Innsbruck, Austria Summer Study Abroad Program

Summer Study Abroad program in the Alps

The Institute on World Legal Problems in Innsbruck, Austria

From July 1 to Aug. 2, 2019 St. Mary’s University and its European partner, the University of Innsbruck, will mark the 34th year of the St. Mary’s Institute on World Legal Problems in Innsbruck, Austria. Justice Jeff Brown of the Supreme Court of Texas will be the program’s 2019 Distinguished Jurist.

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.

Visits are made to the local government offices and to 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.

Classes meet Monday through midday Thursday. This schedule allows students time to travel on weekends to such destinations as Rome, Paris, the French Riviera, Venice, Vienna, Zurich, Munich, Prague, and Budapest.

Apply online today!
Innsbruck Scholarships

Not ready to apply? You can request more information below.

Distinguished Jurist: Justice Jeff Brown

Justice Jeff Brown has been a judge for 15 years. He has served at all three levels of the Texas judiciary and has served on the Supreme Court of Texas since being appointed by Gov. Rick Perry in 2013. Before serving on the Texas Supreme Court, he served six years each as a trial judge and an appellate justice.

Studying law abroad

ABA Accreditation

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.

Size of Enrollment

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 2019. 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).

Foreign Students

Each year several students from foreign countries participate in the St. Mary’s program. There will probably not be more than 10 foreign students in the 2019 program. They likely will be 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.

Sponsoring Institution

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.

Facilities

The University of Innsbruck is the foreign sponsor of the Institute. 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.

Persons with Disabilities

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.

Faculty and Administration Information

The Institute is conducted under the co-direction of Professors of Law Michael Ariens and Chad Pomeroy. Ariens is an expert in constitution law, legal history, evidence, professional responsibility and the law of church and state. Pomeroy teaches a variety of business and property-focused classes, including oil and gas, mortgages, property and business associations.

Course Information

Course Credit

The acceptance of any credit or grade for a course taken in the Innsbruck program is subject to determination by the student’s home law school. Students are urged to consult appropriate administrators at their own schools regarding the limitations on acceptance of credit earned in this program.

The American Bar Association requires every law school to state that “it is unlikely that participation in foreign summer programs may be used to accelerate graduation.” Students interested in acceleration must explore that issue with their home institutions in light of ABA Standard 304.

Course List

Course Schedule

Introduction to Private International Law (1 credit). Private international law is a body of law used to resolve legal disputes between private individuals who cross international boundaries, including matters relating to children and families, dispute resolution, judicial cooperation (including the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments), insolvency, finance and banking, secured transactions, contract law, electronic commerce, and estate planning issues.  This class will provide a basic introduction to some common issues and provide students with context in a select few areas of application.

Human Rights: Population Law and Policy (1 credit). This course will discuss the basic history, structure, ideas, and components of International Human Rights Law, focusing on the specific area of women’s rights, children’s rights, reproductive rights, and environmental issues related to population law and policy in different nations.

European Dispute Resolution (1 credit). This course compares the approach to resolving disputes among European nations using the civil law system compared with the common law system of dispute resolution, including trials, used in the United States. It will also assess litigation processes and procedures among states in the European Union, and EU directives to those states urging approaches to lower the cost of disputes, particularly those involving consumers.

Lawyering Abroad: Basic Concepts Of European Legal Systems (1 credit, Professor Bernhard Koch, University of Innsbruck). Students in this course will be introduced to the core elements of European legal systems and to their structural dissimilarities with American legal systems.  Emphasis will be placed on major differences between common law and civil law approaches, and examples will be drawn from the laws of Germany, France, and other countries.  Particular attention will be given to the practical aspects of lawyering, such as finding the law and communicating with foreign counsel.

International Business Transactions (2 credits, Professor Richard Flint, St. Mary’s University). This course explores national and international private law relating to the movement of goods and payment of money across national borders; licensing and franchising; direct foreign investment; and dispute resolution in international transactions.

Class Times

First Session (July 1 – July 16)
8:30-9:40 a.m., International Business Transactions, R. Flint
9:50-11:00 a.m., Lawyering Abroad, B. Koch
11:10 a.m.-12:20 p.m., Human Rights: Population Law and Policy, V. Mather

Second Session (July 17 – Aug. 2)
8:30-9:40 a.m., International Business Transactions (continuation), R. Flint
9:50-11:00 a.m., European Dispute Resolution, R. Lampley
11:10 a.m.-12:20 p.m., Private International Law, J. Brown

Exams

Exams

First Session

The examination in Human Rights will be a take-home as assigned in class.

The examination in Lawyering Abroad will be take-home as assigned in class.

International Business Transactions will continue.

Second Session

The examination in Private International Law will be on Thursday, August 1, from 2-3 p.m.

