{"id":109646,"date":"2024-05-02T16:08:18","date_gmt":"2024-05-02T20:08:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/?post_type=bu-article&#038;p=109646"},"modified":"2024-05-14T12:47:37","modified_gmt":"2024-05-14T16:47:37","slug":"tobias-keil","status":"publish","type":"bu-article","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/record\/articles\/2024\/tobias-keil\/","title":{"rendered":"Building a Family Far from Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\t<div class=\"wp-block-editorial-leadin record-block-editorial-leadin is-style-side-by-side has-media has-wider has-box has-media-focus-center-middle has-primary-theme\">\n\t\t<div class=\"container-lockup\">\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-leadin-media\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"1005\" height=\"1256\" src=\"\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/Keil_Tobias-1.jpg\" class=\"\" alt=\"Tobias Keil\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/Keil_Tobias-1.jpg 1005w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/Keil_Tobias-1-509x636.jpg 509w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/Keil_Tobias-1-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/Keil_Tobias-1-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/Keil_Tobias-1-661x826.jpg 661w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/Keil_Tobias-1-546x682.jpg 546w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/Keil_Tobias-1-826x1032.jpg 826w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/Keil_Tobias-1-275x344.jpg 275w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/Keil_Tobias-1-423x529.jpg 423w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/Keil_Tobias-1-551x688.jpg 551w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/Keil_Tobias-1-847x1058.jpg 847w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/Keil_Tobias-1-800x1000.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1005px) 100vw, 1005px\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"container-words-outer\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"container-words-inner\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-prepress-tag\">LLM in American Law<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"head\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBuilding a Family Far from Home\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"deck\">Tobias Keil (LLM\u201924) goes the extra mile to create community for the American Law Program.<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<div class=\"wp-prepress-component-metabar record-prepress-layout-metabar\">\n\t<div class=\"wp-prepress-component-metabar-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-prepress-component-metabar-date\">May 2, 2024<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-prepress-component-metabar-credits\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul data-credit-type=\"By\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/record\/authors\/sabrina-molinaro\/\">Sabrina Molinaro<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-prepress-component-metabar-share js-bu-prepress-share-tools\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"icon-twitter\"><span>Twitter<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"icon-facebook\"><span>Facebook<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"icon-action\"><\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-editorial-introparagraph record-block-editorial-introparagraph is-style-dropcap-outlined has-dropcap has-dropcap-color-primary\"><div class=\"wp-block-editorial-introparagraph-content\"><p>This year, 144 legal practitioners from around the world came to Boston University School of Law to study in the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/academics\/find-degrees-and-programs\/masters-llm-programs\/llm-in-american-law\/\" target=\"_blank\">LLM in American Law Program<\/a>. For many, a new life in the United States can be a daunting adjustment. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/tobias-keil-82575715b\/?originalSubdomain=de\" target=\"_blank\">Tobias [Tobi] Keil<\/a> (LLM\u201924), who traveled from his home country of Germany, took it upon himself to help ease the transition through organizing informal gatherings with his program peers.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWith forty-two nations represented in our LLM programs,&nbsp;our goal is always to bridge community across countries,\u201d says <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/profile\/maureen-t-leo\/\" target=\"_blank\">Maureen Leo<\/a>, director of international graduate programs&nbsp;at BU Law. \u201cStudent leaders like Tobi who serve as natural ambassadors of good will and connection have been integral to achieving this goal.&nbsp;Tobi is respected by his professors, admired our staff, and beloved by his peers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As we approach the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/about\/offices\/communications-marketing\/commencement\/\" target=\"_blank\">Commencement of the Class of 2024<\/a>, <em>The Record<\/em> sat down with Tobias to learn more about his time at BU Law and what motivates him to bring people together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a record-block-editorial-q-and-a has-primary-theme\"><div class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-title\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-title-heading\">Q<span>&amp;<\/span>A<\/h2><h4 class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-title-subheading\">with Tobias Keil (LLM&#8217;24)<\/h4><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-question\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-name\">The Record:<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\"><strong>What brought you to BU Law?