By Leslie K Mamaghani
Assistant Dean of Educational Programs
     Because many current legal issues cross national borders, study abroad can be an important part of a law student’s professional preparation.  I encourage all students to consider studying abroad in one of the College of Law’s exchange programs.  These exchange programs provide students with an opportunity to study a variety of  international law and comparative law topics with international faculty.  Additionally, living in a foreign country and experiencing a new culture allows participants to gain some perspective of today’s ever changing global society.
     The College of Law has established exchange programs with the Universidad Torcuato Di Tella School of Law (Bueno Aires, Argentina), the University of Victoria School of Law (British Columbia, Canada), the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Universite Rene Descartes, Paris V University. 
     To be eligible to participate in the exchange program students must be in good academic standing (not on probation) and must be in their third year or second semester of their second year of law studies.  Per College of Law policy students can earn a maximum of 15 study abroad credits towards the J.D. degree.
     In addition to the cultural and educational benefits of an exchange program, the financial benefit is that  College of Law students participating in the program pay Arizona State University tuition and fees for the semester they study abroad. Students do not pay the tuition associated with the foreign institution. 
     Program space is limited.  Students interested in being considered for participation in one of the exchange programs for the spring 2009 semester must submit a letter of interest, a law school transcript, a current resume and a recommendation letter from a member of the College of Law faculty to Leslie Mamaghani (room 261) by 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11. (Extended deadline)
     Students will be chosen to participate in the exchange program by the International Studies committee of the College of Law.  Decisions should be made by mid-September.  Students selected for an exchange program must complete the Center for Global Education Services (CGES) on-line Eligibility Application and pay the required fee for exchange programs (approximately $350) prior to the deadline date of Oct. 1.   More information about CGES and the required application will be provided to the students selected for participation.
     Information about the Universidad Torcuato Di Tella can be found at http://www.utdt.edu/.  Students interested in this program must be fluent in Spanish as classes are taught in Spanish.
     Information about the University of Victoria can be found at http://www.law.uvic.ca/.  
     Information about the National University of Singapore can be found at http://law.nus.edu.sg/. 
     Information about the Universite Rene Descartes, Paris V can be found at http://www.droit.univ-paris5.fr/.  Students interested in this program must be fluent in French as classes are taught in French. 
     College of Law Policies pertaining to study abroad can be found in the Statement of Student Policies (http://www.law.asu.edu/?id=255). 
     Questions about the College of Law exchange programs should be directed to Assistant Dean Leslie Mamaghani.