Frequently Asked Questions, Study Abroad Programs with the Center for Law and Business

Frequently Asked Questions, Study Abroad Programs with the Center for Law and Business

• What exactly is good standing for purposes of studying abroad?

  Academic standing is evaluated after a student has earned 17 credits at an ABA-approved law school. Credits are earned only after grades are posted to the transcript. At the time students apply to a study abroad program their standing may not have been evaluated. In this case, the college is still able to grant permission to study abroad which typically suffices when applying to a study abroad program.

  Academic Requirements and Application Information: To participate in study abroad programs, law students must have completed two semesters in full- or part-time study and be in good academic standing as determined by their home institution. A student must understand that, in the event the student is not in good academic standing once all grades are posted, the school in which the student is enrolled has the right to require the student to withdraw and return to the United States. In this case, the student may be refunded tuition so long as it conforms with deadlines, but associated costs such as living expenses, housing, books, travel expenses, etc., will not be refunded. See Liability Schedules for Tuition and Housing Fees in the Terms of Enrollment for more details. Students in their first year of law school should consider their performance in fall semester before applying. Terms of Enrollment 2025

• Will I need a passport or visa?

  You will need a current, valid passport to travel abroad for the International Comparative Law Study Abroad Programs Program. If you are a US Citizen, you will not need to apply for a residence permit or visa. However, if you are not a US citizen, please submit verification that you are able to study in the host country and submit whatever documentation is required (whether it is a visa or an electronic travel authorization. You can make that determination here.

  What is the procedure for obtaining a passport? Visit the website travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html for complete details on obtaining a passport.

• Do I need anything else to go through passport control in the program country?

  You are responsible for determining whether you need to enter the program country based on your citizenship and legal status. We will provide an official letter confirming your admission to and participation in the International Comparative Law Program. This letter is essential for re-entering the program country if you leave. Do not lose it. Students who failed to bring this letter have experienced significant delays, and we cannot issue last-minute replacements.

• Will I need to purchase international medical insurance?

  Students attending summer courses are required to either 1) purchase travel insurance before departing for Study Abroad Programs or 2) show proof that existing insurance will provide coverage internationally. Travel insurance provides essential protection, particularly for healthcare needs, including emergency medical treatment while abroad. Students can purchase travel insurance through various providers, considering their specific needs, coverage details, and policy terms to ensure comprehensive protection during their time abroad. More information will be provided in the Student Handbook that will be sent to accepted students.

• Will the grades transfer as pass/fail or letter grades?

  It depends. Courses taken by Mitchell Hamline students in a Mitchell Hamline sponsored study abroad program are not considered transfer credits. They are Mitchell Hamline credits and as such, they count toward your JD.

  Students from non-Mitchell Hamline law schools should check with their own school to determine credit and grade transfer.

• What if I go to another law school’s study abroad program?

  In all other cases, courses taken in non-Mitchell Hamline foreign summer programs by Mitchell Hamline students are considered transfer courses. Such courses are listed on the Mitchell Hamline transcript. The name of the sponsoring school and the grade earned is listed, but grades are not calculated into the student’s Mitchell Hamline GPA. Note that you cannot enroll in two study abroad programs that run concurrently for any period of time. If a student is doing so, that student will be automatically withdrawn from the Mitchell Hamline Study Abroad Program and forfeit any tuition or fees paid.

• Can I bring a family member or friend?

  Yes. However, either you, the friend, or family member must arrange for their own housing.

• What is the estimated size of enrollment for the International Comparative Law Study Abroad Programs?

  The program enrollment is estimated to be around 15 students per course.

• What is included in the financial aid budget? How do I apply?

  File the FAFSA as soon as it becomes available for the academic year in which your study-abroad program will occur. The program budget typically includes the deposit, tuition, course fees, and estimated costs for books, round-trip airfare, meals, travel insurance, and personal expenses. You will receive detailed budget information and the financial-aid disbursement timeline after admission and once your FAFSA for that academic year is on file. Be prepared to pay the program deposit and airfare before financial aid is released. For students not matriculated at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, Financial Aid Consortium Agreements with your institution may be submitted by fax (651-290-6437) or email ([email protected]). For questions, call 651-290-6403.

• Can I use my Mitchell Hamline scholarship to pay for Mitchell Hamline in Study Abroad Programs tuition?

  Mitchell Hamline scholarships cannot be used for any Study Abroad Programs with the Center for Law and Business summer school courses in-person. However, note that courses are provided at a heavily discounted rate.

• Will there be time for extra traveling (i.e. weekend excursions)? Will financial aid help cover that type of expense?

  International Comparative Law Study Abroad Programs Program has scheduled in Saturdays and Sundays for course-related travel, and it is included course fee.

• Is it possible to travel around the country before and after the course?

  Students are welcome to arrange personal travel before and/or after the official program dates. Please note, however, that any expenses associated with travel outside the course period are not included in the program cost estimate. Students are responsible for planning and covering these additional costs independently.

• How soon will I be notified of my acceptance?

  Generally, you will be notified by email with a welcome letter within two weeks of your intake interview with a faculty member or staff of Mitchell Hamline School of Law.

• Should I purchase my plane ticket now/soon?

  If you have been notified of your acceptance into the program, you can begin making your travel arrangements. Early booking can often result in substantial savings. However, financial aid proceeds are not available sooner than 10 days prior to the start of the program, so you will need to pay for your tickets in advance and be reimbursed when financial aid proceeds arrive. We strongly recommend that you consider purchasing trip

  insurance for your airline tickets in the event that world-wide events necessitate a change in your travel schedule.

• What if the program is canceled? Will I get a refund of tuition? Airfare? Housing?

