When Swayam Siddha Nanda moved from India to the United States in 2023, she was not planning to return to law school. After earning degrees in Business Administration and Law from KIIT University in 2017, and later an LL.M. in Commercial Law from Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, she had already built a career in India as in-house counsel. She worked across industries including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and technology on matters involving commercial contracts, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, fundraising and investment transactions, and cross-border business transactions. But relocating to Philadelphia after her marriage meant navigating a new legal system and adapting her legal background to an entirely new jurisdiction.

“To practice law in the U.S., I knew I would need to go back to school,” she said. “At first, that felt intimidating, but it also became an opportunity to grow in ways I never expected.”

While considering LL.M. programs, Vanderbilt appealed to Swayam the most for its close-knit community and the Law & Business Certificate. “I knew I would thrive in a smaller environment where professors genuinely knew their students,” Swayam said. “That sense of community mattered a lot to me. It was also encouraging to see Vanderbilt alumni build careers across the country and, for LL.M. students, around the world.”

Originally from Odisha, India, Swayam initially believed she would pursue criminal law, but her internships and professional experiences gradually led her toward corporate and transactional work. During her LL.M., she further developed her interest through courses such as Corporations, Mergers & Acquisitions, Securities Regulations.

One of the highlights of her Vanderbilt experience was her Securities Regulations class, taught by Yesha Yadav, Milton Underwood Chair in Law and Associate Dean and Robert Belton Director of Culture & Community. “Dean Yadav is one of the most inspiring professors I have ever had,” Swayam said. “She has an ability to make difficult topics engaging and approachable, and her energy in the classroom is contagious. Beyond the classroom, what stood out to me the most was how genuinely invested she is in her students and their growth.”

“Professor Robert Reder’s classes gave me a much stronger understanding of transactional law,” she added. “He drew on his experience from years in practice, using real transaction documents to teach us about drafting and negotiating M&A deals. We also co-authored an article analyzing a Delaware Court of Chancery case, which was one of the most rewarding experiences for me at Vanderbilt.”

Beyond academics, Swayam credits the VLS community for helping her adjust to life in a new place and grow more confident during her time in Nashville. “Moving to a different country and starting over can feel overwhelming at times,” she said. “What stood out for me was how supportive everyone was—professors, classmates, and the Office of Student Life. I never felt like I had to navigate things alone.”

“Some of my favorite memories were the simple moments—dinners, conversations, and learning about each other’s cultures and food.”

After graduation, Swayam packed up her car and her two dogs, Phoebe and Leonard, and drove back to Philadelphia to reunite with her husband. She will study for the bar exam this summer and then join PwC as an international tax associate. While she is excited for what comes next, she says she will miss the everyday moments in Nashville the most—from late-night conversations with friends to playing badminton at the Student Rec Center.

Looking back on her Vanderbilt experience, Swayam says the year taught her the importance of embracing uncertainty and trusting herself through periods of change. “This year pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best possible way,” she said. Her advice to future LL.M. students: “Be kind to yourself, trust yourself, build connections, and say yes to opportunities. The relationships you build and the experiences you embrace can shape your journey in unexpected ways.”