Chinese student Dennis Zhao (LLM ’15) moved to New Orleans to complete his LLM in Admiralty degree at Tulane Law. Photo courtesy of Dennis Zhao.
Dennis Zhao (LLM ’15) had never taken an American-style road trip before starting Tulane Law’s LLM program.
In his native China, Zhao relied on public transport for daily travel, and venturing far outside his hometown was difficult without a vehicle, he said. He’d never thought to simply hop into a car and drive cross-country.
That changed on his birthday in October 2014, when six Tulane Law classmates showed up at his New Orleans apartment and told him they were taking a trip. Justus Langelittig (Germany), Enrique Rubio (Spain), Joaquin De Obarrio (Panama), Nathan Sarkas (South Africa), David Morales (Mexico) and Zhao then set out to explore the Deep South over fall break. With a rented van and several maps, they took highways through historic plantation towns, rolling hills and oak-covered landscapes through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee.
Zhao discovered southern communities and culture that was “totally different from what I learned in books and movies when I was in China – another beautiful side of the United States,” he said.
And it led to lasting camaraderie with his Tulane Law classmates.
“I realized that we were six guys from six different countries,” Zhao said. “We shared stories and opinions on the road. We made jokes. This was the first time that I felt no concept of ‘foreigners’ in my mind. We established life-long, international friendships.”
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- Mighty oak trees frame Weinmann Hall at sunset. All photos courtesy of Dennis Zhao (LLM ’15).
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- Dennis Zhao (LLM ’15) earned his LLM in Admiralty at Tulane Law.
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- 2015 LLM grads visited Nashville, Tennessee, during fall break. From left: Dennis Zhao (China), Justus Langelittig (Germany), David Morales (Mexico). Joaquin De Obarrio (Panama), Enrique Rubio (Spain) and Nathan Sarkas (South Africa).
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- For his first U.S. road trip, Dennis Zhao (LLM ’15) traveled with friends from six countries: Spain, the U.K., Germany, Panama, China and Mexico.
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- Adjunct Prof. Mike Butterworth (L ’89) took Dennis Zhao (LLM ’15) sailing on Lake Pontchartrain. “Professor Butterworth taught me not just how to sail on the ocean but also how to navigate my life,” Zhao said.
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- Tulane’s Diboll Complex rooftop reveals stunning views of downtown New Orleans.
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- Dennis Zhao (LLM ’15) toured Oak Alley Plantation’s sprawling grounds in Vacherie, Louisiana.
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- Dennis Zhao (LLM ’15, far right) experienced American football for the first time at a Saints game with classmates.
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- Joaquin de Obarrio and Dennis Zhao (both LLM ’15) traveled to Alaska during spring break.
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- Alaska’s Northern Lights dazzled international students Dennis Zhao and Joaquin de Obarrio (both LLM ’15).
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- International students celebrated Mardi Gras at the Krewe of Mid-City parade. From left: Enrique Rubio (LLM ’15), Dennis Westerink (exchange student), Nathan Sarkas (LLM ’15), Dennis Zhao (LLM ’15), Justus Langelittig (LLM ’15), Claudia Juárez (LLM ’15) and Iliana Ibarra (LLM ’15).
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- Cheerful sky-writing covered Tulane’s campus and the New Orleans area in April 2015.
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- 2015 Tulane LLMs David Morales (Mexico), Joaquin De Obarrio (Panama), Dennis Zhao (China), Ignacio D. Bermudez Elizondo (Mexico) and Nathan Sarkas (South Africa) celebrated graduation week.
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- Dennis Zhao (LLM ’15) visited the Blue Ridge Mountains while exploring the southern U.S.
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- Dennis Zhao (LLM ’15) snapped a stunning shot of Yulman Stadium during 2015 Homecoming – and won HeroSports’ Photo of the Week contest.
Throughout his time as a Tulane Law grad student, Zhao kept exploring (and photographing) sights in New Orleans and beyond: Lush landscapes and vibrant student life on Tulane’s campus. Sailing Lake Pontchartrain with Adjunct Professor Mike Butterworth (L ‘89). The Mississippi River’s bustling shipping industry. The unmatched energy of New Orleans Saints and Pelicans games – and Mardi Gras. Picturesque and historic architecture throughout the South. Thriving cities like New York and Washington, D.C.
Zhao even ventured to Alaska with classmate Joaquin de Obarrio (LLM ’15) during spring break.
After graduating, Zhao took one more road trip solo, visiting southern states he and his classmates weren’t able to reach: North Carolina, South Carolina and eastern Georgia.
And, although he and his friends are now spread across the world, Zhao said they still talk daily.
He credits Tulane for encouraging students to explore their surroundings, be open to other cultures and contribute to their communities.
“We opened our minds and hearts to share ideas and opinions. And we finally became a unique international family,” Zhao said. “I think this is the most important thing we got as LLMs.”
“Every international student has the same feeling: Tulane and NOLA are our home.”
Zhao is set to take the New York bar exam in February 2016 before returning to China.