Summer in 2026 in Germany, June 7 – July 3, 2026
As you prepare for your upcoming study abroad program, please review the current Europe Travel Alert updated by the Department of State. The Department of State’s Travel Website contains additional information, including the Worldwide Caution and Country Specific Information.
Application for current MHSL students and Alumni and other JD graduates is now open!
Mitchell Hamline School of Law in Cologne, Germany
The Center for Law and Business at Mitchell Hamline School of Law is offering a unique study abroad program in Cologne, Germany for the summer of 2026, in collaboration with the University of Cologne Faculty of Law. Founded in 1388, the University of Cologne is one of Europe’s oldest and most distinguished universities. Situated along the Rhine River, Cologne has long served as a vital center of commerce, diplomacy, and legal innovation within Europe.
The program, featuring U.S. faculty and academics and practitioners affiliated with the University of Cologne and its program in comparative EU–U.S. law, provides students with a global perspective on health law, international trade, and the evolution of treaty and regulatory frameworks within the European Union. Special attention is given to the development of EU market integration, public welfare systems, and the intersection of health care and economic policy.
Coursework includes rigorous, experiential learning with site visits that connect law, policy, and governance within the European Union and beyond. Students will be required to begin reading course materials in May 2026.
Students may register for one or both courses, which run consecutively.
Course I: Health Law: Organization and Finance (3 credits)
Sunday June 7 – Friday, June 19, 2026. (Classes will take place Monday–Friday, 9:30 am–5:30 pm local time)
Who gets access to care? Who bears the cost? And how do health care systems uphold—or undermine—justice and equity? This course tackles these critical questions by examining the U.S. health care system and comparing it to the UK and other global models.
Students will analyze disparities in access, affordability, and outcomes, focusing on the roles of Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance. Topics include the obligations of hospitals, efforts to combat fraud and abuse, and challenges in preventing anti-competitive practices. With dynamic discussions and immersive site visits, the course offers a deeper understanding of how health care systems can better serve their communities and address inequities.
Course II: Business Law Practicum: Law and Political Economy in the EU – US. Trade and Treaties (3 credits)
Sunday June 21 – Friday, July 3, 2026. (Classes will take place Monday–Friday, 9:30 am–5:30 pm local time)
This practicum-style course examines how law, politics, and economics intersect to shape trade and treaty relationships between the European Union and the United States. Students begin with the historical foundations of post–World War II reconstruction and the creation of the EU as a mechanism for economic cooperation and stability, alongside the evolution of U.S. trade law, including NAFTA and modern U.S. trade policy.
Building from this context, the course turns to contemporary challenges in transatlantic trade—tariffs, and labor standards, and the geopolitical dimensions of global commerce.
Structured as a hands-on practicum, the course integrates interactive simulations, drafting sessions, and negotiation exercises that allow students to apply principles of law and political economy to real-world treaty and trade disputes. Through site visits and collaboration with academics and practitioners affiliated with the University of Cologne and its Program in Comparative EU–U.S. Law, students gain a practical and comparative perspective on international economic governance.
Program faculty
The Germany Summer School faculty bring real-life, international experience to the classroom. The professors teach at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, and there will be guest speakers from the University of Cologne – Faculty of Law, from other law schools, and from local lawyers and judges.
Professor Vu-Dinh will be teaching Course I in collaboration with Fabian Anheier, PhD candidate and staff at University of Cologne, and LLM alumni of Mitchell Hamline School of Law. Professor Hermer will be teaching Course II.
Tuition
Tuition must be paid to Mitchell Hamline School of Law by 9 am on Friday, May 22, 2026. Mitchell Hamline distributes summer loans 10 days before the program begins. If you are not a Mitchell Hamline student, check with your school about loan distribution. If you have questions, please contact the Center for Law and Business at [email protected].
Student housing
While the Germany Study Abroad Program will identify three housing options (hotels) in walking distance to the law school, students are responsible for making their own housing arrangements directly with the hotel. The hotels have been visited in-person by Mitchell Hamline faculty and identified not only for their location but for their convenience of booking online. The three choices provided vary from level of accommodation and cost; however, all options provide a desk for studying, free wifi, and free breakfast. This information will be provided in writing upon acceptance into the program. If individuals have further questions about housing arrangements, please contact us at [email protected].
Registration instructions
Registration deadline is Thursday, April 30, 2026
Admission to International Comparative Law Germany is limited and acceptance is contingent upon review. A select number of spots have been reserved for participants who are not currently MHSL students but would like to audit the course, either for CLE credit, or for no credit.
Applicants must submit the forthcoming online application along with uploading the required documents.
- A $500 non-refundable deposit (100% applicable to program fees) is to be paid in full to Mitchell Hamline School of Law. Applicants can use CashNet to pay fees using the code: Germany: International Comparative Law Deposit Fee.
Note: You will not be considered registered until all materials have been received by the administrator.
Application for current MHSL students and Alumni and other JD graduates is now open!
Accessibility
Campus and Cologne
Cologne and Cologne University have taken steps to ensure accessibility to individuals with disability.
- Buildings: The university campus includes buildings that are both modern and historic. The campus is generally well-equipped for accessibility with ramps, automatic doors, and lifts. However, older buildings may require further adaptation for full accessibility, although the university aims to make these adjustments wherever possible.
- Wheelchair Accessibility: Ramps, accessible lifts, and wide doorways are common, particularly in newly built or renovated buildings. However, it’s advised to check specific areas on the campus for full wheelchair access.
- Accessible Toilets: Most of the university buildings are equipped with accessible toilet facilities.
City of Cologne
- Public Transport: As part of enrollment, students will be provided public transportation passes that may be used to get around Germany.
- Pedestrian Access: The area surrounding the university in Germany has made significant improvements to pedestrian accessibility, with smooth pavement, crossings, and ramps to ensure ease of access for individuals with mobility challenges.
Emergency and personal assistance
For immediate emergencies at the University of Cologne or elsewhere, call Germany’s general emergency numbers: 110 for police and 112 for fire and medical services. For more specific assistance, the University’s Assistance Center offers a number of services.
Please view the webpage for more specific services offered and office contact information.
Questions?
For additional information, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions page linked below. If your question is not covered, please refer to FAQ or please submit your question to [email protected]
Check out Frequently Asked Questions
Terms of enrollment
Students are required to read the Terms of Enrollment before applying.
Enrollment is limited. Placement will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, upon satisfactory completion of the mandatory application and intake interview.
See Terms of Enrollment for details about the following:
- Tuition and fees
- Accreditation
- Financial aid
- Grading and credits
- Cancellation or changes in the program
- International transportation
- Other provisions
- Liability schedules for tuition and housing fees
- Release