Program Overview
Our Sydney program offers course work in contemporary human rights topics including Forced Migration, Refugee and Asylum, as well as a week of Indigenous Law and Protections. After the core academic program, students can opt to add on a human rights externship experience.
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: Tuesday, May 21, 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
Dates/Deadlines:
|
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 Units
- Forced Migration Law and Law of Indigenous Peoples
- 4 Credits
Course Description
This academic program will focus on two issues of tremendous current global importance – forced migration and the rights of indigenous peoples. In terms of forced migration law, students will study refugee law, as well as relief for victims of trafficking in persons, torture, crime, and war, and environmental factors in migration flows. In terms of the law of indigenous persons, students will study topics such as the regional and international treaties addressing the rights of indigenous peoples and current issues involving indigenous peoples in Australia and in the United States. The class will also make numerous site visits to Australian courts and legal institutions and have the opportunity to discuss with Australian judges and lawyers. And the program will make time for a weekend trip to an Australian wildlife park and the beautiful Blue Mountains. Evaluation is based on class participation and a final written exam.
Site Visits
Potential site visits include:
- Refugee Protection Firm
- Local criminal court
- Indigenous Law Non-profit
Program Director
Teaching Faculty
- View our summer teaching faculty 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 affiliated with the Sydney program are in human rights fields, typically in non-profits or law firms based in Australia.
Locations
Sydney and Melbourne placements: We are fortunate to have several excellent externship placements. Some are with non-governmental legal offices representing refugees and victims of human trafficking. These provide an ideal opportunity for students to put into practical effect what they have learned during the Forced Migration portion of the course. We also have a placement in a non-profit environmental law office, for students who were to apply what they’ve learned in the Environmental Law section of the course. Finally, we have several placements in criminal defense, which give students the opportunity to observe first-hand and assist in the practice of law in Australia.
Read more about the Student Extern Experience HERE!
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 Living Abroad:
Housing
Listings are provided for informational purposes and do not imply endorsement by Santa Clara University.
Sydney has a number of different neighborhoods, and it also has a great public transportation system (bus, tram, train, and ferry). UTS, where we hold classes, is in the Haymarket section of Sydney (close to Darling Harbour), and the following neighborhoods are generally within walking distance of UTS: downtown Sydney, Haymarket, Pyrmont, Surry Hills, and Glebe.
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
The University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) is similar to MIT in the United States, but also has a law school, with law faculty who are leaders in law and technology issues. The University is located in central Sydney, between Darling Harbor and the Central Station. The law school buildings are new and modern with excellent classrooms. Sydney has numerous means of public transportation, including buses, ferries, water taxis, trains, light rail, and monorail. There are also a number of passes which are available to visitors who will be using public transportation frequently that are cheaper than buying individual tickets. Sydney Transport Maps are available at any bus, ferry or rail office. Learn more about transportation.
Previous students took trips to the Blue Mountains, the Great Barrier Reef, Bondi Beach (great surfing!), and the Sydney Zoo, and took ferries along the expansive Sydney Harbor. An evening at the Sydney Opera House is also a great event!
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.
Check out this tour with 360 degree views of famous sites around Sydney! Throughout this tour, you will stop by the famous Sydney Opera House, get a close look at the Sydney Harbour Bridge, visit Luna Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens, and more.
Testimonials
Our Sydney Summer Program has an overall rating of 4.6 based off of past evaluations from participants (Scale of 1-5, 1=poor, 5=excellent)
"The Forced Migration course was very enlightening and it greatly prepared me for my externship. The course coupled with the externship are by far the highlight of my legal career. Moreover, the externship was very rewarding. I was able to work directly with clients and was even able to assist my supervisor in successfully procuring a protection visa."
- Keonna England, University of North Dakota (2019)
"Participating in the Sydney program under Professor Abriel’s supervision was a wonderful experience. The three week intensive course on Refugee law equipped me with the knowledge and skills I needed for the externship that followed. I externed at the Asylum Seeker Resource Center in Melbourne. Working with and getting to know the lawyers, volunteers, and asylum seeking clients was an invaluable experience. It made me confident about my future career goals and my abilities to engage in this type of legal environment."
- Madeleine Tavcar, Santa Clara University (2018)
"To anyone who is just thinking about a study abroad program, just do it. There is no more rewarding experience than learning to apply the law in another country while soaking up the local culture. This experience is guaranteed to enrich your legal education."
- Constance Mutong, Appalachian School of Law (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