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Holiday wish list: Study abroad with UF Law

by Katie Blasewitz

Third-year environmental law student, Katherine Isaacs, takes a self-portrait on the beach in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica.

It’s time to drop those wish list hints, and if there is one thing you should ask for this holiday season it’s the chance to discover the law globally through the UF Law study abroad programs.

With summer programs in San Jose, Costa Rica; Cape Town, South Africa; and Montpellier and Paris, France, students who study abroad gain international experience and exposure and a distinguishing edge in today’s competitive job market.

UF Law jointly sponsors the ABA-approved summer law programs with the University of Costa Rica, University of Cape Town and University of Montpellier.

This summer, the Costa Rica program will emphasize comparative and international water law and policy and be interdisciplinary, with one course taught by a team of faculty in law, ecology and anthropology.

The program works with the University of Costa Rica and environmental law institutions throughout Latin America to bring together attorneys, scientists and students from the region to develop their skills through case studies, comparative research, simulations, issue-based field trips and service to the environmental community (More information on the Costa Rica program »).

"I found the Costa Rica study abroad experience invaluable. I now have an entirely new international perspective on environmental law. The travel and the people were amazing. I would take any of those five hour bus rides again," said Katherine Isaacs (3L).

Students studying in both the Montpellier and Cape Town programs benefit from a dual focus on comparative and international law.

Jennifer Hartzler (2L), wearing a University of Cape Town sweatshirt, stands on Lion's Head Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa.

While in Cape Town, students examine South Africa's Civil Law system, compare its constitution to ours and supplement study of South African cultural heritage with visits to Robben Island and other sites significant in the anti-apartheid struggle (More information on the South Africa program »).

"My study abroad experience in Cape Town was truly transformative," said Jennifer Hartzler (2L). My time in South Africa made me more aware of American and South African law, of race relations and progress, of socioeconomic challenges, of nature and of myself."

Alternatively, the Montpellier program brings American and French professors together to examine various aspects of United States and French legal systems and European community law. Both French and American students meet with members of the judiciary and the legal profession.

“The program was far more rewarding than I imagined and I have been recommending the trip to everyone who has expressed any interest,” said second-year law student Alexander Hernandez. I continue to bring the perspectives from the courses abroad into my class discussions at Levin.”

The first week of the five-week program is spent in Paris, while the last four weeks are at the University of Montpellier.(More information on the Paris & Montpellier program »).

“The small intimacy of Montpellier was a sharp contrast to the historical metropolis that is Paris, but it was a welcome contrast,” said Hernandez. Classes became even more interesting; we were now attending class with a group of French students who are as opinionated and shocked about the U.S. system of law as we were about the French legal system.”

Classes in all three programs are taught in English.

Fees and Expenses

The cost for each of the programs varies, but is similar to the average cost of attending UF Law for one semester. The Office of Student Affairs has broken down expected expenses for each of the programs.

View budget information for:

• San Jose, Costa Rica
• Cape Town, South Africa
• Paris & Montpellier, France

How to Apply

The deadline for applications for all three programs is March 16, 2009 – no applications will be accepted after that date. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and incomplete applications will not be evaluated. Please note the following application information:

1. Include a $150 deposit, payable to the UF Law Center Association
2. Costa Rica only - Attach your resume and a one page statement with your reasons for wanting to study abroad and how this experience relates to your academic goals.
3. Refund and Cancellation Policy: The $150 deposit is non-refundable. The University of Florida reserves the right to alter or cancel the program should circumstances warrant it. Refunds will be made in the event of cancellation.
4. Passport: If you do not have a passport, you must apply for it two months prior to the program beginning date to ensure that you will have one before departure. Visit http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.

For more information, contact the Director of Student Programs Michelle Ocepek at 352-273-0620 or ocepek@law.ufl.edu.