By Yi-Heng Chen

On September 12, the School of Law invited Liu Heshou, a master's student in the Public Law division, to share her experience studying for an LL.M. at the University of California, San Francisco School of Law through a scholarship agreement. The session attracted many faculty members and students, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.

Regarding the University of California, San Francisco School of Law, Liu noted that the campus is expansive, with many resources available to students, including the option to take courses across different campuses. The benefits of studying at the school include a robust alumni network, which helps students find internships, and the fact that there are no other Taiwanese students and very few Chinese students, making it an ideal environment for improving English skills. Although the cost of living in California is high, students can alleviate the financial burden by applying for scholarships. In addition to the half-tuition reduction already available to NCCU students, the University of California offers numerous scholarships.

Based on her experience, Liu recommended several courses, highlighting that most classes emphasize peer discussions, and professors often randomly call on students, making thorough preparation essential. Whether or not one plans to take the U.S. bar exam, she advised students to complete their educational credentials verification and required vaccinations in advance to better plan their studies. Liu also gave a brief introduction to the U.S. bar exam and shared some preparation tips.

For Liu, pursuing an LL.M. in the U.S. was a completely different and challenging environment. She encouraged students to seize such opportunities and fully immerse themselves in the experience. Through this journey, students will gradually improve their English, make friends from diverse backgrounds, and gain invaluable experiences that simply cannot be replicated by studying in Taiwan alone.