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-answer\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\"><strong>Tobias Keil<\/strong>: The main reason is Maureen [Leo]. BU was one of two law schools that had real interviews\u2013\u2013the others just sent you the admission letter. But Maureen took the time to talk with me and it made me feel like this was a place where students are really supported.<br>&nbsp;<br>Then also, the program itself, the variety of courses you can choose from, and the city too. I\u2019m from Germany, and I didn\u2019t want to have a crazy culture shock. But Boston feels like the most European city in the US, and I\u2019m a huge winter sports fan, so it didn\u2019t take long to feel that, even though it\u2019s a different city, it\u2019s the same surroundings.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-question\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-name\">The Record:<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\"><strong>You\u2019re known as someone who brings people together outside of the classroom. What does that mean to you and how do you balance that with your academic obligations?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-answer\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\"><strong>Tobias Keil: <\/strong>There are a lot of things you can do that are really appreciated by people that take a tiny little effort. Like creating our WhatsApp group. I asked if people wanted to meet on a regular basis, and now we get together every three weeks. We first met as a group of about eighty at Time Out Market and continue to get together at other venues.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.14.39_21baf781-1-1024x771.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-109652\" width=\"519\" height=\"390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.14.39_21baf781-1-1024x771.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.14.39_21baf781-1-636x479.jpg 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.14.39_21baf781-1-768x578.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.14.39_21baf781-1-1536x1157.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.14.39_21baf781-1-2048x1542.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.14.39_21baf781-1-1097x826.jpg 1097w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.14.39_21baf781-1-906x682.jpg 906w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.14.39_21baf781-1-1371x1032.jpg 1371w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.14.39_21baf781-1-1754x1321.jpg 1754w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.14.39_21baf781-1-457x344.jpg 457w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.14.39_21baf781-1-703x529.jpg 703w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.14.39_21baf781-1-914x688.jpg 914w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.14.39_21baf781-1-1405x1058.jpg 1405w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.14.39_21baf781-1-1812x1364.jpg 1812w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.14.39_21baf781-1-1328x1000.jpg 1328w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.14.39_21baf781-1-1600x1200.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 519px) 100vw, 519px\" \/><figcaption>LLM Students at Time Out Market | Photo courtesy of Tobias Keil<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a record-block-editorial-q-and-a has-primary-theme\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-answer\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\">Sometimes when balancing everything in my life, my sleep suffers [<em>laughs<\/em>], but it\u2019s worth it. It\u2019s so nice to have the community\u2013it\u2019s why I came to BU. Everyone knows each other, but it doesn\u2019t happen overnight, you need to spend time together. So, I always felt that it\u2019s a good thing to give a little of your personal time to get everyone together.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-question\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-name\">The Record:<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\"><strong>Did you have a favorite professor at BU Law?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-answer\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\"><strong>Tobias Keil: <\/strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/profile\/stephen-m-donweber\/\" target=\"_blank\">Stephen Donweber<\/a>. I had contracts with him, and he did a mock class during orientation where you felt that he was going to really take care of us. Especially on the first class, the first semester, when you don\u2019t have a clue how university life is going to be in the US. But he makes himself and the class approachable and it\u2019s so comforting.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-question\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-name\">The Record:<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\"><strong>What\u2019s next for you after graduation?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-answer\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\"><strong>Tobias Keil:<\/strong> Luckily, I went home for Christmas and was able to interview in person in Frankfurt and will be a trainee at <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.announcingaoss.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">A&amp;O Shearman LLP<\/a>. I will also be working on my doctorate at <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.uni-wuerzburg.de\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\">University of W\u00fcrzburg<\/a>, focusing on criminal law.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-question\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-name\">The Record:<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\"><strong>Beyond school and your career, can you share with us some of your hobbies?