FAMU College of Law Students Visit The Hague, Netherlands
Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law students recently traveled to The Hague, Netherlands, for an intensive program of global legal engagement, academic excellence and cultural immersion. Twelve students had direct access to the world’s foremost institutions for international law, including the International Criminal Court (ICC), the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals.
The cohort’s multi-day itinerary included personalized meetings—most notably, an exclusive audience with the Honorable Judge Dire Tladi at the ICJ in the historic Peace Palace—expert briefings, and a visit to the ICC for in-depth presentations and live hearings. Students also attended skills reflection sessions, a seminar on international legal careers at the Asser Institute, and guided exploration of The Hague’s legal and cultural highlights, including an evening tour of the renowned Mauritshuis Museum.
Lineca Honore, a third-year law student, said “Visiting The Hague was such a meaningful experience. It brought international law to life in a way no classroom ever could. Standing inside the very institutions where justice is debated and delivered deepened my passion for this field and reminded me why I chose this path. It was both humbling and inspiring to witness how international law operates in practice and to see the global impact of what we study every day.”
Third-year law student Andrew McMann also reflected on the trip, sharing “Meeting Judge Dire Tladi and hearing about his
work at the International Court of Justice was inspiring. I also enjoyed visiting
the Peace Palace and the Mechanism. It made me appreciate how much effort goes into
bringing justice around the world. From this experience, the idea of using my law
degree to work internationally is now more than just a dream, it is a real possibility.”
FAMU College of Law students had an opportunity to engage with the Honorable Judge
Dire Tladi, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. (Photo special to FAMU)
Richell DeJesus, a third-year law student, described the experience as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that deepened her passion for practicing international law.
“My biggest takeaway was hearing from a senior leader at the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals and learning about the procedural process of enforcing international judgments. This trip opened my eyes to career paths I hadn’t considered and exposed me to new perspectives on professionalism and global legal practice,” she said.
Other students participating in the trip – which was coordinated by FAMU’s Jeremy Levitt, J.D., Ph.D. and distinguished professor of international law – were Aurora Crespo, Arturo Farchakh, Taylor Lindo, Marco Perez, Joshua Salomon, Janessa Siegel, Emily Smith, Hailey Upchurch, and Lauren Woodward.
“Standing in the halls of the ICC and ICJ, students saw firsthand how principles translated into practice, and how justice was shaped on the world stage,” Levitt said. “This journey empowered our future lawyers to think beyond domestic boundaries—to become advocates who led with both global insight and local relevance.”
Cecil Howard, associate provost and interim dean, said the experience at The Hague affirmed FAMU College of Law’s commitment to a globally-connected curriculum.
“This initiative blends our international focus with our tradition of preparing attorneys who could navigate the complexities of an interdependent world. We are dedicated to giving our students not just access—but meaningful engagement with global legal systems and leaders,” he said.
The program underscores FAMU’s commitment to “Excellence with Caring,” enhancing Florida’s legal capacity for international representation and positioning FAMU law graduates as global leaders in justice and advocacy.
Media Contact:
Rachel James-Terry
Senior Director of Strategic Communications
rachel.jamesterry@famu.edu
Mildred Graham
FAMU College of Law
mildred.graham@famu.edu
