After leading its inaugural study abroad program in Kosovo last year, Mitchell Hamline’s Center for Law and Business will return to the country in July 2026, bringing students and alumni to experience transitional justice first-hand.
As the youngest country in Europe, Kosovo has both a modern and traditional culture, said Center for Law and Business Director and Professor Kim Vu-Dinh, who had traveled to the nation four times prior to leading the inaugural trip.
“I knew the students would learn a lot being in Kosovo,” she said, “and I thought, ‘what a wonderful opportunity to bring students and introduce them to such a unique culture, not just in Europe but in the world.’”
Over the course of two weeks, students dove into topics on transitional justice and economic development with the University of Pristina and connected with professors and peers at the University of Mitrovica and the University of Applied Sciences in Ferizaj. They met Supreme Court justices, explored cities rich with centuries of religious and ethnic tolerance, and visited both Muslim and Serbian Orthodox Christian historic sites.
“I want more people to experience this,” said 3L student Ahmed Nasman about his time in Kosovo. “I want more people to get out of the four walls of the classroom and see how much you can learn being exposed to a whole different world. It was a really eye-opening experience.”
Students and alumni are eligible to join Mitchell Hamline for its second study abroad program in Kosovo, happening from July 6 to July 17, 2026. The program will examine transitional justice and economic development in post-conflict societies, using Kosovo as a central case study. Hosted by the University of Pristina, coursework will focus on legal institutions, accountability mechanisms, and post-conflict reconstruction. Participants benefit from experiential learning by taking part in extensive off-campus site visits and engaging directly with Kosovar judges, practitioners, and academics. The registration deadline is April 30, 2026.
While engaging in immersive, faculty-led legal education abroad, alumni also have the opportunity to earn CLE credit. The course is the equivalent of a three-credit law school class and approximately 40 hours of CLE credit in Minnesota. Many other jurisdictions also permit CLE credit, and Mitchell Hamline can provide the necessary supporting documentation to request CLE credit. Upon submitting their application, alumni will be able to meet directly with Vu-Dinh to discuss the program and their professional goals.