JD and LLM students build friendships through partnership program
—By Lori Craig
The second year of the USC Law J.D./LL.M. Partnership Program kicked off Oct. 22 with a lunch in Crocker Plaza.
Organized by the USC Law International Relations Organization (IRO), the peer mentorship program pairs interested J.D. and LL.M. students together.
The program helps students bridge cultural and language barriers as well as build new friendships.
“Sometimes, it’s a little hard for the LL.M. students to meet the J.D. students,” said Kana Nakako ’10, the J.D./LL.M. Mentorship chair for the IRO. LL.M. students take classes with second- and third-year J.D. students, who have developed relationships during their first year of law school. “Having an assigned partner, LL.M.s and J.D.s can talk one-on-one, so it’s a better way to build relationships.”
The personal setting also provides an opportunity for both students to practice their language skills and learn each others’ cultures, Nakako said. USC Law’s 95 LL.M. students come from 23 different countries, including Taiwan, China, Thailand, Germany, Korea and Jamaica.
For J.D. students, the mentorship program is an opportunity to develop a rapport with a practicing international attorney or businessperson.
A native of Japan, Nakako participated in the mentorship program during its inaugural year.
“I’m from Japan, so I’m an international student, but I’m also a J.D. student, so I see myself as a hybrid,” Nakako said. “With my experience from last year, I felt I could be a bridge between the two groups of students and help this program grow.”
To date, the IRO has partnered 104 students based on personal and professional interests. Many participated in the kickoff lunch, while others will meet for the first time on their own. Partners are asked to get together at least once a semester, but many choose to meet more often.
Students may continue to sign up for the mentorship program and will be matched as partners become available. Contact Nakako via e-mail.
Previous Article
