Luis Varjao Filho (LLM '21 | Brazil)

Transcript

I ended up choosing UC Davis mostly because of the diverse faculty. I’ve been taking classes with Professor Karima Bennounce, and I’ve also been doing research with her. It’s been really fulfilling for me to get back to doing something meaningful, helping people and contributing in some way to fighting injustice and standing up for those who are threatened.

Last semester, I did a lot of research, and I started seeing parts of it come together. I could recognize what I had worked on and what my colleagues had contributed. I remember the research, the class discussions, and what I learned. Seeing the results later made me realize that it wasn’t in vain or done in a vacuum—it actually produced something real.

That really touched me. I even got emotional the first time I saw the results. I thought, “Wow, this isn’t as small as we think.” One thing I’ve been learning is that if we want to create change, we have to be willing to take small steps.

Transcript

A general piece of advice for anyone coming to the United States to pursue an LL.M. is to study in advance. I personally did some preparation by reading in English and reviewing legal cases. It helps to start familiarizing yourself ahead of time.

You should also take a close look at the faculty. At the University of California, Davis, we have a very diverse and wonderful group of people who genuinely care about you. That’s one of the things that felt different to me about University of California, Davis—I felt a closer connection there.

Overall, it’s been a beautiful journey for me.