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-answer\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\"><strong>Tobias Keil: <\/strong>Despite all these professional pursuits, music is the biggest part of my life. I started playing the piano when I was five years old, then the violin, the organ, and I taught myself to play the accordion. I am also a choir conductor. It\u2019s a big lift, especially the conducting. But I don\u2019t hesitate to put a lot of time into those things because it gives you so much back.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/20240424_195635-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-109650\" width=\"577\" height=\"324\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/20240424_195635-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/20240424_195635-636x358.jpg 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/20240424_195635-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/20240424_195635-1536x865.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/20240424_195635-2048x1153.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/20240424_195635-1200x676.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/20240424_195635-992x558.jpg 992w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/20240424_195635-1500x845.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/20240424_195635-1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/20240424_195635-500x282.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/20240424_195635-1000x563.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/20240424_195635-1984x1117.jpg 1984w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/20240424_195635-1628x917.jpg 1628w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/20240424_195635-1600x900.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/20240424_195635-1366x768.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/20240424_195635-1280x720.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/20240424_195635-854x480.jpg 854w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 577px) 100vw, 577px\" \/><figcaption>Tobias Keil (LLM&#8217;24) at choir rehearsal | Photo courtesy of Tobias Keil <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a record-block-editorial-q-and-a\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-answer\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\">I also love running to help balance all of the sitting I do while studying. Without running, I can&#8217;t learn. It helps me to relieve stress and clear my head.<br>&nbsp;<br>And there\u2019s Fastnacht, or \u201ccarnival,\u201d a big celebration in Germany. My whole family is involved, and I have been performing on stage at carnival since I was six years old. Now I am in a <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/huebschebuebsche\" target=\"_blank\">traditional carnival band<\/a> with friends, and we write and record our own songs. It\u2019s so nice to see something that started with one tiny idea and now our music is on <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/artist\/3QyIBUNdKOZnHaj6G1E5TS?si=w2VVBL6QSc2QpH9eVH02zQ&amp;nd=1&amp;dlsi=bbac962f6a7648da\" target=\"_blank\">Spotify<\/a>, or I\u2019ve played in front of 9,000 people.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.12.36_91411cbf-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-109674\" width=\"502\" height=\"377\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.12.36_91411cbf-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.12.36_91411cbf-636x477.jpg 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.12.36_91411cbf-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.12.36_91411cbf-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.12.36_91411cbf-1101x826.jpg 1101w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.12.36_91411cbf-909x682.jpg 909w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.12.36_91411cbf-1376x1032.jpg 1376w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.12.36_91411cbf-459x344.jpg 459w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.12.36_91411cbf-705x529.jpg 705w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.12.36_91411cbf-917x688.jpg 917w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.12.36_91411cbf-1411x1058.jpg 1411w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.12.36_91411cbf-1333x1000.jpg 1333w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.12.36_91411cbf.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 502px) 100vw, 502px\" \/><figcaption>Eric Rantelili (LLM&#8217;24), Jo-Ming Sun (LLM&#8217;24), Tobias Keil (LLM&#8217;24), Tengwen Liang (LLM&#8217;24), Nai-Feng Liu (LLM&#8217;24), Yen-Ning Chen (LLM&#8217;24), Yu-Chieh Cheng (LLM&#8217;24), Fahramars Engelhardt (LLM&#8217;24), Aysegul Ozmen (LLM&#8217;24), Oumayma El Adaoui (LLM&#8217;24), and Marcos Duelo (Fall\u201923 LLM Exchange Program) on a group run | Photo courtesy of Tobias Keil<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a record-block-editorial-q-and-a has-primary-theme\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-question\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-name\">The Record:<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\"><strong>What will you remember most about your time at BU Law?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-answer\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\"><strong>Tobias Keil: <\/strong>The people. Maureen said in orientation that the time will pass by so fast, and in the beginning, you say \u201cyeah, yeah, we still have a year.\u201d But then the second semester hits, and then it\u2019s spring break, and then here you are. The people, which are like your second family now, you\u2019ve spent so much time with them, suddenly it\u2019s over.