Loyola is a little piece of paradise. My favorite thing about it is the physical space. The campus is beautiful, blending old-school charm with modernity. It is also abundant in nature: flowers that perfume the air, trees that change with the season and beautify the scenery. There’s a water fountain where you can sit to relax, study or chat. Entering from the busyness of LA, it just feels like walking into a little oasis.

My favorite times are the weekends when I come to campus to study.  I enjoy the library’s peace and quiet, which offers comfortable spaces. During breaks, I can step outside to soak up some sun or—my favorite—play table tennis while listening to music.

Of all the places on campus, the library is by far my most loved. They even provide a sewing kit for emergencies: I once had to sew a button before my final presentation for Trial Advocacy. We could also check out remotes to play games on the Student Lounge TV. Speaking of the student lounge, it’s a great spot to store food, have study groups, play chess, or shoot pool.

At the library, I encountered the tangible support I needed. However, it was truly the school staff that made me feel at home. The level of care you’ll experience at Loyola is genuinely unique. From the security staff, to the professors, to the library and administrative staff, everyone goes above and beyond to make things easier for you. I’ve never experienced anything like it!

There are so many wonderful things to see and do at Loyola, but, by far, its biggest secret are all those who make it what it is: the people.

When I came to Law School, I had a really clear picture of what I wanted to do: become a trial attorney in the United States. A step towards that goal was, obviously, passing the bar. I was still in doubt about whether I would go Civil or Criminal. Criminal law seemed like a daunting undertaking at that time. Based on my background, I chose Civil Litigation and Advocacy. This would allow me to grasp the litigation landscape in the US, aligning with my career goals.

Regarding the lectures, I faced time constraints because my program – LLM for Foreign Trained Attorneys – is shorter than a JD Program. Additionally, I had not gone through the traditional Law School timeline. I had a lot to cover, so I considered mostly two things:

(1) I knew that I would have to go through the Bar Prep course regardless, so, for the Bar Courses, I would focus only on those I needed to cover for my degree.

(2) I wanted practical experience that would prepare me for my career.

When choosing a class, I looked at its description. If I had more than one option, I would look at the Professor’s CV, career, etc. Lastly, I would talk to colleagues and ask which classes they took, which professors they liked, and why. It was all about looking to the skills I would obtain from which class and who I could learn the best from.

Last, but not least, I considered which classes I would enjoy the most. Law School is hard work. Adding fun and enthusiasm to it makes it very enjoyable. I’ve loved all the classes I’ve taken so far and some of my professors continue to inspire me, long after the classes are over.

Each semester brings a new set of challenges and a sense of adventure and excitement because of the classes and professors I’ll meet throughout the weeks.

No man is an island. There is a lot of talk and myths about the cutthroat environment that you can encounter in Law School. I cannot attest to that. When I came to Loyola, I felt welcomed. All my professors were extremely supportive, my colleagues were inviting and friendly, the staff was just phenomenal from admission throughout the semester.

I’ve observed how study groups have fostered amazing bonds among many of my colleagues throughout – not only the school years – but also after graduation. Personally, I’m a solo study person. I am a slow learner and I like to take my time with the research I need to really get the material.

I was never in a study group, but I paired with friends – especially for writing assignments. I had colleagues review my papers, give me feedback, guide me through Table of Authorities etc. I’ve received nothing but support whenever necessary, from both students and professors.

In Law School, practice is key. For example, my Civil Procedure Professor would offer to read our essays from the book and give us feedback, which was very helpful. I would usually stay after class and often go to office hours with questions that I had about the subject.

I would also re-watch lectures on the subjects, which was a great way to identify my strengths and blind spots.

Law School really is your reign. It’s the place to learn about the law and yourself. Whether with solo study sessions or study groups, you can experiment and see what works for you. The fact you will find support no matter what you choose is comforting and sets you up for success.

 

Happy New Semester!

After a month-long break from school, coming back to campus is so invigorating! Especially, when coming back to a schedule filled with subjects I’m very excited to learn about – something you can easily do at Loyola!

My Fall 2023 semester was very demanding, pushing me more than any other. I tend to focus on practical and lecture classes, making both the exam season and the preceding period, filled with papers and presentations, quite nerve-wracking. I had a tough Criminal Law exam, but overall, I am very happy with my grades and how much I have improved after my last semester.

During my winter break, I travelled back to Brazil to spend a month with my family. It was amazing and I had so much fun! We had a family trip to the northeast of Brazil, where you can find beautiful beaches. This was the best beach I’ve been to: warm and not-so salty waters.  I highly recommend it!

 

 

This is a picture of a very famous tourist place in Downtown of Porto de Galinhas, Pernambuco and our hotel at Cupe Beach.

The quality time I shared with my family was such a gift. This was the first real break I gave myself after starting Law School. I took time off from all activities – a TRUE vacation. I steered clear of law-related activities, focusing only on planning my calendar and organizing my weekly study schedule.

Having down time and a mental break from all demands of Law School/Bar Prep made a lot of difference. This true vacation, a blend of relaxation and family time, has not only recharged me but also given me a renewed zeal to embrace the challenges of law school. I feel ready to conquer this new semester!

 

During the summer of 2023, I went back home to visit my family. I have been living in Los Angeles for the past two years and thus the summers have gained a special meaning. This is the time when I reunite and enjoy my family.

This summer was especially significant to me as it was the first summer that I got to spend time with my father after his surgery. He is in the course of cancer treatment. Needless to say, these months have been emotionally difficult. As an international student attempting to migrate to the United States, my – seemingly – selfish journey has been topped with guilt for being away during such a challenging time.

For this, I spent my summer with my dearest ones. Indeed, the time I’ve spent away has made my heart grow fonder. The sweetest moments felt even more precious with the looming thought that my time with my dad might be limited. Even though I’ve always known that, his disease made it more real.

I am now back to school and devoting myself to my academic endeavors once again. However, a piece of my heart remains with my family. The same heart that is comforted by the hope of spending my next summer with my family, once again.