The examination in European Dispute Resolution will be a take home exam due at 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 1. It will be turned in electronically.

The examination for International Business Transactions will be on Friday, August 2, from 8:30-10:30 a.m.

Student Performance

Regular class attendance is required. A student who misses more than one-third of the scheduled class meetings is automatically withdrawn from the course, and grades may be reduced for excessive absences. The grade in each course is based upon a final examination or paper. A portion of the final grade (not exceeding more than one-third of a letter-grade level) may be based on class participation, if announced by the professor during the first week of the course. The grading scale is: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D, and F. Academic regulations are set forth in the Law School’s Student Handbook.

Traveling to Europe

Now is the time to begin planning your air travel for the summer. The following information may help.

Passport. You will need a valid passport to travel to Europe. If you do not have one, you should apply immediately, as the process can take several weeks. Information is available at any post office or from the U.S. State Department. The State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website provides current travel information, alerts, and warnings, in addition to a country specific information sheet for Austria.  You can find this information here.

Destination Cities. Relatively few participants fly into Innsbruck, which has a small airport. Most participants fly into Munich, the closest major airport, approximately two hours from Innsbruck by train or shuttle. Zurich and Milan are each about four hours away, and Frankfurt and Vienna are each five hours away. All of these cities are close enough to be feasible air destinations. You might consider flying into one city and out of a different city, as this opens up your travel opportunities and typically doesn’t cost any more.

London is often the cheapest air destination in Europe, and several discount airlines offer service from London to Munich or Salzburg, each about two hours from Innsbruck by train. The discount fares are attractive, but, if you book with one of these carriers, you should plan on paying a surcharge if you travel with more than a minimal amount of luggage. Also, these airlines will likely fly out of a different airport from the one at which your U.S. flight arrives. Discount airlines include Easyjet, Ryan Air, TUIfly, germanwings and Air Berlin, all of which have English language websites.

Cost. Last summer, the going rate for economy airfares was in the neighborhood of $1,400. Some students found student tickets through discounters for as little as $900, and some paid more than $1,600. Obviously, you need to shop around to get the best available fare. You should be aware that advertised fares often are not available for stays exceeding thirty days.

Shopping for Airfares. Check for flights at Student Travel (1-800-781-4040), www.scottscheapflights.com, www.studentuniverse.com, www.orbitz.com and www.travelocity.com. To secure the best fare, you will need to monitor the Internet carefully or make frequent calls to airlines and travel agents.

When to Book. The longer you wait, the harder it may be to fly on the days on which you want to travel. It is often particularly difficult to schedule flights returning from Europe to the U.S. in August. You should book your flight as soon as you find an acceptable fare, as good fares tend to disappear quickly.

Rail Travel. Student Travel can provide information on rail passes. Rick Steves Travel has an excellent interactive guide to rail passes, or you can check with Rail Europe. Many different kinds of passes are available, and you will need to make some comparisons to determine which is best for you. Sometimes it is cheaper just to buy point-to-point tickets, especially if you don’t intend to make numerous trips over long distances.

Questions? If you have any questions, please email Professor Michael Ariens.

Medical Insurance

Medical insurance is not provided by St. Mary’s University to students or faculty in the program. Students are encouraged to obtain medical insurance if they believe that is necessary.

You can find more information about the St. Mary’s University Study Abroad Plan – Blanket Student Accident and Sickness Insurance here.

Summer Housing Information

There is a separate application procedure for housing, which can be arranged through the agent listed below. Please note that rooms in each category are limited and are allocated on a first- come basis. Find additional accommodation details (PDF).

Housing Contact:
Claire Aubry
Peter T. McLean/Ambrose Historical Tours 2612 Esplanade Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70119 (504) 486-8100
(504) 486-8060 fax
E-mail: claire@stephenambrosetours.com

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 $1,270 per credit. There are no special fees, but students must purchase the books required for their courses.

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.

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 $1400. Many students purchase a Eurail pass to enable them to travel by train. Depending upon the type of Eurail pass purchased, the cost might range between $500 and $800. Some persons spend considerably less for rail travel, and others more.

The cost of food and meals in Innsbruck is approximately what a student might pay in the United States. Students must purchase books 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. Weekend expenditures in the neighborhood of $200 per person would not be uncommon. 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.

The recommended application deadline is June 1, 2019.

Apply online

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, 2019.

Learn more about the Innsbruck summer program

Browse through photos and videos of places Innsbruck students have visited on day trips, find updated information, and learn more:

Follow the Innsbruck Program on Facebook

Or contact us at:

Innsbruck Law Program
St. Mary’s University
School of Law
One Camino Santa Maria
San Antonio, TX 78228-8603
210-436-3544
1-800-INTL-LAW (1-800-468-5529)
Innsbruck@stmarytx.edu