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a record-block-editorial-q-and-a has-primary-theme\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-question\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-name\">The Record:<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\"><strong>Do you have any advice for incoming students seeking community here?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-answer\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\"><strong>Tobias Keil: <\/strong>From the very first second, connect with people. Create a WhatsApp group and text, \u201cI&#8217;m here. Do you want to go out and do stuff?\u201d. The more you can bond with people, especially those not from your own home country, and be open minded about everyone, the better your time with the program will be.<br>&nbsp;<br>And don&#8217;t always talk to the people you already know. So many times, I felt I was settled, and then I met someone new and thought, \u201cThis person is super cool, it\u2019s so sad I didn&#8217;t find them earlier.\u201d Even if you&#8217;re more introverted, try to go out to events and speak with people, because they are also looking for friends.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.22.26_6b858499-1-769x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-109679\" width=\"445\" height=\"593\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.22.26_6b858499-1-769x1024.jpg 769w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.22.26_6b858499-1-478x636.jpg 478w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.22.26_6b858499-1-768x1022.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.22.26_6b858499-1-621x826.jpg 621w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.22.26_6b858499-1-512x682.jpg 512w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.22.26_6b858499-1-775x1032.jpg 775w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.22.26_6b858499-1-993x1321.jpg 993w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.22.26_6b858499-1-258x344.jpg 258w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.22.26_6b858499-1-397x529.jpg 397w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.22.26_6b858499-1-517x688.jpg 517w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.22.26_6b858499-1-795x1058.jpg 795w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.22.26_6b858499-1-1025x1364.jpg 1025w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.22.26_6b858499-1-751x1000.jpg 751w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.22.26_6b858499-1-600x800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/05\/WhatsApp-Bild-2024-04-21-um-11.22.26_6b858499-1.jpg 1079w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 445px) 100vw, 445px\" \/><figcaption>Nai-Feng Liu (LLM&#8217;24), Wanchun Liao (LLM&#8217;24), Zil Shah (LLM&#8217;24), Nidhi Shah (LLM&#8217;24), Fahramars Engelhardt (LLM&#8217;24), and Tobias Keil (LLM&#8217;24) kayaking in the Charles River | Photo courtesy of Tobias Keil<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-editorial-event-details record-block-editorial-event-details has-end-date has-location-icon\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Event\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-editorial-event-details-title\"><\/h3><article class=\"wp-block-editorial-event-details-article\"><div class=\"wp-block-editorial-event-details-more-info\"><h4 class=\"wp-block-editorial-event-details-event-title\" itemprop=\"name\">Commencement 2024<\/h4><p class=\"wp-block-editorial-event-details-description\" itemprop=\"description\">The Class of 2024 celebrates its graduation.<br><br><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/about\/offices\/communications-marketing\/commencement\/\" target=\"_blank\">Event info<\/a><\/p><p class=\"button wp-block-editorial-event-details-calendar-link js-block-editorial-event-details-add-to-calendar\"><\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-editorial-event-details-date-location\"><time class=\"wp-block-editorial-event-details-date\" itemprop=\"startDate\" content=\"2024-05-19T09:00:00-04:00\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-event-details-month\">May<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-event-details-day\">19<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-event-details-time\">9:00 AM<\/span><\/time><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-event-details-date-span\">to<\/span><time class=\"wp-block-editorial-event-details-date\" itemprop=\"endDate\" content=\"2024-05-19T11:00:00-04:00\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-event-details-month\">May<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-event-details-day\">19<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-event-details-time\">11:00 AM<\/span><\/time><p class=\"wp-block-editorial-event-details-location\" itemprop=\"location\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Place\"><span itemprop=\"address\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/PostalAddress\">BU Track &amp; Tennis Center<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/article><\/div>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a record-block-editorial-q-and-a\"><\/section>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories is-style-card has-three record-block-editorial-relatedstories\">\n\t\t<h3 class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-title\">Related<\/h3>\n\t\t<ul class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"1005\" height=\"1256\" src=\"\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/CrysalHsu.