Program Overview:
Geneva is our international law survey program. Students can elect to enroll in all, one, or any combination of the week-long courses offered on this program.
It's common for students who wish to spend the entire summer abroad to attend one of our early programs (The Hague, Costa Rica, Sydney, Vienna, or Singapore) before attending our program in Geneva.
Key Dates
Application Deadline: March 15, 2024 (or until program is filled)
Pre-departure Online Orientation Friday, April 12, 2023 1-3pm (PST)
Geneva program dates are based on enrollment.
Each week, orientation and classes begin on Monday, final exams are administered on Friday.
Full Program: Monday, June 10, 2024 to Friday, July 5, 2024
Or pick any combination of weeks:
Week 1: Public International Law - Monday June 10, 2024 to Friday June 14, 2024
Week 2: International Human Rights Law - Monday, June 17, 2024 to Friday, June 21, 2024
Week 3: International Intellectual Property Law - Monday, June 24, 2024 to Friday, June 28, 2024
Week 4: International Humanitarian Law - Monday, July 01, 2024 to Friday, July 05, 2024
|
Term |
Year |
App Deadline |
Decision Date |
Start Date |
End Date |
|
Summer 2 |
2024 |
03/15/2024 |
Rolling admission |
06/10/2024 |
07/05/2024 |
Application Process:
Santa Clara Law Study Abroad Programs are open to all students of ABA and California Bar Accredited Law Schools that are in good academic standing.
The programs are not competitive - if you are in good standing, you are qualified to participate!
All classes are taught in English and are accredited by ABA.
Connect with Us and Learn More:
Non-Santa Clara Students
Schedule a zoom or in person appointment for personal advising or contact LawStudyAbroad@scu.edu to request an in person or zoom presentation for your Law School.
General Summer Abroad Information Sessions
These are general information sessions where we discuss all of our summer abroad programs, the application process, and other introductory topics. Each session has the same information. You are welcome to attend whatever session works best for you.
- November 8, 2023 12-1pm via zoom (registration link)
- November 9, 2023 6pm via zoom (registration link)
- December 19, 2023 12-1pm via zoom (registration link)
Annual Study Abroad Fair
Each of our summer abroad programs will have a table in the Charney Atrium to connect with interested students. The Faculty Program Director as well as students who have attended the programs in the past will be there to answer questions.
- November 15, 2023 12-2pm, Charney Hall Atrium
Program Specific Tabling
The study abroad administrator and the SCU professor who will run this program will be available in the Charney Hall Atrium to answer questions and connect with interested students. Stop by and say hi!
- Charney Hall Atrium (near Side Bar Cafe)
Academic Course:
Students may attend all or some portion of the four week academic program, depending upon their particular interest. Each week taken alone is worth 1 unit of credit; or for the entire 4 week program, 5 units of credit will be given.
- Full Program - all 4 weeks - 5 credits
- Or pick any combination of weeks:
- Week 1: Public International Law - 1 credit
- Week 2: International Human Rights Law - 1 credit
- Week 3: International Intellectual Property Law - 1 credit
- Week 4: International Humanitarian Law - 1 credit
Course Descriptions
The Geneva program provides a unique overview of public international law while focusing on three main areas of international practice: human rights law, humanitarian law, and international intellectual property law. Geneva is home to the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the World Intellectual Property Organization, and many of the most important human rights NGOs.The program includes visits to, and briefings at, the key UN and international institutions located in Geneva. The seminars are taught in the mornings, and site visits are scheduled in the afternoons. Classes are held at Webster University, located in the residential lakeside commune of Bellevue.
International Human Rights Law (IHRL) This course covers a range of aspects of IHRL, such as International human rights treaties, the enforcement mechanisms and universal and regional systems of international human rights law (particularly the UN and the Inter-American System), as well as other monitoring, implementation and enforcement mechanisms.
Public International Law (PIL) covers the laws, rules, and principles of general application that deal with the conduct of nation states and international organizations among themselves as well as the relationships between nation states and international organizations with persons, whether natural or juridical. This course covers a range of aspects of PIL, such as, sources of PIL, international organizations and institutions, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and others.
International Intellectual Property (IIP) law deals with the rules for securing and enforcing legal rights to inventions, designs, and artistic works internationally. It has become an increasingly important and frequently litigated area, particularly in the patent, copyright, and trademark arenas. This course provides a basic foundation for thinking about intellectual property problems that arise in an international context, such as patent, copyright, trademark, and unfair competition issues. The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the key principles, agreements, and institutions that govern international intellectual property.
International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is the law that regulates the conduct of war. It is the branch of international law which seeks to limit the effects of armed conflict by protecting persons who are not participating in hostilities, and by restricting and regulating the means and methods of warfare available to combatants. This course covers a range of aspects of IHL, such as the sources of IHL, the treatment of prisoners of war, the prohibition of certain weapons and means of warfare, the prosecution of war crimes; and includes the study of case law and case studies.
Site Visits
Potential Site Visits Include:
- United Nations
- International Committee of the Red Cross
- World Intellectual Property Organization
- World Health Organization
- International Labor Organization
- Non-Governmental Organizations
Program Director
Teaching Faculty
- See our summer teaching faculty here: https://law.scu.edu/international/international-law-faculty/
Embedded Video
Estimated Expenses, Financial Aid, and Billing:
Deposit
A non-refundable deposit of $300 for the class and an additional non-refundable deposit of $700 for an externship (if applicable) is required to secure your spot. This is applied toward your tuition charge. The deposit is payable to Santa Clara University. The deposit may be paid via credit card, wire transfer, or check.
Tuition
The summer study abroad tuition rate is $1,250/unit for J.D. students. LL.M. students should contact LawStudyAbroad@scu.edu for tuition information. Emergency travel assistance insurance is included in the tuition price. Tuition is payable to Santa Clara University. Tuition may be paid via bank transfer, international wire transfer (Flywire) or check. Tuition is not payable by credit card.
