Gain a Global Perspective with a Law School Study Abroad Program

Summary

Law school study abroad programs are an excellent way for law students to gain a unique experience, expand their international networks and knowledge of global law, and prepare for their legal career.


Studying abroad allows law students to learn about different legal systems and laws, get to know foreign colleagues, engage in comparative analysis of legal issues, and gain hands-on experience in international law. Many study abroad programs offer courses that cover a range of legal topics, including international law, trade law, human rights law, and criminal law. Law students can also take courses that focus on a particular country or culture, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of a specific legal system.

The benefits of studying abroad are numerous. In addition to being exposed to new areas of international law and improving their legal research and writing skills, law students can also develop a greater understanding of cultural differences and become better versed in international politics. Studying abroad also provides an opportunity to interact and collaborate with law students from different cultures, helping to build relationships with potential employers around the world.

Study abroad programs also provide students with the opportunity to gain practical experience with international legal institutions. Many programs offer internships with law firms or legal nonprofits, giving students the chance to receive real-world experience and build connections in their Legal field.

For students who do not have the time or budget to attend a full-semester study abroad program, there are many shorter programs, such as summer sessions, that can still provide a great learning experience. Participation in study abroad programs can help law students stand out among other job applicants and demonstrate their commitment to international law.

Law school study abroad programs are an invaluable experience for law students. By giving students the opportunity to learn about different legal systems and laws, gain experience in international law, develop relationships with future employers, and gain practical experience in legal institutions, study abroad programs can help law students establish a successful career in international law.
 

The Benefits of a Law School Study Abroad Program

Studying abroad during the course of your law school studies allows you to gain valuable international experience, broaden your cultural understanding, and become a well-rounded individual. International experience is highly valued by future employers, as it demonstrates an understanding of different legal systems and cultures. Participating in a law school study abroad program also offers you the chance to gain a deeper understanding of the legal system in the country you are visiting and to become more worldly.
 

Practical Experiences Gained through Law School Study Abroad Programs

Studying abroad during law school can provide you with practical experiences that you cannot gain through traditional law school coursework. By participating in a law school study abroad program, you will be able to learn first-hand the ways in which another legal system works, as well as learn from the experiences of lawyers in other countries. You may also be able to participate in internships and other legal-related activities, such as observing actual trials in different countries. Additionally, you can learn more about the legal profession in other countries, as well as the differences between the cultures, values, and laws of the countries.
 

Law School Study Abroad Programs Prepare Students for International Careers

Law school study abroad programs can also prepare you for pursuing a career in international law or working with international clients. As a law student, you will be able to gain a deeper understanding of the legal systems in other countries and how they compare to that of the United States. This knowledge can give you an edge in the job market when you are looking for a job that requires global work. Additionally, it may provide an opportunity to network with international lawyers and firms in the country you visit.
 

Considering a Law School Study Abroad Program

If you are considering participating in a law school study abroad program, research the options carefully. Ensure that the program you select is well-suited to your goals and objectives. Many law schools have study abroad advisors who can help you choose the best program for your needs. Additionally, keep in mind that most study abroad programs are expensive and require a significant investment of time and money. Once you have selected your program, you will need to plan for your trip, make any necessary arrangements, and ensure that all of the paperwork is taken care of in a timely manner.

<<''I was looking for some work experience in a firm that has an international law practice and saw this internship as a unique opportunity to experience international practice from a foreign country and a different legal system,'' said Ms. Thompson.

She was also prompted to go because she heard that it was difficult to find paid law-related work after her first year of law school. Though unpaid, the study abroad program had the added value of allowing her to gain exposure to international law and receive credit for it.

The Center for International Legal Studies, whose international headquarters are in Salzburg, Austria, organized the study abroad program in cooperation with Suffolk University. The Center administers the international law internship program, placing young lawyers in training positions with law firms in Europe, North and South America, and the Far East.

''Students are immersed in the practice of the foreign law firm for three to seven weeks,'' said Christian Campbell, Director of Internships at the Center. ''They have one field placement supervisor, usually a partner in the firm, who bears overall responsibility for their progress, but they may be assigned to various other lawyers for specific tasks and activities.''