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Crystal Hsu (&#039;25)\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/CrysalHsu.jpg 1005w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/CrysalHsu-509x636.jpg 509w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/CrysalHsu-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/CrysalHsu-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/CrysalHsu-661x826.jpg 661w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/CrysalHsu-546x682.jpg 546w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/CrysalHsu-826x1032.jpg 826w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/CrysalHsu-275x344.jpg 275w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/CrysalHsu-423x529.jpg 423w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/CrysalHsu-551x688.jpg 551w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/CrysalHsu-847x1058.jpg 847w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/04\/CrysalHsu-800x1000.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1005px) 100vw, 1005px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-category\"><span>Student Life<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/record\/articles\/2024\/breaking-law-review-barriers\/\" class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-title-link\">Breaking Law Review Barriers<\/a><\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-date\">April 26, 2024<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"1400\" height=\"788\" src=\"\/law\/files\/2024\/03\/Record-Header_AntiracistLawyeringMar24-3.png\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Detail of a mosaic quilt\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/03\/Record-Header_AntiracistLawyeringMar24-3.png 1400w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/03\/Record-Header_AntiracistLawyeringMar24-3-636x358.png 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/03\/Record-Header_AntiracistLawyeringMar24-3-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/03\/Record-Header_AntiracistLawyeringMar24-3-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/03\/Record-Header_AntiracistLawyeringMar24-3-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/03\/Record-Header_AntiracistLawyeringMar24-3-992x558.png 992w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/03\/Record-Header_AntiracistLawyeringMar24-3-500x281.png 500w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/03\/Record-Header_AntiracistLawyeringMar24-3-1000x563.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/03\/Record-Header_AntiracistLawyeringMar24-3-1366x768.png 1366w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/03\/Record-Header_AntiracistLawyeringMar24-3-1280x720.png 1280w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2024\/03\/Record-Header_AntiracistLawyeringMar24-3-854x480.png 854w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-category\"><span>Critical Race Theory<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/record\/articles\/2024\/antiracism-practicum\/\" class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-title-link\">New Practicum Builds on Antiracism Efforts at BU Law<\/a><\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-date\">March 29, 2024<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"720\" height=\"432\" src=\"\/law\/files\/2023\/04\/150th-class-banner_720.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Black and bronze text on a white background reading: The 150th: The Class of 2023 is ready to make its mark.\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2023\/04\/150th-class-banner_720.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2023\/04\/150th-class-banner_720-636x382.jpg 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/files\/2023\/04\/150th-class-banner_720-500x300.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-category\"><span>Student Life<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/record\/articles\/2023\/the-150th-class\/\" class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-title-link\">The 150th Class<\/a><\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-date\">April 19, 2023<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This year, 144 legal practitioners from around the world came to Boston University School of Law to study in the LLM in American Law Program. For many, a new life in the United States can be a daunting adjustment. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20326,"featured_media":109647,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"bu_prepress_billboard":"","_bu_prepress_primary_term":"LLM in American Law","_bu_prepress_primary_term_manual":""},"tags":[802,1860],"bu-publication":[3742],"record-article-category":[4135,3786,3758],"record-topic":[],"bu_edition":[],"media_type":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-article\/109646"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-article"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/bu-article"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20326"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=109646"}],"version-history":[{"count":43,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-article\/109646\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":110029,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-article\/109646\/revisions\/110029"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/109647"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=109646"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=109646"},{"taxonomy":"bu-publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-publication?post=109646"},{"taxonomy":"record-article-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/record-article-category?post=109646"},{"taxonomy":"record-topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/record-topic?post=109646"},{"taxonomy":"bu_edition","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu_edition?post=109646"},{"taxonomy":"media_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media_type?post=109646"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}