Ilovik, Croatia, is a sparsely developed island with a compact area of just five square miles. With only 60 permanent residents and a modest influx of expatriates each summer, Ilovik’s way of life is characterized by its isolation and limited resources. The idyllic beauty of the island belies the history and complex legal struggles of many of its inhabitants. I have spent most of my childhood summers visiting my Baba, Croatian for grandmother, in Ilovik. During these visits, as I listened to Baba’s poignant recollections of her time on and off the island, I discovered my calling to pursue a career in law.

Each summer, Baba and I would sit on the porch of the modest home that her grandparents built in the late 1800s, the same house where she was born and raised. As we sat together, she would recount the harrowing details of her escape from Communist Yugoslavia. She would describe her hopes of achieving religious freedom and economic opportunity, the challenges she faced as a refugee in Italy, her acclimation to the United States, and her experience of visiting her homeland for the first time 25 years after she had fled. Her stories, filled with both pain and hope, were a testament to her persistence and her quest for justice, themes that have shaped both her life and mine. 

My fascination with these stories has evolved over the years. As a child, I would listen and think about Baba’s bravery in hiding behind a bell tower in the town square in Venice to avoid getting caught, a story I could only imagine happening in movies. As a teenager and now an adult, I understand her escape’s political undertones and significance. Baba’s experiences illuminated the profound impact that legal systems can have on individuals and societies and their ability to protect and hinder.

Motivated by these revelations, I explored the field of law with a fervent curiosity. I sought internships that would expose me to policy formation and allow me to observe legal principles. While working for my local Congressman, I gained firsthand insight into how policy is created and advanced. However, it was my work with the legal team that truly sparked my passion. Conducting research on issues such as the rights of residents in retirement communities and seeing legislative language drafted for Congress deepened my interest in the law. Watching the Congressman and his team advocate for constituents on matters both large and small further affirmed my commitment to using the law in service of others. 

While my interest in law deepened from my government experience, an opportunity arose to work as a compliance professional at an investment bank. I believed it was important to work in both the public and private sectors before deciding on my career path, and I took advantage of this opportunity. Following graduation, I enthusiastically entered Morgan Stanley’s two-year rotational compliance program to explore the intersection of law, regulation, and finance. In my most recent role in the Regulatory Relations Division, I loved the analytical rigor and strategic thinking of handling regulatory exams. In my meetings with the Federal Reserve Bank and Morgan Stanley’s various business units, I was constantly exposed to new concepts and processes. 

Despite enjoying the analytical challenges of interpreting regulatory policies and advising on matters, I found something missing in my daily life: advocacy. Baba’s stories always included gratitude for those who advocated for her, including the Italian government and her family members who had already made it to the United States. Her admiration for those who helped her led me to have respect for the power of advocacy, and I sought to make it a prominent feature of my life. Throughout college, my internships allowed me to work for constituents and the public good. When not working, I spent my free time mentoring and guiding my peers as a Meiklejohn Peer Advisor or representing my writers as a Section Editor at The Brown Daily Herald. This reflection made me realize that what pulls me to law is closely connected to my drive to become an advocate for others.  

When I returned to Croatia a year ago, I once again sat outside with Baba and listened closely to her stories. This time, I listened with a sense of peace I had not experienced in our prior conversations. I am now officially on the path to becoming a lawyer, inspired by Baba’s stories, and I know for certain it is the correct path for me. While I may not know exactly where this journey will take me, I know that I will be an advocate for those who need it.

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Rebecca Carcieri is a first-year student at BC Law. Contact her at carcierr@bc.edu.