Abroad programs

Wayne Law Study abroad programs

Wayne Law offers international study opportunities through exchange programs with three foreign law schools: 

  • National Taiwan University (NTU) – College of Law (Taipei, Taiwan) 
  • University of Maribor – Faculty of Law (Maribor, Slovenia) 
  • Maastricht University – Faculty of Law (Maastricht, Netherlands) 

These programs provide students with the opportunity to develop a global legal perspective, gain cross-cultural competencies, and engage in comparative and international law studies. 

Educational Objectives 

Wayne Law’s study abroad programs aim to: 

  • Provide students with exposure to different legal systems and international law. 
  • Enhance cultural competency by immersing students in foreign legal environments. 
  • Expand students' professional networks by connecting them with international legal scholars, practitioners, and students. 
  • Develop students’ research and critical thinking skills in comparative legal analysis. 

Partner Law Schools & Exchange Program Details

National Taiwan University (NTU) – College of Law 

  • Course offerings: International and comparative law courses 
  • Library access: Full access to NTU’s law library and legal databases 
  • Academic oversight: Exchange Coordinator assists students with course approvals
  • Housing fees & details: Exchange students can find information on housing availability, approximate costs, and location options through NTU’s student housing resources. Details on accommodations, pricing, and application procedures can be accessed here.
  • Disability accessibility:
  • Contact person: Hoeyyi Ting, NTU College of Law International Affairs Coordinator  
  • Email: ntulawintex@ntu.edu.tw 
  • Phone: +886 2 3366 7281 

University of Maribor – Faculty of Law (Maribor, Slovenia)

  • Course offerings: European and international law, arbitration, corporate law, public international law, and cross-border legal studies
  • Library access: Full access to the University of Maribor Faculty of Law Library, including multilingual legal resources and interlibrary loan services
  • Academic oversight: Academic advising is coordinated by Prof. Suzana Kraljić, Ph.D., and Vice Dean for International Affairs, Prof. Vesna Rijavec, Ph.D.
  • Housing fees & details: Exchange students can find information on housing availability, approximate costs, and location options through the University of Maribor’s student housing resources. Details on accommodations, pricing, and application procedures can be accessed here.
  • Disability accessibility:
  • Contact person: Dr. Cocou Marius Mensah, Assistant Professor and Jean Monnet Module Coordinator
  • Email: cocou.mensah@um.si
  • Phone: +386 2 250 42 23

Maastricht University – Faculty of Law 

Application Process 

Students seeking to enroll in a study abroad program must meet the following requirements: 

  • Completion of at least one full year of law school before departure 
  • Good academic standing 
  • Submission of an application including:  
  • Cover letter describing interest in foreign study, relevant background, and language skills 
  • Current resume 

Applications should be sent to Professor Gregory Fox, Director of the Program for International Legal Studies, at gfox@wayne.edu no later than March 1, 2025. 

Academic Credit & Course Approval 

Wayne Law ensures that all study abroad coursework meets ABA Standard 310 and aligns with Wayne Law’s curriculum.

  • Pre-enrollment course review: Students must submit proposed courses for approval before departure to ensure they meet academic requirements.
  • Registrar approval: Students must meet with the Registrar’s Office to confirm course transfer eligibility and degree applicability.
  • Credit transfer system:
    • NTU follows its own credit-hour structure.
    • Maastricht and Maribor use the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS).

For full details, refer to the Wayne State University Law School Study Abroad Credit Approval and Transfer Policy.

For additional questions, contact the Wayne Law Registrar’s Office. 

Financial Information 

  • Tuition & fees: Wayne Law students pay tuition to Wayne Law, not the host school. 
  • Housing & living costs: Each partner school provides estimated living expenses and housing options. 
  • Financial aid: Students may apply for grants, scholarships, or loans to support travel and living expenses. 
  • Refund policies: Since tuition is paid to Wayne Law, refunds do not apply to host institutions. 

Student Evaluations & Feedback 

Students who participate in a study abroad program are encouraged to submit feedback about their experience. Evaluations may cover: 

  • Course quality and academic expectations 
  • Faculty support and guidance 
  • Overall study abroad experience 

Students can submit evaluations to Professor Gregory Fox, Director of the Program for International Legal Studies, and with permission, summaries may be posted on the PILS website for future applicants

Travel & Safety Information 

Wayne Law provides students with U.S. State Department country-specific travel information for all study abroad locations. In the event of a travel advisory or alert, students will be notified and given the opportunity to withdraw from the program. 

For more information on study abroad opportunities, contact Professor Gregory Fox, Director of the Program for International Legal Studies at gfox@wayne.edu.  

Summer internships and fellowships abroad

  • Freeman Fellowship at The Hague, Netherlands

    Overview (2023)

    Stipend amount: $5,000

    The Wayne Program for International Legal Studies is proud to announce applications are now open for the 2022 Freeman Fellowship. The Freeman Fellowship provides a $5,000.00 stipend to one Wayne Law student to study public or private international law at the prestigious Hague Academy of International Law over the summer.

    About the Hague Academy

    The Hague Academy is the academic wing of the International Court of Justice, also known as the World Court. Law students come from all over the world to hear leading international lawyers give classes on issues of cutting-edge importance. More information about the Hague Academy summer program is available on their website.

    Application criteria/how to apply

    Because courses at the Academy are taught at an advanced level, we can only accept applications from 2L or 3L students who have taken at least one international law course.

    Applications for the Freeman Fellowship are now being accepted. To apply, please submit the following materials to Professor Gregory Fox (gfox@wayne.edu) by Monday, February 13 at 5:00 pm.

