Students Complete First Study Abroad Program in Germany, Near Record Enrollment in Greece

 July 23, 2002

Capital University Law School completed its first study abroad program in Passau, Germany with great success. Thirteen students participated in the program, including seven law students from the University of Passau. Students took classes in the new University of Passau Faculty of Law Building. Faculty from Capital University Law School and the University of Passau offered three courses - Law of the European Union, European Civil Law and Comparative Constitutional Law.

Passau is located in the beautiful Bavarian countryside, at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz Rivers. An idyllic Bavarian town, the city is popular for its canoeing and is a paradise for cyclists and hikers. Students also took advantage of excursions to the nearby European cities of Munich, Salzburg, Venice, Vienna, Nuremberg and Prague.

Capital University Law School has been sponsoring study abroad programs for law students since 1974. In addition to the Germany program, Capital, for the last six years, has sponsored an international law study abroad program in Thessaloniki and Skopelos Island Greece. Forty students, a near record enrollment, participated in the 2002 Greek program, which is co-sponsored by the Centre of International and European Law, a major legal research think-tank proposing laws and scientifically studying law in Europe and the Balkans. Seven international and comparative law courses, taught by professors, attorneys and judges from American and international institutions, were offered.

"The educational and social experiences that students encounter are irreplaceable," explains Professor Robert Wade, director of Capital's study abroad programs. "American students have the opportunity to study law with students from Germany and Greece. This student and faculty diversity provides for an extraordinary learning opportunity as American and international law students discuss and debate current issues in international, European and comparative law."

In addition to students from, Capital University Law School, The University of Passau and The Centre of International and European Economic Law (Thessaloniki, Greece), law students from around the country enroll in Capital's international law programs. This year, students from the law schools of Chicago-Kent; Southern Illinois University, St. Louis University, New England, University of Minnesota, University of Arizona, Albany, Duquesne University, DePaul University, Santa Clara University, University of South Carolina, University of Wyoming, University of Toledo, and Quinnipiac College participated. Students and lawyers from The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, The Demokritus University of Thrace, Southwest Bulgaria University and The University of Belgrade also enrolled in the program.

"The globalization of the world's economy has created a need for attorneys who can understand the complexities of international law and organizations," said Dean Steven C. Bahls, who teaches Legal and Business Ethical Issues in International Trade in the Skopelos Island program. "I always encourage students to try and take advantage of the opportunity to enhance their legal education by studying abroad."

The dates for Capital University Law School's 2003 Summer Abroad Program are as follows: Passau, Germany May 26 - June 19, 2003; Agia Trias Beach (Thessaloniki area), Greece June 23 - July 10, 2003; and Skopelos Island, Greece July 13 - 26, 2003. For more information about Capital Law School's study abroad programs, contact Jessica Poprocki, director of special projects, at (614) 236-6377, or visit www.law.capital.edu/international.