The COVID-19 pandemic has changed priorities for many. From national surveys to chats with colleagues about their own lives to reading about the Great Resignation, a lot of people are looking to find a new sense of purpose post-pandemic (if we get there).

While the pandemic has also affected me, I found my priorities begin to shift about a year earlier in early 2019. By mid-year I was preparing for a new job and have been so grateful for the amount of support I receive in my quest to support international students in Florida.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve enjoyed teaching Legal English for American Law School virtually (for a university abroad) and guiding students through a Pre-LL.M. Program (for UF Law). I am so excited for the 2021-22 academic year and to welcome new students to UF in about two weeks and have a lot of great activities planned in an enhanced UF Law role!

LEALS and Pre-LL.M. have taught me a few new lessons. I can bring together a community from different countries in a virtual Pre-LL.M. Program. A lot of the great things about LEALS can still take place in a virtual setting. And with a temporary return to the classroom to teach LL.M. Legal Writing in Fall 2020 due to COVID-19, I rediscovered how much I enjoyed teaching. And so while my priorities have not changed, I’m excited to finally launch an idea I’ve had for a long time.

This Fall, I’ll be teaching a virtual session of LEALS. This will be the first time ever that I am teaching the course without an institutional affiliation, either in the U.S. or abroad. This version of LEALS will not be affiliated with UF Law or connected with UF in any way and will be solely in my individual capacity. I am focused on bringing the great things about LEALS to students in countries that are not represented enough in U.S. J.D. and LL.M. programs and for students who do not have the means to afford expensive Legal English and U.S. Law programs, either in-person or virtually.

I’m connecting with a few colleagues abroad with more details and am excited to share my experience this Fall in this new side project. I’ve wanted to do something like this for a few years, and I’m glad I am finally ready to take the plunge!