Frequently Asked Questions, Kosovo Study Abroad

FAQ—Mitchell Hamline International Comparative Law Kosovo Program

• 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 Kosovo 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 Kosovo?

  We will provide you with a letter explaining that you are admitted to and attending the International Comparative Law Kosovo Program. This letter will assist you in returning to Kosovo if you leave the country. THIS LETTER IS IMPORTANT! Students who have failed to bring it with them, or who have lost it, have encountered substantial problems. We are UNABLE to provide you with a replacement letter at the last minute.

• Will I need to purchase international medical insurance?

  Students attending summer courses are required to either 1) purchase travel insurance before departing for Kosovo 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 Kosovo Program?

  The program enrollment is estimated to be around 15 students.

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

  File the 2025–26 FAFSA after December 1, 2024. The International Comparative Law Kosovo Program budget includes the deposit fee, tuition, course fees, along with budgeted amounts for books, round-trip coach airfare, meals, trip insurance, and assorted personal expenses. You’ll receive budget details and the specific June disbursement date in March after you are admitted and have a 2024–25 FAFSA on file. Be prepared to pay the deposit and your airfare in advance of receiving financial aid. Financial Aid Consortium Agreements can be faxed: 651-290-6437 or emailed: FinAid @mitchellhamline.edu. Call 651-290-6403 with questions.

• Can I use my Mitchell Hamline scholarship to pay for Mitchell Hamline in Kosovo tuition?

  Mitchell Hamline scholarships cannot be used for any 2025 Kosovo summer school courses in-person. However, note that courses are provided at a heavily discounted rate. (Each credit is $850 for everyone.)

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

  International Comparative Law Kosovo Program has scheduled in Saturdays and Sundays for course-related travel, and it is included course fee. If enrollment is insufficient to pay for out-of-town travel, course-related site visits in Pristina will be scheduled in its place.

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

  From a Western perspective, public transportation in Kosovo is extremely inexpensive. As of Jan 2025, there currently are no international train lines operating, but there are a few train lines running in-country (from Pristina to Peja). There are multiple buses, however, both municipal and national.

• 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.

• Is it possible to take more than one course?

  Yes. In fact, students must take both courses unless they have already taken the classroom component on campus.

• How do I apply?

  Complete the application found online and will need to be submitted along with online deposit payment of $450. This payment will be applied to tuition and fees. Questions regarding payment can be sent to Kosovo.TravelAbroad@mitchellhamline.edu.

• 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 Kosovo.TravelAbroad@mitchellhamline.edu, 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 Kosovo 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 Kosovo International Comparative Law Program, you must pay the initial $450 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 lynn.lemoine@mitchellhamline.edu, and you will need to provide verification documenting the reason for the absence.

• Will I receive more information about the Mitchell Hamline International Comparative Law Kosovo program?

  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 lynn.lemoine@mitchellhamline.edu. 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 a Kosovo outlet?

  Like elsewhere in Europe, appliances in Kosovo run on 230 volts. Plug adapters and power converters are needed for U.S. appliances. Check any appliances that you wish to use carefully to see what voltage is specified. Items such as laptops will often specify “100 – 240V” either on the equipment or the power supply (if it has one). If not then you will need a transformer to operate your appliance. Make sure you bring the correct voltage (220v). Most U.S. travel stores sell a converter that will permit you to use U.S. appliances in the Kosovo.

• What is the weather like in Kosovo in June?

  Pristina is mostly hot (80 degrees F) and sunny. It can be rainy, so you should pack an umbrella or rain gear. While it is often cool, some days can be rather warm. The hotels selected for this program are air-conditioned but note that many buildings are not. The classroom location and multiple cafes and restaurants in town are air-conditioned, however.

• Do I need to bring courtroom attire?

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