Alumnus Fradinta Laksmita: ‘Finance affects almost every part of life’
Fradinta Laksmita came to Leiden in 2023 for the Advanced Master Law & Finance during her sabbatical. She has since returned to Jakarta and now works as an associate lawyer at Dentons. ‘My best memory was actually going to class.’
You followed an Advanced Master. How different is it to a regular master’s or bachelor’s?
The Advanced Master’s programme was quite different from my bachelor’s in Jakarta. It offered a far more interactive and practice-oriented approach. Unlike the largely one-way lectures of my bachelor’s, classes in Leiden were small, with around 20 students. This allowed genuine two-way discussions, making learning engaging, critical and directly relevant to real-world practice.
What made you choose Leiden ?
I’d always wanted to pursue a master’s in the Netherlands, partly due to the historical ties between Indonesia and the Netherlands. Some of my colleagues at Dentons had also studied at Leiden University, which inspired me to explore its programmes.
What ultimately made me choose Leiden Law School was the programme itself. The Advanced Master in Law & Finance is specifically tailored, with a well-structured, integrated curriculum focused on the intersection between law and the financial sector, exactly the area I wanted to specialise in.
How did you find studying in Leiden as an international student?
I really enjoyed studying in Leiden. I made friends from around the world, many sharing my interest in the financial sector. Since my programme was internationally oriented, there were few Dutch students, so my exposure to Dutch culture was limited. That was perhaps the only minor downside. Overall, it was a very positive experience.
Could you tell me more about your current position? What is it that you do?
I’m currently an associate lawyer at Dentons HPRP in Jakarta, specialising in banking, finance and venture capital. I’d been with the firm before taking a sabbatical to pursue my master’s degree in the Netherlands: they held my position while I studied in Leiden and I returned after graduating. It’s been about a year since my return and I now work as a mid-level associate. Hopefully, soon I’ll get promoted to senior associate.
What do you find the most interesting or valuable aspect of your job?
When I first started as a lawyer, I wasn’t sure which field to specialise in, but early involvement in banking and finance transactions sparked my interest in the sector. Finance affects almost every part of life, and in my role I get to work on projects with real impact. For example, I recently helped a major Indonesian real estate company secure a large syndicated loan from one of the country’s biggest state-owned banks to fund housing projects in rural areas.
The work can be demanding, especially when preparing documents under tight deadlines, but I really enjoy the negotiation process. It’s where you must protect your client’s interests while reaching a fair agreement. That combination of challenge, impact, and interaction is what makes the work so rewarding for me.
What’s your best memory from your time in Leiden?
One highlight was working with my thesis supervisor, Bart Joosen. He was incredibly supportive and clear in his teaching. He guided me through my research on climate-related risks in the banking sector, a topic he was very knowledgeable about, and his insights really helped me develop my ideas. My best memory was actually going to class. I don’t think I ever missed a class, because I enjoyed the discussion so much.
What advice do you have for our current students?
My advice to current students, whether international or not, is to really enjoy your time at Leiden. The master’s programme is intense and only one year long, with many deadlines, assignments, exams and a thesis. I sometimes focused so much on completing everything perfectly that I forgot to enjoy the experience. Looking back, I wish I had found a better balance between studying and fully experiencing life at the university. Be present and make the most of the year: it really does fly by.
Please note: the current name for this programme is International Financial Law (Advanced LL.M.)
