From January to May 2025, I spent a semester abroad in Medford, a suburb of Boston, as part of my dual-degree master's program. This program allowed me to graduate with a Master in Law & Economics from the University of St.Gallen and an LL.M. from the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy. The Fletcher School is a graduate school of Tufts University, which focuses on international relations, diplomacy and international law.
An LL.M. is an internationally recognized postgraduate degree in international law. Many Swiss law firms, especially firms that handle cross-border legal matters, require from their attorneys to have completed an LL.M. after their first years of practice, preferably from a reputable university in an English-speaking country. The DDP offered provided an efficient and cost-effective way to earn this qualification, which made it more attractive to me than returning to full-time study later in my career. Additionally, I had always planned to study and live abroad during my master’s degree, and the DDP program was a perfect opportunity to achieve that goal while gaining exposure to a new culture, living in a vibrant city like oston, and earning an additional academic credential compared to my Swiss Master’s degree.
A Report written by Reto Giezendanner, 2025
I completed four courses at the Fletcher School, which is considered a normal course load for the semester. Students may cross-register for courses at other Tufts graduate schools or at Harvard University. I opted to attempt cross-registering for a course at Harvard Law School, whereby enrollment required approval from the course instructor. To obtain approval can be difficult at times, considering that Harvard Law School students are given priority. Nevertheless, I was able to enroll in the course "Drafting and Negotiating Complex Cross-Border M&A Transactions". This was an experimental course where students – divided into a seller team and several buyer teams – negotiated the sale of a business and drafted the legal documents necessary for the sale. At the end, each buyer team presented its negotiated offer to a simulated board of directors, while the seller team (which I was part of) presented the offers to its board of directors and ultimately selected the best offer. The course was demanding and time-intensive, but the collaboration with talented students from around the world was both inspiring and enriching. The instructors – practicing lawyers from a prominent New York law firm – focused heavily on practical skills, many of which I am confident will be valuable in my future career.
At the Fletcher School, I completed the courses "Impact Investing", "International Financial & Fiscal Law" and "The Role of Economic Statecraft in International Politics". The latter stood out in particular. Taught by one of the world's leading experts in the field, the course explored topics such as tariffs and sections and provided timely context by linking theory to current political developments. It was an ideal moment to take this course considering the political developments during my stay and it significantly enhanced my understanding of international policy, especially from a U.S. perspective. who understood to create an engaging learning environment. The topic of the course, which included.
Given the Fletcher School’s academic focus, it is no surprise that approximately 50% of its student body is international. This culture diversity enrichened my experience in the US: not only did I learn about American life, but I was also exposed to the traditions and perspectives of classmates from across the globe. During my semester, the Fletcher School hosted an Arab culture night, an Asian culture night, and the Africana Conference, all of which offered insights into different world regions.
The Fletcher School regularly organized many more events, both academic and social. Personal highlights include a student-organized ski weekend in Vermont, a career trip to Washington D.C., ice skating outings, and attending a Red Sox game. These activities helped build connections to other students and created a strong sense of community, which is very prominent at the Fletcher School.
Also, I joined the Tufts University marathon team, which holds two trainings a week to prepare for road races. For me, taking part in these trainings was a great opportunity to meet people outside of the Fletcher School. Tufts University offers numerous extracurricular activities, including sports teams and language courses, which students can explore for free.
Each year, students from one of the University of St.Gallen’s law master’s programs are offered the opportunity to join the DDP with the Fletcher School. The application must be submitted at the beginning of the fall semester and closely mirrors the standard application of the Fletcher School, requiring essays and two letters of recommendation. Applicants also undergo interviews with representatives of the Law School of of the University of St.Gallen. After selection, candidates must complete a formal application to the Fletcher School, which is generally a formality.
Since DDP students must pay the standard tuition fees of the Fletcher School during their stay and considering that tuition at U.S. universities is expensive, it is advisable to explore scholarship options early. I received a tuition reduction from the Fletcher School based on financial circumstances and was also fortunate to receive support from the Swiss Study Foundation.
The Fletcher School offers on-campus student housing conveniently located just three minutes from the university. However, this housing option is costly at around USD 1400 per month. Housing costs in Medford are generally comparable to Zurich prices, with rooms in shared flats costing ranging USD 800-1500 per month. Thus, it is possible to find more affordable housing off-campus, which however might be challenging to organize remotely from back home in Switzerland. The Fletcher School provides helpful resources such as WhatsApp-groups and mailing lists for sublets, which I would recommend checking out.
Looking back, I have no regrets about choosing the DDP. I was able to complete all essential Swiss law courses during my year at the University of St.Gallen, which is made possible by the fact that the courses attended at the Fletcher School, regardless of whether they are legal, business-oriented, or contextual, are credited towards contextual studies and electives. At the same time, I was able to benefit from the unique academic and personal experiences offered by the Fletcher School. The DDP allowed me to spend an exciting five months in Boston, immerse myself in the American university culture, and get to know people from all around the world. As the cherry on top, I earned an LL.M., with the graduation
ceremony marking the end of both my time in Boston and the DDP.
This report reflects the personal experiences of the student. It does not constitute official advice or a guarantee of similar outcomes. Individual experiences may vary depending on personal, academic, and professional circumstances.