  If the State Department issues a Travel Advisory or Warning for an area where our program is being held, students will have the opportunity to withdraw from the program and receive a full refund of tuition paid. We cannot refund the cost of airfare or housing, and we recommend purchasing trip insurance if you are purchasing well in advance. Likewise, if the program is canceled for any reason, students would receive a full tuition refund.

• Do we get our airfare as a group or individually?

  You are responsible for purchasing your airline tickets for travel. If you arrange a group of 10 or more who want to travel together, you may find discounted tickets through a consolidator. Often these types of tickets are non-refundable, so again, look into trip insurance.

• How hard are the classes?

  The courses are designed to be of academic rigor comparable to what you would experience in similar courses on Mitchell Hamline’s US coursework.

• How do I apply?

  Applicants must submit their application using the appropriate registration link (depending on whether they are currently a student or a law graduate). After submitting the application, applicants will receive explicit instructions on how to schedule a required interview with a program faculty member. If accepted into the program, a nonrefundable deposit of $500—applied toward program fees—must be paid within two weeks of the acceptance notification.

• Do I need a letter of good standing?

  Mitchell Hamline students do not need a letter of good standing. Visiting students from other ABA-approved institutions may not take this course for credit at this time. Students from non-ABA schools may take this course and must follow their home institution’s procedures for course credit. Those students will need to ask their registrar’s office to email [email protected], OR, the student can upload the document to the application portal once accepted.

• May I attend more than one study abroad program?

  Yes, assuming the dates don’t overlap.

• If I attend a summer abroad program, will I be able to graduate early?

  Enrolling in courses during the summer offers the opportunity to either graduate early or to enroll at a lower credit level in a future semester, but whether or not early graduation or lower enrollment levels become a reality depends on many other factors. Consult with your home school for more information.

• For the Mitchell Hamline Study Abroad Programs International Comparative Law Program, will Mitchell Hamline wait for financial aid to be disbursed in order to pay the tuition and housing after acceptance into the program?

  In order to secure your seat in the Mitchell Hamline Study Abroad Programs International Comparative Law Program, you must pay the initial $500 deposit fee within two weeks of your acceptance into the program. With verification of financial aid, Mitchell Hamline will wait for the remainder of the tuition and housing balance until the financial aid proceeds are disbursed. You then pay the remaining balance of tuition and housing directly to Mitchell Hamline when your financial aid is received.

• Is there an Attendance Policy for students?

  Yes, there is a mandatory attendance policy for students enrolled in Mitchell Hamline’s study abroad program. The American Bar Association (ABA) has strict attendance requirements for study abroad programs. Under these rules, attendance will be taken at every class by the professor. Only one (1) absence from class may be excused; any additional absences are grounds for being withdrawn from the class without a refund.

  Students must request to be excused from class before taking an absence. In cases of unexpected emergencies, the request may be made after the absence. Requests will only be granted for the following reasons:

  Medical Reasons: Illness or injury that prevents the student from attending classes, supported by a doctor’s note or medical documentation.

  Family Emergencies: Such as a death in the family or a serious illness of a close relative that requires the student’s presence.

  Religious Observances: Absences for religious holidays or events that are recognized by the school.

  These requests will be handled by Dean Lynne LeMoine in Mitchell Hamline’s Office of Academic Affairs [email protected], and you will need to provide verification documenting the reason for the absence.

• Will I receive more information about the program in the country I have selected?

  Yes, we will provide the student handbook once interviewed and accepted into the program.

• Should I bring my laptop, tablet or iPad?

  Yes, you must bring a device to the program as all reading and assessment materials will be disseminated electronically. Your device will assist you in the classroom and, of course, with communication to loved ones and colleagues back home.

• Is attendance on class field trips subject to the Attendance Policy for students?

  Yes, student attendance on field trips is required and subject to the same regulations under the American Bar Association (ABA) attendance requirements for study abroad programs.

• If I need to request an absence from class, how can I submit it?

  All requests for absences will need to be directed to the Dean of Students Lynn LeMoine at [email protected]. Requests will need to include the reason for the absence.

• Will I face other consequences for skipping classes?

  Yes, Mitchell Hamline students attend the Study Abroad Courses at a discounted rate. This discounted rate is designed to ensure that as many students as possible are able to take advantage of the amazing opportunity of studying abroad. This discounted rate is predicated on students attending classes consistently. If students are consistently late to class, they will risk jeopardizing this discounted rate and may be charged full tuition for the class.

• Is registering for multiple concurrent programs allowed?

  No, students cannot be enrolled in multiple classes that also run during these 10 days without obtaining permission beforehand.

  STUDENTS MAY NOT ENROLL IN MULTIPLE STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS THAT RUN DURING THE SAME DAYS AT ANY POINT IN THE PROGRAM. MITCHELL HAMLINE STUDENTS MAY NOT ENROLL IN PROGRAMS RUN BY OTHER SCHOOLS WITHOUT OBTAINING PERMISSION BEFOREHAND. THIS POLICY IS A STRICT REQUIREMENT OF THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION ACCREDITATION PROCESS. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE.

• Can I plug my laptop, tablet, iPad, or other appliances into an outlet in the program country?

  Many countries use 220–240V electrical systems. U.S. appliances typically require plug adapters and, in some cases, voltage converters. Check each device to confirm its voltage rating—many laptops and electronics list ‘100–240V’ on the device or power supply and do not need a transformer. If your appliance is not dual-voltage, you will need a converter to use it abroad. Be sure to bring the correct plug adapter and any necessary voltage converter; these are widely available at U.S. travel stores.

• Do I need to bring courtroom attire?

  Casual dress is fine for class, but courtroom attire will be needed for courtroom visits.