07/09/2026
Dreaming of Studying Law in the U.S.? Anna’s Story Shows It’s Possible.
Back in June, we honored Anna Akulova as our Student of the Month. When Anna joined the Pericles LL.M. program in Fall 2024, she had a clear vision: to take her legal education beyond borders and experience American law firsthand.
Thanks to the unique pathways built into the Pericles curriculum and our strong partnership with Delaware Law School at Widener University, that vision became a reality. This past summer, Anna packed her bags and traveled to the U.S. to study Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulation in person, on an American campus, surrounded by international peers.
Anna’s journey is living proof that Pericles open doors to global experiences that transform careers.
We asked her to share a glimpse of what it’s actually like to wake up, study, and navigate life as a law student in America.
Here is her story, sharing in her own words a testament to what happens when you say "yes" to your ambitions and let Pericles be your guide.
Her story 👇
"When I was asked to write about "a day in the life of studying in America”, I naturally thought of the very first one.
My dormitory was only a three-minute walk from the academic building, but thanks to jet lag and a knot of nervous excitement, I was wide awake long before my alarm. The orientation session started at 10 a.m. We were welcomed with bagels, cream cheese, and coffee - a classic American breakfast. The staff then walked us through the program structure and course logistics.
One thing that completely surprised me: all of my classmates were from Brazil, including two judges! Because these were summer courses, the campus was mostly empty of regular students; the only ones around were those preparing for the Bar exam.
Right after orientation, we dove straight into our first AML (Anti-Money Laundering) class. To help us bond, the university staff took us out for a group lunch afterward. They also revealed the schedule for upcoming university-organized trips, including visits to the Supreme Court and the Capitol in Washington, D.C., as well as a local district court. I was overflowing with excitement by the end of the day.
After a quick grocery run, I crashed around 9 p.m. - the jet lag finally caught up with me.
By the way, here is some practical tips (based on my month-long stay)
1. Renting a car 🚘
If you plan to rent a car, you absolutely need two things: a physical driver’s license and an international credit card (in your name). I didn’t have the latter, so I relied on walking, public means and taxis for the entire month. Having a car would have been a huge convenience, so don't make my mistake - sort this out before you travel.
2. Getting a U.S. bank card 💳
Since I was staying for a month, I figured I'd open a local bank account right away. Big mistake. The bureaucracy here is shockingly slow, and no one seems to be in a rush.
· Several banks rejected my application on the spot.
· One bank finally agreed to process it, but the KYC verification alone took three weeks.
· Even if they had approved it in time, they don't give you the card in person. They must mail it to your U.S. address, which takes another week.
In the end, the entire process would have taken over a month - longer than my entire stay. So unless you're here for a full semester, don't bother with a local bank account; just rely on your friend’s card or cash."
