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Study in Costa Rica, South Africa or France with UF Law

Second-year environmental law student Michael Willson (right) and friend Dan Vazquez (2L) walk down the beach in Costa Rica.

Did you know that UF Law offers three great summer study abroad opportunities?

In this economic climate, it's imperative to focus on marketability and to constantly take action towards setting yourself apart. Study abroad experience gained during law school shows potential employers that you made the most of your time.

It’s time 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 three ABA-approved summer law programs with the University of Costa Rica, University of Cape Town and University of Montpellier. Classes in all three programs are taught in English.

This summer, the Costa Rica program will have a special emphasis on comparative and international water law and policy, featuring interdisciplinary watershed case studies developed and taught by UF and Costa Rican faculty from law, environmental engineering 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 through the UF Law Conservation Clinic and its University of Costa Rica counterpart. (Visit the Costa Rica Web site).

This year’s program will include participation by law students from the Brazilian Amazon as part of an ongoing UF effort to assist in promoting environmental law education in that region.

“The Costa Rica program offers many unique experiences- from tagging sea turtles on an isolated beach at 2 a.m., an overnight trip on a world class white water river, to getting to know your way around San Jose – all while earning summer credits,” said Michael Willson (2L). “I would recommend it to anyone with a desire to stay off the Euro, practice their Spanish, spend long weekends at the beach, and study international and environmental law,” he said.

Jackie-Jo Brinson (2L), poses with children during her summer study abroad program in Cape Town, South Africa.

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

While in Cape Town, students view 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 (Visit the South Africa Web site).

“Studying abroad in Cape Town, South Africa allowed me to immerse myself in a country that has its own mix of tribal and European culture, unparalleled natural beauty, and an inspirational new Constitution that the country is working toward,” said Jackie-Jo Brinson (2L). “Some of the best parts of the trip were visiting the Cape of Good Hope, studying comparative constitutional law alongside South African law students, and going on the safari of a lifetime. This program truly was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

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.

Erin Swick (2L), stands in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France during her study abroad with UF Law.

“I absolutely loved my time abroad and would recommend this study abroad program to anyone with interests in international law, especially international business law,” said Erin Swick (2L). “Studying in France exposed me to new ways of thinking about interactions between member states of the European Union and just how different the underlying philosophies are in the French and American legal systems.”

The first week of the five-week program is spent in Paris, while the last four weeks are at the University of Montpellier in Montpellier (Visit the Paris & Montpellier Web site).

“Montpellier is a wonderful, vibrant city. While I was there, I lived with a French law student near the law school. This was a unique and wonderful way to immerse myself in the French culture,” she said.

Beyond classes, though, is the unique opportunity to discover Europe as a law student.

“Aside from interesting and thought provoking classes we had many opportunities to travel and sightsee,” said Swick. “Our stay in Paris included trips to the Cour de Cassation and a police history museum. In Montpellier we visited a Chateau and Vineyard, traveled to Nimes to see an end of a stage in the Tour de France, and took a trip to Roquefort to get a taste of EU regulation in action when a French attorney lectured on the export of Roquefort cheese. Our group also visited Nice, Monaco, Nimes and Barcelona - all were only a train ride away from Montpellier.”

Informational Meetings

South Africa
The UF Law summer program in South Africa (June 16-July 18) informational meeting will be on Monday, Jan. 26, at noon in HOL 359. For more information contact the program’s director, Associate Dean Kathie Price, at pricek@law.ufl.edu or 352-273-0706.

Costa Rica
Students interested in Costa Rica Program are invited to attend an informational session in HOL 284 on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at noon. If you attended the session in the fall, please consider stopping by again as we will have more details that make this year’s program especially unique. We will be joined by faculty and graduate students from the Departments of Environmental Engineering and Anthropology and have organized the program around the theme of water resources and sustainable development. Details concerning logistics, schedules, housing, field trips and costs-including financial aid will be provided. The deadline for applications is March 16, but students are encouraged to apply early.

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.