UIC Law
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The opportunity for law students to study abroad has numerous benefits. Learning about different approaches to legal systems and cross-cultural considerations will make a lawyer better prepared to deal with a globalized legal practice. Our study abroad programs are designed to introduce students to lawyers and other students from different countries, which will not only lead to a broader understanding of legal principles, but which may help with networking in the future. In addition, having an international experience is something that law students can market to potential employers, whether a domestic law firm which does business abroad or a foreign law firm looking for new attorneys versed both in U.S. law and with exposure to other legal systems.
Message from Paul Lewis Heading link
“A broader understanding of the globalized legal world will aid in your career in ways which may be difficult to comprehend at this time. The law you will learn will challenge your basic legal assumptions, and the contacts you make may pay dividends in your career for many years in the future.”
| Professor and Director, Center for International Law
Planning to Study Abroad Heading link
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Recommended time
The best term for Law students to study abroad is Fall of their third year, but it may be possible to send second year students abroad in the Spring. Students interested in studying abroad may contact Professor Lewis or the Study Abroad Office.
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Academic Advising Information
Students interested in studying abroad should contact Professor Paul Lewis, Professor and Director, Center for International Law (plewis8@uic.edu), to discuss academics and course selection. Students can also contact Anthony Terenzio, Assistant Director, Study Abroad (ateren4@uic.edu), regarding the application process and other questions (see next section).
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Meet with the Study Abroad Office
Our advisors at the Study Abroad Office are excited to meet with you to discuss your interest in and goals for studying abroad. You can meet our team of advisors and learn about the programs they advise for here.
First Step
First Step Info Sessions are required for all study abroad applicants as a starting point for the application process. The presentation reviews how to select a program that aligns with your academic, personal, and professional goals, the application and course approval processes, financial aid policies, and scholarship opportunities. Learn more about our First Step sessions here.
Peer Advisor and General Study Abroad Advising
Once you’ve watched or attended a First Step session, you may still have some general questions or be unsure of what program you want to participate on. No worries, our Peer Advisor or Study Abroad Advisor can assist you! Our Peer Advisor is typically a current student who recently returned from studying abroad, so they can be an excellent resource in answering a lot of your initial questions and telling you about their study abroad experience. Additionally, our Study Abroad Advisor can help you reflect on your interests and goals to begin identifying potential programs of interest. Contact them at sao@uic.edu or make an appointment via iAdvise*.
Study Abroad Program Advising
The study abroad program advisor for UIC Law programs is Anthony Terenzio, Assistant Director, Study Abroad. You can make an appointment with Anthony via iAdvise or email him at ateren4@uic.edu.
Questions to ask your Study Abroad Advisor
- What are the eligibility requirements for the program(s) in which you are interested?
- What is the application deadline for the program(s) in which you are interested?
- What does the application process entail and is admission to the program competitive?
- What coursework is offered?
- What co-curricular experiences (ex: internships, research, social-cultural excursions/field trips etc.) are included?
- What is the cost of the program; what is and is not included?
- Review our funding resources here and discuss any questions you have.
- Discuss any personal matters or concerns you may have so your advisor can share resources and help you plan for your time abroad. As a start, explore our Navigating Your Identities Abroad page for resources related to different underrepresented identities and the abroad experience.
*To make an appointment with an SAO staff member in iAdvise, log on to my.UIC.edu and visit the Advising Tab. Click on iAdvise and you will go to your Success Network. Search for “Study Abroad” in the search bar to make your appointment or scroll down to our advisor profiles to schedule an appointment directly.
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Funding Resources
Studying abroad does not have to cost more than a typical semester at UIC. In addition, there are many resources available to help students afford study abroad. Check out some advice below and explore all of our funding resources in this section of our website.
Review Your Program’s Cost Sheet
Every study abroad program has its own webpage on our site. Use our program search to find a program of interest. On the Finances tab of each program page you will find a cost sheet which provides information on the billable and non-billable expenses associated with a program. Billable expenses are those expenses charged to your UIC student account while non-billable expenses are items you need to budget for but that are not charged to your student account, such as airfare, passport etc. Make sure to review your program’s cost sheet to help you understand the total estimated cost of studying abroad.
Explore Funding Resources
There are many resources available to you to help make funding study abroad a reality.
- Meet with a representative of the Financial Aid Office to understand what federal financial aid you may have available to use towards studying abroad. More information is available here.
- Apply for study abroad scholarships. There are numerous scholarships specific to studying abroad and UIC students are often competitive applicants. Check out UIC specific scholarships as well as scholarships offered by our program partners and nationally-competitive scholarships here.
- Tap your networks and leverage community-based funding. Studying abroad is an exciting academic opportunity in which many people in your networks would likely be happy to help support you. Find some tips for effective community-based funding here.
Highlighted Programs for UIC Law Students Heading link
There are currently two exchange programs offered to UIC Law Students – Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic and University of Lucerne in Lucerne, Switzerland.
