Program Overview:
The Costa Rica program in human rights takes advantage of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and numerous human rights organizations which are located in San José, Costa Rica. Our three-week human rights course provides a broad, general overview of the international human rights system, before drilling deeper to explore human rights within the inter-American system.
Key Dates:
- Application Deadline: March 15, 2024 (or until program is filled)
- Online Pre-departure Orientation: Friday, April 12, 2023 1-3pm (PST)
- On Site Orientation: Monday, May 20, 2024
- Classes Begin: Monday, May 20, 2024
- Classes End: Friday, June 7, 2024
- Examination: Friday, June 7, 2024
- Optional Externship Begin: Monday, June 10, 2024
- Optional Externship End: Friday, July 26, 2024
|
Term |
Year |
App Deadline |
Decision Date |
Start Date |
End Date |
|
Summer |
2024 |
03/15/2024 |
Rolling admission |
05/20/2024 |
06/07/2024 |
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:
Course Title and Credits: Human Rights in the Americas, 4 credits
Course Description
The course introduces students to public international law, the origins and scope of the international human rights movement, global enforcement mechanisms and institutions – with a focus on the United Nations human rights system, covering treaty-based and Charter-based human rights institutions. Students examine both the law and politics of regional human rights through the lens of the inter-American system. These international human rights classes are taught in English Monday-Thursday. We also offer Spanish language instruction and a cultural immersion program at no additional charge. The final exam will be administered in-class at the end of the course, and will be a combination of multiple choice questions, short answers, and short essays.
Site Visits
Site visits may include:
- Meeting with union attorneys and workers who are suffering labor rights violations in banana and pineapple plantations
- Meeting with rural communities who lack basic access to clean water
- Visiting local human rights organizations
- Participating in a hearing before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights
Program Director
Teaching Faculty
- View a list of visiting summer lecturers here - https://law.scu.edu/international/international-law-faculty/
Embedded Video
Add an Externship:
What is an externship?
Externships are optional practical experiences that you can add on to your study abroad program. During the externship period, you will work at a law firm or non-profit to gain hands on, practice training and experience. During this time, you will earn credits toward your law degree.
Students gain valuable practical experience under the supervision of a professional in the host country, while integrating into the legal culture of the country, and making invaluable professional contacts. During the externship period, you will be engaged in your training and experience full time (e.g., 40 hours or more per week). We require a minimum of 50 hours of supervised legal work for each externship unit of credit. In addition to the externship unit enrollment, students will also be registered for and must successfully complete the International Externship Workshop (Law 706i), which is a zero unit partner course designed to ensure that the externship work complies with ABA experiential learning requirements.
Please note externship placement timelines vary. Some placements may not be finalized until the start of the class portion and some placements are finalized during the class portion. Please be patient and do not book non-refundable travel.
Program Externship Summary
Externships after the Costa Rica program are centered on human rights.
Externships in the region almost always require advanced Spanish language skills.
Sample Locations
Costa Rica Externships: Representative placements include the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, international organizations & non-profits working in international human rights or international refugee law.
Students interested in an externship with the Inter-American Court of Human Rights should submit an application directly to the Inter-American Court and inform Prof. Rivera (FJRivera@scu.edu) and CGLP (cglp@scu.edu) accordingly. The court requires students to submit the externship application a full year in advance. Therefore, if accepted, students would do their externship with the court no earlier than the summer after the student completed the Costa Rica summer abroad program.
Mexico, Puerto Rico, Peru, and Dominican Republic Externships: Student placements include international organizations, non-profit organizations focused on human rights, international refugee law, indigenous people’s rights, LGBT rights, and nationality and immigration, among other topics.
If students are interested in a different externship opportunity not listed above, please email Program Director Francisco Rivera and he will do his best to match students with an HR organization.
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
Since housing preferences vary, as do budgets, we ask that students make their own housing choices and arrangements. Some available choices are listed here.
Student Recommended Housing Options
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
Costa Rica is unique among Latin American countries. It has no standing army. Following the Civil War of 1948-49, the country abolished the army and concentrated its efforts on the education of its citizens. Accordingly, Costa Rica has one of the highest rates of literacy in Latin America.
With its stable, democratic government, fully evolved legal system, and relative prosperity, Costa Rica has become a thriving commercial center, as well as a popular destination for tourists and students. San José, the capital city, has also become the hub of human rights activity in Latin America. Located in the city is the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which serves as a host to our program. Other international institutions with headquarters or major offices in San José include the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights, the Center for Justice and International Law, and the University for Peace, located in the nearby Ciudad Colon. The Costa Rica Language Academy which offers language classes and a cultural immersion experience to our group, attract students from around the globe.
Costa Rica’s lovely beaches, volcanoes, and rainforests have made it one of the prime ecotourism destinations in the hemisphere. The country is about the size of the state of West Virginia. Over 11% of its land is protected parkland. One may swim in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans on the same day and visit tropical rainforests in between. Our classes allow three-day weekends so participants may enjoy the natural splendor of this beautiful country.
San José occupies about 18 square miles in the Central Highlands. It has a population of about 350,000 people. The city is backed by Mt. Irazu, a volcano of 11,260 feet. Due to the benign weather, small farms dot the sides of the volcano almost to its peak.
The weather, though tropical and sometimes rainy in the afternoons, is very agreeable in the Central Highlands where San Jose is located. It becomes much hotter and more humid in the coastal areas.
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.
This site will give you all the information you need about your destination in Costa Rica including weather, transportation, activities, and more. Learn more about Costa Rica and its wildlife!
You can also check out the website for the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), an organization whose mission is to promote and protect human rights in the American hemisphere. If you are interested in an externship with IACHR - remember to apply early.
Testimonials
Our Costa Rica Summer Program has an overall rating of 5.00 based off of past evaluations from participants (Scale of 1-5, 1=poor, 5=excellent)
"My externship experience was transformative. I’m so grateful I had this opportunity to work with wise, knowledgeable, and compassionate people from all over the world. It was an honor to participate in UNHCR’s work, which involves helping millions of people in desperate need of protection through large-scale policy advocacy. Since I started law school, I had been struggling with whether I feel most fulfilled helping individuals or working on broader policy. While I have been inclined to want to work on systemic changes that have a wider impact, this experience confirmed that path for me. I gained a new perspective on the world and the US’s role in it, and insight into the role I want to play in service and contribution to society."
- Alison Tabor, Concordia University (2019)
"Santa Clara’s study abroad programs are excellent, and I would recommend them to any law student. I have had the pleasure of going on two programs and feel like they have been the highlight of my law school experience. The classes offer you the opportunity to visit sites and learn from guest speakers that you would never have the chance to meet in the United States. Additionally, I made friends with law students from all over the country and got to share some incredible experiences with them. The friendships and adventures that the summer abroad program offers are a once in a lifetime opportunity."
- McKenna Vanderveen, Seattle University School of Law (Costa Rica 2017; Singapore 2018)
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