Xiangying Guan, LL.M. Class of 2022

1. What country are you from and where did you get your law degree?
I am from China. Prior to my studying in SMU, I received my LL.B. in China University of Political Science and Law and my Master of Laws in Peking University.

2. Tell us something about yourself and your country of origin?
I was born and raised in Dandong, Liaoning Province, northeastern China, from where the people are known for being bold and vigorous, and bulker compared to people from southern China. If you search “Texan” on a Chinese searching engine, it will tell you Texans and Chinese northeasterners have similar personalities!
Dandong is a city of diversity. My city is on the border of China and North Korea and we can see North Koreans across the border river! There are also lots of North Koreans engaging in cross-border trade. Naturally, we have great Korean food. Moreover, almost 30 minority ethnic groups live in this city and myself is from one of them – Manchu – which governed the last dynasty in China until 1912.
China is a country with rich cultural heritage spiced up by “global culture” – isn’t it novel to find Starbucks besides traditional temples? There are lots of former imperial gardens and parks which are now open to the public. When I was an undergraduate, I used to ride a bicycle with friends around the lake inside the garden in the afternoon, especially in autumn, with a warm breeze touching through soft willow trees under golden sunshine.

3. Why did you decide to seek a graduate degree in the U.S. and what attracted you to SMU Law?
I choose to seek a graduate in the U.S. because I find it necessary to know about American Law and common law if I want to work in international law firms dealing with international transactions. When I was having internships in Hogan Lovells and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in their Beijing Office, I faced numerous transactions between China and the U.S. and other countries, and all the documents and communications are in English. I need to know more about laws in other jurisdictions to be on the same page with everyone working on the same project.

I choose SMU Law for several reasons. First, my uncle obtained his master's degree in Texas 20 years ago so I also like Texas. Second, when I was at Peking University, Dean Camp was there introducing SMU Dedman School of Law and it has a great reputation in China! Moreover, Dr. Helmut Sohmen’s generous scholarship makes me apply to this school without a doubt!

4. What has been your favorite class?
I love Torts. I love how common law comes into play with dual federalism. Educated primarily in a civil law country, my mindset of pondering legal problems could be very different from common law jurisdiction and especially when civil law judges cannot create law but can only enforce the law, so my old mindset was: you should act and assess problems as the law prescribes, and I always had this perception that law works to mold people into a “shape” that is desirable in some way, whereas in common law like torts, I realize that law could be very close to human nature and human need, and it seldom has across-the-board rules and there are always exceptions, just as every situation is unique in real life.

5. What is our favorite thing to do in Dallas?
I like to talk with friends between classes in the quad under the sunshine! I am from the north and has short summer, so sometimes I am like a solar panel absorbing sunshine as much as I can, and it is always a blessing to have friends together.

I also like to have a coffee or grab a lunch with friends on Fridays and come back home doing some bible study and enjoy my quiet time.

6. What are you planning to do after graduation?
I want to reunite with my family as soon as possible after graduation. I miss my family.

7. What tips or advise do you have for a new LL.M. student?
Be persistent in study. There will be difficulties to study law as a secondary language, but after a few weeks, things will be better. Besides, you have already obtained law degree(s) and that helps a lot!

Always seek for help if you have difficulties and don’t think less of yourself just because you have difficulties in study or in life.