Twelve students from Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law recently visited The Hague, Netherlands, as part of a program focused on international law and cultural immersion. During their trip, the students engaged directly with major global legal institutions such as the International Criminal Court (ICC), the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals.
The itinerary included meetings with legal professionals, including an exclusive session with Judge Dire Tladi at the ICJ in the Peace Palace. Students also attended presentations and live hearings at the ICC, participated in skills reflection sessions, joined a seminar on international legal careers at the Asser Institute, and toured local cultural sites like the 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.”
Richell DeJesus, another third-year student, described meeting leaders at international tribunals as pivotal for her understanding of global legal processes. “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.
The program was organized by Jeremy Levitt, J.D., Ph.D., distinguished professor of international law at FAMU. Other participating students were Aurora Crespo, Arturo Farchakh, Taylor Lindo, Marco Perez, Joshua Salomon, Janessa Siegel, Emily Smith, Hailey Upchurch, and Lauren Woodward.
Levitt highlighted that experiencing these institutions firsthand gave students insight into how principles are applied globally: “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. 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 at FAMU College of Law stated: “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.”
The university emphasized that programs like this support its mission by preparing graduates for roles in global justice while enhancing Florida’s capacity for international representation.
