Summer Study Abroad Program in the Alps
From June 29 to July 31, 2020 St. Mary’s University and its European partner, the University of Innsbruck, will mark the 35th year of the St. Mary’s Institute on World Legal Problems in Innsbruck, Austria.
Since 1986, students from more than 130 American law schools and several European and Asian law schools have participated in the Institute, whose courses are conducted in English. One of the longest continuously operated summer law study programs offered by any American law school, the Institute continues in its commitment to offer a “First-Class International Law Education in a World-Class Location.”
Students in good standing at any ABA- or state-approved law school are eligible to enroll.
Studying Law Abroad
Participants visit local government offices and the state seat of government, and guest lectures typically are presented by European professors. Scholars traveling in Europe and lawyers abroad on international business often are invited to share insights with the classes or deliver special lectures on important international topics.
Students have the opportunity to converse with foreign scholars and Austrian lawyers on several occasions. Austrian students will participate in classes, off-campus visits, and social events, along with their American colleagues.
The St. Mary’s University summer program in international law at the University of Innsbruck has been fully accredited by the American Bar Association since its inception in 1986. The St. Mary’s University School of Law is approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654, 312-988-6738.
As part of the accreditation process, the ABA requires law schools to make certain information available to students planning to participate in foreign programs. The following information is set forth to comply with those requirements.
ABA Accreditation
An average of 50 students have participated in each of the last 10 programs at Innsbruck. In 2018, 58 students attended the program, of whom three were from schools other than St. Mary’s. There will likely be a similar enrollment in 2020. Because the curriculum contains five courses, it is probable that most classes will have an enrollment of between 10 and 30 students.
Although there is no definite limit on the number of students who may participate in the program, at some point adequate student housing might not be available and the students enrolled for a class might exceed the capacity of the largest classroom available (about 150).
Size of Enrollment
Each year several students from foreign countries participate in the St. Mary’s program. There are usually no more than 10 foreign students in the program. They are typically drawn from Austria, Germany and other European countries.
Because at least one of the classrooms that will be used by the program seats 150 persons, it is unlikely that the enrollment in any course will have to be limited. There are no course prerequisites for any of the classes. Each class is taught with the assumption that the students have completed one year of American legal education.
Foreign Students
Browse through photos and videos of places Innsbruck students have visited on day trips, find updated information, and learn more:
The University of Innsbruck is the foreign sponsor for the St. Mary’s University Institute on World Legal Problems, and may be contacted through: Professor Bernhard Koch, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria, Telephone (011-43-512) 507-8031, Fax (011-43-512) 507-2821.
Offices, study areas, and classrooms are comfortably housed in the main building of the University. Students have access to the international and comparative law collections of the University libraries. Selected American works are also available and students are provided Internet access through the University of Innsbruck.
The classrooms and administrative offices for the St. Mary’s University Institute on World Legal Problems are located in the main building of the University of Innsbruck. The facilities available to the program include a large faculty office, a small student library/study room with several tables and chairs, and several large and small classrooms with bench-type seating. Students may use the library and computing facilities of the University of Innsbruck, and will have internet access through the University’s wifi network.
Facilities and Contact
Some portions of the classroom building at the University of Innsbruck, and many public accommodations in Austria, are not readily accessible to persons with disabilities. Specific information about the obstacles a person with a disability would be likely to encounter can be obtained from the director of the program, by phone or mail.
Persons with Disabilities
The Institute is conducted under the co-direction of Professors of Law Victoria Mather and Chad Pomeroy. Mather teaches and writes in the areas of population law, family law, wills and trusts, property and estate planning. Pomeroy teaches a variety of business and property-focused classes, including oil and gas, mortgages, property and business associations.
Faculty and Administration
Summer Program Tuition and Costs
The tuition in Innsbruck is the same as at the home campus of St. Mary’s University, which currently is $1,315 per credit. There are no special fees, but students must purchase any books required for their courses.
In addition to tuition, students must pay for transportation, housing, and living expenses. Last summer most students found that a round-trip flight from the United States to a major European city cost about $1,200 to $1,800. Many students purchase a Eurail pass to enable them to travel by train. Some persons spend considerably less for rail travel, and others more.
Students from St. Mary’s must enroll in not less than five credits, nor more than six credits. Students from other law schools can take no more than six credits and are subject to any minimum credit-hour requirement set by their home institutions. Classes begin on Monday, July 1 (students should arrive in Innsbruck no later than Sunday, June 30). The last exams will be no later than Friday, August 2nd.
The cost of food and meals in Innsbruck is approximately what a student might pay in the United States. Students must purchase books, if needed, for their courses before departing for Europe. The cost is the same as would be incurred for similar courses taken at a law school campus in the United States. Entertainment and travel expenses vary greatly from person to person. Most students travel on weekends. Those who spend their weekends enjoying the Innsbruck area attractions, many of which are free, will spend considerably less.
Students must apply separately for course enrollment and for housing. Enrollment applications are accepted on a first-come basis and must be accompanied by a $100 tuition deposit. Visiting students must submit a letter of good standing from an ABA- or state-accredited law school.
More Details
Summer Study Abroad Scholarships
The Sarah Thompson Memorial Fund honors the memory of Sarah K. Thompson, a former St. Mary’s Law student who loved to study the law and experienced her first time traveling in Europe. Sarah was also involved in her church community, helping the elderly and doing Pro Bono. She was very supportive of her classmates,family, and friends. The main purpose of this memorial scholarship is to continue the memory of Sarah, since she tragically died in an accident during her 2L year. Because Sarah thoroughly enjoyed her participation in the Innsbruck Study Abroad program, her parents funded this scholarship so that another law student could benefit from Austria in the same way Sarah did.
The Flint Fund was established by Professor Richard Flint and Sister Grace Walle to assist St. Mary’s law school students who wish to attend the Innsbruck program.
Because some of its members attended the Innsbruck program, ClaytonRamirez, PLLC established the ClaytonRamirez, PLLC Law Innsbruck Scholarship to assist students who want to study in Innsbruck.
The Founders “Institute on World Legal Problems in Innsbruck” Scholarship honors the professors who founded the program in 1986.
The Shield-Ayres Foundation established The Robert Moss Ayres, Jr. Memorial Scholarship as a way to support law students who could otherwise not afford to participate in the Innsbruck program. Marshall Ayres Bowen (J.D. ’18, M.A. ’18), one of the trustees of the foundation, attended the program in 2016 and recognized the value it added to his legal education.
The Ariens Family Scholarship was made possible by the generous support of Professor of Law Michael Ariens, a veteran director and faculty member of the Innsbruck Program and of St. Mary’s University School of Law. (Application coming soon).
Finally, the Emiliano Infante Segrera Scholarship is offered through the generous support of Emil R. Infante (J.D. ’00), who attended the program while he was a law student.
Submit your application to lawcampusministry@stmarytx.edu. All applications are due by 5 p.m. on March 29, 2020.
Summer Study Abroad Scholarships