Living Expenses
Students are responsible for arranging and paying for their own airfare, housing, food, local travel costs, incidentals, and supplies.
Payment Deadlines
Tuition will be charged to your student account (WorkDay) in April and payment will be due no later than April 21st. Non-Santa Clara Law students who have submitted a Financial Aid Consortium Agreement as well as Santa Clara Law students who requested Financial Aid in their Summer Survey, are given until May 21st to submit their tuition payments. Increases to enrollment after May 21st (such as adding externship units) require prepayment.
Refunds
Deposits are non-refundable. The final day to withdraw from any program for a refund of tuition is April 21st. Withdraw must be submitted in writing to LawStudyAbroad@scu.edu. Reduction in enrollment after April 21st (such as decreasing externship units) are not eligible for refunds.
Program Cancellation
Santa Clara University School of Law does not anticipate the canceling of the program. However, war, natural disaster, widespread contagious disease, terrorism, or comparable events, or insufficient enrollment, could cause cancellation. Should cancellation occur, students will be notified by e-mail and all deposits and tuition paid for the program will be refunded.
Financial Aid
US law students are typically eligible for financial aid to cover tuition, airfare, housing, food, local travel costs and school supplies. Financial Aid is processed and disbursed by the
student's home institution.
Santa Clara Law Students:
- In the Spring Semester, Santa Clara Law Financial Aid will request that you complete the Summer Survey, which will ask for your enrollment plans and whether you need financial aid.
- To request financial aid for summer, you must have a FAFSA on file with SCU Law Financial Aid.
- Santa Clara Law academic scholarships generally do not cover summer study abroad, with the exception of the Dean’s Fellowship, which does cover full study abroad tuition.
Non-Santa Clara Law Students:
- Contact your home school’s financial aid office and request that they send a financial aid consortium agreement to Santa Clara Law Financial Aid (LawFinancialAid@scu.edu).
For questions related to financial aid for study abroad programs, students should contact Santa Clara Law Financial Aid at LawFinancialAid@scu.edu and CC: LawStudyAbroad@scu.edu
Estimated Expenses
We provide these estimated expenses as a courtesy to assist students with their travel plans and to support financial aid processes. Your personal expenses may vary depending on your travel and living arrangements. Please contact LawStudyAbroad@scu.edu to request general or personalized estimated expenses for this program.
Housing and Life Abroad:
Housing
Students are responsible for arranging their own housing and we cannot recommend or endorse housing. Classes are held at Webster University and students are eligible to book Webster University housing at a discounted rate. Information on the optional Webster University housing is included in the application process. Air conditioning is rare and heavily restricted in Switzerland so do not expect to have air conditioning in your apartment or dorm.
Connecting with Other Students Going Abroad
Starting in February, deposited students will be invited to join a whatsapp group for your program to connect with other students to discuss housing and travel plans.
Connecting with Alumni of this Program
If you would like to speak to alumni of this program, please contact LawStudyAbroad@scu.edu
Exploring the Area
Geneva is a beautiful and sophisticated city nestled in the foothills of both the French and Swiss Alps. Lake Leman divides the city, with the old city and university on one side and the United Nations Organization, train station and airport on the other. Montreux and Lausanne are nearby, and Florence, Paris and other magnificent sites are easily accessible on the weekends. Hiking opportunities in the Alps abound. You can stroll by the lake, take a traditional steamer to one of the many villages, or simply enjoy the vista of the snow-covered Mount Blanc towering in the distance. Enjoy fondue? Try one of the many outdoor cafes surrounding the cathedral in the old town. Here you can take a virtual tour of the Palais des Nations -- the historic home of the UN in Geneva, Switzerland.
Santa Clara University does not endorse any of these tours or links. Links provided may be used as a starting point to virtually explore and prepare for your desired program destination from home.
Testimonials:
Our Geneva Summer Program has an overall rating of 4.5 based off of past evaluations from participants (Scale of 1-5, 1=poor, 5=excellent)
"My experience participating in the Geneva program, with the small class size, interesting
course load, and opportunities for public speaking, was ultimately an extremely helpful fast track training in how to speak, research, and write more successfully within a legal context. In addition, learning from international legal representatives of the United Nations, the World Health Organization, Red Cross and more has helped me better understand international law and how it is connected to the United States, assisting me in the future both if I go into international law or choose to work in a domestic context."
- Ariel Fields, Santa Clara University (2019)
"What I liked most about my summer experience is that I figured out what it is I want to do with my life. With the classes I took, the site visit, and the externship in London and internship at home, this experienced helped me narrow down where I believe my path is, working to combat human trafficking. I also learned more about myself on this journey of discovery!"
- Lusa Tshibangu, St. Mary's University (2019)
"As a soon-to-be attorney practicing Public International Law and International Disaster Response Law, Santa Clara Law’s Geneva Program enabled me to experience what it would be like to practice in the heart of today’s humanitarian effort. I had the privilege of studying Public International, International Intellectual Property, International Humanitarian, and International Human Rights Law with four prestigious professors who are experts in their respective fields. In addition to experiencing life as an attorney in Geneva, the program also incorporated amazing site visits that not only offered great networking opportunities, but also inspired my passion and love for legal drafting! This was truly an experience of a lifetime!"
- Courtney Connors, Florida Coastal School of Law (2016)
Click here to view more testimonials from past students!
Travel Information
US State Department Tips for Traveling Abroad
US State Department Travel Safety Information
US Department of State Country Specific Information
US Department of State: Passport Services
US Department of State Worldwide Caution
Centers for Disease Control Health Information
Traveling with Disabilities in Switzerland