From Ghana to Concord, First-Year LLM-IP Student Chelsea Alobawone Shares Her First Month on Campus

My name is Chelsea Alobawone, and I am a new LLM in Intellectual Property student at the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School in Concord, New Hampshire. I am originally from Ghana. I completed my university education in the University of Ghana, Legon and continued to the Ghana School of Law. I am currently a lawyer with an immense interest in Intellectual Property Law, which is what led me here. I write to take you along on my LLM journey!  

The past four weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions, a kaleidoscope of new friendships and discoveries. From the academic hustle to the social adventures, this period truly set an incredible standard for my stay here at UNH Franklin Pierce. 

On my first day in Concord, I went for a walk under the late summer sun and discovered White Park, which is a vast park with a pond, playgrounds, fields, trails for hiking and benches perfect for a quiet moment of reflection. This introduction to Concord was just perfect as it embodied the diverse nature of activities available in Concord.  

Orientation week for international students was my debut in UNH Franklin Pierce. Here we were welcomed and given a crash course on UNH Franklin Pierce and the city of Concord. The icing on all this was truly the people. Meeting fellow international students from all over the world and discovering commonality in our excitement and nerves was a great start to our friendships. 

Another highlight was discovering the societies and clubs on campus. These groups provide additional avenues to expand relationships with students and connect on both social matters and matters of the law. I went all out and joined the Masters of Trade (Marks) Club, Student Intellectual Property Law Association (SIPLA) and the Black Law Students Association. I also have my eye on the Hiking Club for when I build up my stamina.  

With the commencement of classes, the true demands of the semester became apparent. The readings are intense and numerous. That said, the law library is fully stocked and provides access to legal research databases like Lexis Nexis, Bloomberg, and Westlaw. I have been able to easily obtain all the required information and coursebooks.  

Then there’s the dreaded Socratic method for which US law schools are notorious. Cold calls keep everyone in class alert and attentive. I immediately realized the only way to survive this is to come to class fully prepared and ready to engage. I have made it a personal rule to participate at least once in class. This has been a tremendous boost to my confidence. The discussions, especially with seasoned 2Ls, 3Ls and other professionals in the LLM program, have been eye opening. These varied perspectives truly contribute vastly to my understanding of the law. 

While the transition to a US law school can be hard work, the amazing faculty and staff at UNH Franklin Pierce have made it manageable. Professors and deans have made themselves available for discussions on the law and all other issues. The Academic Success Program has been pivotal for me also, helping me to pick out the right courses and craft a study plan. The school also provides extensive mental wellness services, including access to trained professionals – a safe place to discuss academic challenges or personal struggles. 

Outside the classroom, the numerous international student activities have provided further social opportunities. Ice cream socials at the homemade ice cream and candy shop downtown, organized hikes in the White Mountains, and apple picking at a local orchard have helped me relax and feel a part of the larger Concord community. I’m looking forward to all other fall traditions like the Halloween costume contest, the Buck Bowl, Thanksgiving, and others. 

The past month has been paradoxical – exhausting yet energizing. My international colleagues and I are learning to balance the demands of the US legal classroom. But we have already built friendships that I know will last well beyond the one-year LLM program. Between exploring restaurants and parks as well as the late-night study sessions, I have managed to create a harmony that feels right. I continue to discover new methods to help with this as I grow my social circle and speak to faculty.  

Every challenge has been matched by growth and new milestones to celebrate. Right now, I sit in the silence of the Intellectual Property library preparing for midterm examinations and looking forward to all the adventures yet to come!  

I will write again this semester, but I invite you to contact me if you would like to learn more about my journey and life at UNH Franklin Pierce. You can also check out this recent webinar, “Life Beyond the Classroom: The Non-Academic Side of the LLM Experience”.