Cincinnati Law: A home for Fulbrighters

Over the past three years, the LLM program at the University of Cincinnati College of Law has welcomed students from the Fulbright Foreign Student Program as part of its incoming cohort. This year, Cincinnati Law was proud to welcome two Fulbright students—Irina Zemkina, from Russia, and Julija Jurtoska, from North Macedonia—as part of its incoming class of LLM students, which includes 20 students from 10 countries.

Fulbright students are selected by their home countries not only for academic achievement, but also for their civic contributions. After selection, the Institute of International Education (IIE) works to match students with universities that offer programs in their field of study.

“Fulbright is the most prestigious scholarship that a student can receive and that's why I decided to pursue this path so I can improve my knowledge and skills,” said Jurtoska. “The LLM program will give me a better understanding of the U.S. legal system, how to think and reason like a lawyer, what virtues should one have to be successful in this field. Also, the contacts and networking opportunities that this program offers are the reasons that I choose to continue my education in this LLM program.”

Jurtoska, a graduate of St. Kliment Ohridski University in North Macedonia and an LLM Fellow in the Ohio Innocence Project, is studying criminal law in Cincinnati and eventually plans to pursue a PhD.

“It has been a wonderful experience to be on campus and feel the spirit of an American academic culture,” said Jurtoska. “I think that this program will open more doors in pursuing my goal of PhD studies in my country or Europe.”

Zemkina is studying and plans to practice International Arbitration and Dispute Resolution while pursuing her LLM in Cincinnati. She earned her LLB from Khabarovsk State University of Economics and Law before practicing with KAIKA LLC, a multinational law firm.

After participating in an international moot court competition, Zemkina began looking into international study opportunities with a desire to build up an international practice. When she spoke with an HR manager at an international law firm about her future goals, she was told that having an LLM would make her stand out in a hiring pool.

“[The] Fulbright gave me a unique opportunity to pursue this goal,” she said. “I am extremely happy to study in Cincinnati as it gave me a lot of opportunities not only to gain knowledge but also some practical experience.”

Zemkina said that after graduation she plans to pursue a PhD in Intellectual Property law and work as a litigator.

“We’re grateful to the Fulbright Foreign Student Program for continuing to place talented students here in Cincinnati,” said Nora Burke Wagner, assistant dean for international and graduate programs at Cincinnati Law. “The fact that we are able to attract Fulbright scholars and other talented students from around the globe speaks to the quality of Cincinnati Law’s academic program.”