    • A cover letter explaining any experience you may have that is relevant to studying at the Hague Academy and the nature of your interest in public or private international law
    • A current CV, and
    • A current law school transcript, either official or unofficial.

    Late applications or applications missing any of the above materials will not be considered.

    Questions

    Professor Gregory Fox, director of the Program for International Legal Studies: gfox@wayne.edu.

  • International Public Interest Law Fellowship

    Overview (2020)

    PLEASE NOTE: This program will not be offered during Summer 2023.

    Stipend amount: $5,000

    International Public Interest Law Fellowships will assist with the costs of a summer internship with the Institute for Democratic Government in Accra, Ghana.  You can find more information about the Institute here.

    Duration

    The internship is intended to last approximately 8-10 weeks, roughly from June 1 to August 1. However, particular start and end dates may be negotiated with the Institute.

    Stipend

    Scholarship funding is intended to assist with the costs associated with living in Accra. The intern will receive a $5,000 stipend to cover travel, living and other expenses during the internship. It is possible the cost of living in Accra may exceed this amount. Fellows are responsible for any expenses incurred during their fellowships that exceed the scholarship amount.

    Application materials

    To apply for the International Public Interest Scholarship, applicants must submit all of the following:

    • A current CV that includes the names of at least two references
    • A cover letter that describes your interest in the internship and any relevant personal background, including course work, experience overseas, knowledge of foreign languages/cultures and interest in international or comparative law
    • A writing sample involving legal research and analysis that is in substantial part the applicant’s own work.
    • An official or unofficial law school transcript.

    We would prefer that all applications materials be sent as a single PDF document.

     

  • Internship at Tata Motors

    Overview (2023)

    PLEASE NOTE: This program will be offered for Summer 2023.

    Stipend amount: $4,000

    This internship funds all travel and living expenses for a position in the legal department of Tata Motors. The internship will be located in Tata’s legal department at one of its largest production facilities in the city of Pune, India.

    The intern will work with the legal staff of the company and provide support to business units by performing research in Indian and comparative law on a variety of topics. The exact nature of the work varies from year to year. The internship may involve editing or drafting contracts. In addition, the intern should be industrious with respect to factual research regarding such matters as industry trends, consumer preferences, and emissions and environmental data. All applications are due Monday, February 20 at 5 pm

    Duration

    Approximately 8-10 weeks in June, July and August. Specific dates for the internship will be negotiated with the company

    Qualifications

    The internship is open to all students enrolled at Wayne Law School. A business background is desirable but not required. Experience living or traveling abroad is also desirable but not required.

    Stipend

    $4,000 covers travel to and from India, visa fees, and the costs of necessary vaccinations. Tata will provide housing and meals at no cost to the intern.

    Obligations

    The intern will expected to perform the work assigned at Tata conscientiously and diligently; to conduct him or herself in a professional manner that will bring credit to Wayne Law School; and to return to Wayne Law School in the school year following the internship.

    Application materials

    An application should contain the following materials:

    1. A cover letter explaining the applicant’s interest in working at Tata and highlighting any relevant experience  (including time spent abroad), course work and language skills
    2. A current CV, including contact information for two references.
    3. A current law school transcript, official or unofficial
    4. A writing sample involving legal research and analysis that is in substantial part the applicant’s own work.

    We would prefer that all applications materials be sent as a single PDF document.

     

  • Internship at Hogan Lovells in Mexico City

    Overview (2023)

    The Mexico City firm of Hogan Lovells (formerly Barrera, Sequiros y Torres Landa) is one of Mexico’s leading law firms. The office is consistently ranked as one of the top in Latin America. Its lawyers provide advice on a wide variety of issues, from regulatory matters to foreign investment in Mexico. Many of the firm’s partners have LL.M. degrees from top American law schools. The firm is deeply involved in legal issues arising from the recent liberalization of Mexican laws in areas such as telecommunications and energy development. 

    For more information about the firm, its lawyers and the legal issues it addresses, please consult at the firm’s website.

    Language requirements

    Because of the firm’s location and its practice, a working knowledge of Spanish is required for this internship. Fluency is not essential. Not all the work is in Spanish, and indeed much of the firm’s international work takes place in English. 

    Finances

    The firm will pay the intern an amount sufficient to cover air fare and living expenses. 

    Application materials

    Applications must include the following:

    • A current CV, including the names of and contact information for at least two references
    • A cover letter explaining the applicant’s interest in the firm and highlighting any relevant experience, course work and language skills
    • A writing sample involving legal research and analysis that is in substantial part the applicant’s own work.
    • A current law school transcript, either official or unofficial

    We would prefer that all applications materials be sent as a single PDF document.

    Please address applications to Professor Gregory Fox (gfox@wayne.edu) with the subject line, “Hogan Lovells Application” and send them by email no later than Monday, February 20 at 5:00 pm.  Late applications or applications missing any of the above materials will not be considered.

  • Internship in International Arbitration Group at WilmerHale in London

    The Summer 2023 fellowship has been filled, but students will be able to apply for 2024 in the fall.

    This paid internship is in the International Arbitration Practice Group in the London office of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, one of the premier international law firms with offices around the world. The internship lasts for three months, either during the summer or the fall. The internship involves work across a wide range of responsibilities under the supervision of WilmerHale partners and full-time associates, principally in the field of international arbitration and related areas of transnational litigation. More information about international arbitration at Wilmer can be found here.

    This is one of the most prestigious placements in legal practice. It will open doors for any career path you may choose. All U.S. employers know WilmerHale as one of the nation's most selective and prestigious law firms.

    The internship is open to second- and third-year students. In the Winter semester prior to starting at Wilmer, interns are strongly encouraged to take the International Arbitration course at Wayne Law.