UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Law welcomed the LL.M. (master of laws) class of 2025 to the University Park campus for orientation on Tuesday, Aug. 20, kicking off another year of one of the largest and most diverse LL.M. programs in the United States. The class of 2025 includes 163 LL.M. and 13 exchange students, coming from 31 countries across the world.

Official orientation activities began with a welcome address from Victor Romero, interim dean of Penn State Law and the School of International Affairs, Maureen B. Cavanaugh Distinguished Faculty Scholar, and professor of law.

“Each year, our Graduate and International Programs team does an outstanding job recruiting a diverse and enthusiastic group of international lawyers to join us, and this year is no exception,” Romero said. “I hope that our LL.M. students enjoy the challenge of learning more about U.S. law as they simultaneously immerse themselves in the broader academic and social culture of Happy Valley and beyond.”

Notably, the class of 2025 includes 39 students from China, 29 students from Colombia and, for the first time in the program’s history, students from Cambodia (two) and Zambia (one). Reflecting the strong relationships Penn State Law has built around the world, this year’s cohort also includes students from 35 partner institutions.

“Since the LL.M. program's inception in 2008, Penn State Law has welcomed students from 101 countries from A to Z — from Argentina to Zambia,” said Stephen Barnes, assistant dean of Graduate and International Programs (GIP) at Penn State Law. “Our students are lawyers, recent law school graduates, NGO leaders, ministry officials and academicians, but we also recognize and greet them as citizen ambassadors of their home countries.”

Preparing for success

In addition to remarks from Romero and Barnes, LL.M. orientation incorporated a variety of sessions and activities designed to familiarize the students with U.S. culture, prepare them for success inside and outside the classroom, and acquaint them with their fellow classmates and professors. Orientation activities included:

• Information sessions on academic policies and course registration, student services, financial services and information technology.

• An introduction to the library system and the H. Laddie Montague, Jr. Law Library at Penn State Law.

• An overview of University services that can help international students, such as language support and assistance with visa documents.

• Individual headshots and a class photo.

• A welcome picnic on campus.

• A group trip to Washington, D.C.

In all, the week of orientation helped students feel prepared and excited ahead of their first day of classes, which began on Aug. 26.

“I am looking forward to meeting people from all over the world and to have the experience of studying at a U.S. law school, which will enrich my academic background,” said Juan Carlos Castillo, an LL.M. candidate from Colombia.

Profound connections, global community

Many students pointed to the welcome picnic and the trip to Washington, D.C., as highlights of orientation — and as community-building opportunities.

The D.C. trip took place on Thursday, Aug. 22, and gave the students a chance to bond together while exploring the U.S. capital. The day trip also featured the 10th annual group photo in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

The welcome picnic in University Park, meanwhile, offered a relaxed setting for students to meet some of their professors and staff at Penn State Law, while further getting to know each other.

“The picnic provided us with a precious opportunity to have ice-breaking conversations with classmates and professors, to share previous experiences and discuss a lot of interesting topics,” said Yang Mingming, an LL.M. candidate from China. “We also got a lot of useful advice from professors, covering aspects from study techniques to cultural adaptation, making us feel supported and prepared for the challenges and rewards that lie ahead.”

While their academic program at Penn State Law lasts just one year, LL.M. students have the opportunity to build a network that can last a lifetime.

"Apart from the certainly delightful and challenging courses we will have, the thing that I expect the most is to truly establish profound connections with people," Mingming said.

The LL.M. program offers a one-year legal degree and is open to students from across the globe who want to deepen their knowledge of the U.S. legal system as a way to advance their career. The students bring a range of backgrounds and experiences from their home countries, including as lawyers and judges, civil servants and NGO leaders, university professors, and new law school graduates.

Learn more about the LL.M. Program at Penn State Law.