than just a student fellowship. It was a place where I grew in faith, found encouragement, and blossomed with new ideas. It was the light I needed in what had initially felt like a very dark season. CLF was my family when I had none.”
my dclf testimony
I arrived in Halifax, Canada, on September 1, 2024, to begin my Master of Laws program at the Schulich School of Law.
Like many who leave their homes to study abroad, I thought I was ready. But the reality of arriving in Canada was far different from what I expected. On my very first day, I experienced culture shock. It was a public holiday in Canada, so almost all businesses were closed. The streets looked unfamiliar, and I saw people from so many different cultural and racial backgrounds. Instead of excitement, I felt quite nervous, naive and unsettled.
The first night was especially hard. I had left behind my wife and three children in Scotland to chase this dream, and as I lay in bed, doubts filled my heart. “Did I make the right decision? Should I have stayed with my family? Can I really do this alone?” At one point, I even thought about catching the next flight back. I woke up in the middle of that night feeling as though I was living a nightmare.
“I came to Canada as a stranger, unsure and weighed down with doubt. But through DCLF, I found a family, a community, and a safe haven that reminded me of God’s faithfulness. For that, I will always be grateful.”
Part of the struggle was that coming to Halifax was a last-minute decision. I hadn’t had time to plan properly or research how to settle in. To make matters worse, the one person I thought could help me, chose to step back, leaving me to figure things out on my own. In those early days, I felt like I was stumbling around in the dark. It was quite a painful experience. Even though I had more than enough funds to take care of all my needs, I felt like I was in a strange land and had made a wrong decision.
The Turning Point
During orientation week at Schulich School of Law, different student clubs and societies showcased and exhibited themselves. I remember seeing the Dalhousie CLF (DCLF) stand and I walked straight to the table and introduced myself. I filled out the form placed it on the table and a day or two later, I received an email about the first fellowship meeting for the academic year.
Dalhousie CLF law students at an event with Prof. Olabisi D. Akinkugbe, Prof. Robert Currie, and CLF Special Advisor and Director of Operations, Ruth Ross (Dal Law, Class of ‘75).
That first meeting changed everything. I met new JD students and also the then-president of the DCLF (Donna Mbamy-Conci), whose warm welcome made me feel at ease. For the first time since arriving in Canada, I felt I had found my place. From that day forward, DCLF became like my home away from home.
The fellowship meetings quickly became my safe and happy place. They were spaces where I could open up freely without fear of judgment. Whenever I was weighed down by the loneliness of being away from my family, I brought my burdens to the fellowship. We prayed together, and I found strength until my family was finally able to join me.
To me, DCLF was far more than just a student fellowship. It was a place where I grew in faith, found encouragement, and blossomed with new ideas. It was the light I needed in what had initially felt like a very dark season. CLF was my family when I had none.
Service in the Fellowship
In time, I also had the privilege of serving. I took part in programs and even helped organize activities. One memorable moment was when the former president asked me to serve as co-treasurer. At first, I was hesitant, but she encouraged me with the words: “You will gain valuable experience in doing this.” She was right. That role taught me how to raise funds for projects creatively. Later, when I became president of the Dalhousie Law Graduate Society (DLGS), those same skills helped me raise more funds than expected for our annual graduate law conference. What I learned in DCLF equipped me to lead well beyond the fellowship.
My Experience and A Note of Encouragement
What touched me the most, however, was the sense of family within DCLF. Although many members were Canadians, we all came from different heritages and ethnic backgrounds. Yet, in every gathering, there was unity, love, and respect. Age, background, or academic level never mattered; everyone was treated equally and made to feel at home. That inclusiveness gave me peace and reminded me of the beauty of God’s kingdom.
Law school can often feel overwhelming. Between deadlines, heavy readings, and the pressure to perform, it’s easy to feel lost. But DCLF became my refuge. It was where I could step away from the stress, reconnect with God, and draw encouragement from brothers and sisters in Christ.
“To anyone considering joining or already a part of a CLF law student chapter, I want to say this: give yourself the chance to be part of something bigger than yourself.”
Looking back, I can see just how much DCLF has shaped and helped my journey. It was a place where I not only found safety and comfort, but also where I grew spiritually, socially, and professionally. I met so many people and built up a network, and a strong Christian base I could count on for prayers, love and support. In fact, that is the whole essence of Christianity: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2, ESV).
As my time in Halifax continues, I know I will always carry the blessings of DCLF with me. Soon, I will be graduating and leaving the DCLF, but I will continue to be a part of the family of CLF. Once you have experienced this kind of love, you remain connected no matter where life takes you.
I came to Canada as a stranger, unsure and weighed down with doubt. But through DCLF, I found a family, a community, and a safe haven that reminded me of God’s faithfulness. For that, I will always be grateful.
DCLF was, and will always remain, my safe and happy place.
To anyone considering joining or already a part of a CLF law student chapter, I want to say this: give yourself the chance to be part of something bigger than yourself. You will find a community that supports you, prays with you, and celebrates you. You will find friendship, guidance, and a place where you can grow in every way, spiritually, personally, and professionally. Step in with an open heart, and you may just discover your own safe and happy place, just as I did.
*Abimbola Amaye is an LL.M. Candidate at Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University. His research focuses on Climate Change Laws and Policy and International Trade and International Environmental Laws.
Abimbola is a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, where he excelled academically, earning multiple awards. He furthered his education at the Nigerian Law School, earning a Barrister at Law (B.L) certificate, and pursued an MBA (Marketing) at the University of Lagos and also obtained an MSc degree in International Economics and Social Justice from the Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland, U.K.
Abimbola has received specialized training from Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A.; Lagos Business School (Pan Atlantic University), Lagos, Nigeria; Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, U.K., London Graduate School, U.K; and a host of other notable institutions. He has over 15 years of active law practice with early dedication to pro bono legal services, particularly representing wrongfully incarcerated indigent clients. Over time, his focus expanded into corporate and commercial law practice, with eyes now on the big picture: policy formulation and implementation on national and international levels on climate and trade related policies.
Learn More
To learn more about CLF’s law student ministry, please visit christianlegalfellowship.org/students, or email vclemence@christianlegalfellowship.org.