Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Berlin, Germany

Cambridge, England

Rhodos, Greek Isles

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Siena, Italy

HOW AND WHY TO CHOOSE A PARTICULAR SUMMER LAW PROGRAM

1. THE COURSES OFFERED IN THE PROGRAM:  Although location is always a factor, you do not want to sit through classes that simply do not interest you.  While a foreign summer program is always an adventure, it is first and foremost an academic experience.  Don’t think you will be happy in [fill in the blank] no matter what courses you are taking.  You won’t be.  
   
   
2. THE FACULTY:  Students should review the biographies of the program’s faculty, to see if they are experts in their fields, or simply professors who wanted to spend the summer abroad -- and teaching in a summer program was one way to do that.  Students should look not only at the credentials of the faculty, but should also check to see if the program draws on faculty from a wide variety of schools in the United States, and from foreign law faculties. 
   
   
3. THE LOCATION:  Does the location of the program make sense, given its academic focus, and does the program take full advantage of that location, through field trips, excursions, etc? 
   
   
4. THE HOUSING: What type(s) of accommodations are offered, and at what price?
   
   
5. THE REPUTATION OF THE PROGRAM:  While students should always consider the source of anything they hear about a program, if other students from the school they are attending have gone on the foreign program, their experiences and opinions can be invaluable.
   
   
6. THE COST OF THE PROGRAM:  While the cost of a program is always important, it is the least important factor.  Just as a student would not choose a law school simply because it was the cheapest one, neither should a student pick a summer law program solely on that basis.