Mr. Campbell said that each student keeps a journal that goes back to him for ongoing review. He said he contacts the supervisor and intern every 10 days confidentially to check how the internship is going in case there are any misunderstandings that may need his intervention. ''The key is that the interns get some hands-on experience with real practitioners from other jurisdictions handling matters that the interns might be on the other side of in their U.S. practices sometime down the road.''

Ms. Thompson said she had a great experience. She worked for a small but growing firm downtown that did a lot of project finance and other large transactional projects or finance/industry-related work. ''I had a very positive experience all around. The attorneys and support staff were very welcoming, making the transition to the firm's work easier. I maintained open communication with the attorneys, which was very important. I received feedback on my work and was given interesting assignments on projects that were in line with my interests and abilities.''

She said she was able to do a variety of work that ranged from legal research to translations to business/industry research to drafting memoranda. She also was given the opportunity to visit the government office where corporation filings are kept and the international arbitration tribunal at the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange. ''I also joined an attorney in a meeting with clients, where I presented in Spanish a summary of some legal research I conducted. My work included exposure to bankruptcy law, project financing, due diligence reports, lobby law, energy, and mining.''

Before she left, she even prepared a first draft of an ''intro to the firm'' to help future interns and new attorneys have smooth transitions into the firm and become familiar with the office and make use of all its available resources.

Professor Daniel H. Derby is a Professor of Law and Director of International Programs at Touro Law Center, based in New York City. The school offers summer abroad programs in India, China, Russia, and Germany. ''All four of our summer programs abroad help students to share the perspective of another nation and culture, as well as learning about another nation's laws and institutions, and all of this is broadening and increasingly important in a shrinking world.''

Mr. Derby said students tend to have special reasons as to why they choose to participate in summer abroad programs in these countries. He said one reason some students choose to go is because of an interest in a particular foreign location, which may be due to family origins, to undergraduate studies, or to aesthetic or philosophical reasons. Other students may go because they simply want to experience a new place. ''India is the most exotic in several ways. Although the widespread knowledge of English facilitates many things, the culture is dramatically different, and travel is challenging,'' said Mr. Derby. ''The highlight of the program is the visit to Dharmsala, where the Tibetan government in exile is found and where in most years the participants are able to have an audience with the Dalai Lama, which is an extraordinary spiritual experience.''

Mr. Derby said all of the students who have been through the program have found the experience personally rewarding. He said some students have even begun legal careers involving the program country, most of whom possess the language skills and have family roots in the program country.

While most students do have positive experiences in study abroad programs, making the move, though temporary, can be difficult, especially when a student does not know anyone in their program location. Ms. Thompson said it was ''a little bit scary'' making living arrangements in a foreign city but was able to get advice and suggestions on where to live from the firm. Ms. Thompson said overall she would recommend the Buenos Aires program to others who have similar goals and a good grasp of the language of the country. ''This type of program is not for everyone, because participants are really on their own, and the experience is really what you make of it. Even though everyone in the office spoke English very well, knowledge of Spanish was necessary for work and just for day-to-day life in the city.''

Ms. Thompson said that she also would have liked to go to Buenos Aires with more law school experience. She said since she had only taken basic courses, she was not proficient in securities, bankruptcy, lobby law, and other relevant course work.

''We accept students after 1 year of law school,'' said Mr. Campbell. ''Generally they would be better equipped to benefit themselves and the host firms after two years, but in the summer after their second year, many want to have U.S. summer associateships to get their feet into some doors and/or earn some money…understandably. If you can swing it, it is an invaluable experience.''

For Ms. Thompson, the experience has been invaluable. She said because of her language ability and familiarity with U.S. law, she had the opportunity to work on very large and important assignments that she would not have had at a U.S. firm. She said the flexibility of the program allowed her to work on projects that interested her. Her Spanish language skills have also improved, particularly her Spanish legal vocabulary. She said she now has an understanding of a different legal system, which in turn has allowed her to learn more about the American legal system and practice. She believes her experience will help her in the future, regardless of whether she practices international law.

''I think this unique summer experience might give me an edge in finding paid work this summer. In interviews, interviewers all ask about my summer in Buenos Aires,'' Ms. Thompson said.