- What exactly is good standing for purposes of studying abroad?
- Will I need a passport or visa?
- What is the procedure for getting a passport?
- Will I need to purchase international medical insurance?
- Will the grades transfer as pass/fail or letter grades?
- What if I go to another law school’s study abroad program?
- What is the housing like?
- Can I find my own housing?
- Can I bring a family member or friend?
- What is included in the financial aid budget? How do I apply?
- Will there be time for “extra” traveling? (i.e. weekend excursions) Will financial aid help cover that type of expense?
- Should I purchase a BritRail or EuroRail pass? Is that included in financial aid?
- How soon will I be notified of my acceptance?
- Should I purchase my plane ticket now/soon?
- What if the program is canceled? Will I get a refund of tuition? Airfare? Housing?
- Do we get our airfare as a group or individually?
- How hard are the classes?
- Is it possible to go to “part” of one program? (i.e., only take 2 credits when 4 is what the program requires/offers)
- What if I have to miss orientation or the first day of classes?
- How do I apply? (IMPORTANT, PLEASE NOTE!)
- May I attend more than one study abroad program?
- If I attend a summer abroad program, will I be able to graduate early?
- For Galway, will New England School of Law (NESL) wait for financial aid for the $500 tuition deposit after acceptance into the program?
Call 713-646-1701, or e-mail studyabroad@stcl.edu for more information.
What exactly is good standing for purposes of studying abroad?
“A Letter of Good Standing will be issued only if a student has made satisfactory arrangements for settlement of his/her account and is not considered at Academic Risk. No student may become a visiting student at another ABA-approved law school at any time such student is on Probation or under Special Academic Supervision.” In addition to the academic status requirements, South Texas College of Law Houston students must also have completed at least 30 semester hours at the end of the semester immediately preceding enrollment in the study abroad program.
Are there any exceptions to the grade point average requirement?
No.
Will I need a passport or visa?
You will need a current, valid passport to travel abroad. A visa or residence permit may be required for full semester programs when the duration is longer than three months.
What is the procedure for getting a passport?
Visit the website https://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html for complete details on obtaining a passport.
Will I need to purchase international medical insurance?
Unless your existing medical insurance policy covers you while overseas, you will need to purchase a separate policy to cover medical emergencies, including coverage for medical evacuation or repatriation expenses should it become necessary. Several companies offer this type of insurance and it is relatively inexpensive. Samples of brochures are available in Room 835.
Will the grades transfer as pass/fail or letter grades?
In the South Texas College of Law Houston-sponsored summer programs, grades earned will transfer as letter grades and will be averaged in the student’s cumulative grade point average. Students not from South Texas College of Law Houston should check with their home schools for questions about grade transfer policies.
What if I go to another law school’s study abroad program?
Students regularly enrolled at South Texas College of Law Houston may receive credit toward graduation by taking courses as a visiting student at another ABA-approved law school, or in a study abroad program, by obtaining advance written approval on a form available in the Registrar’s Office. The Registrar in conjunction with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs must approve the student’s overall plan and each course to be taken prior to the student registering at the other law school. A Letter of Good Standing will be sent to the other law school only if a student has made satisfactory arrangements for settlement of his or her account and has a cumulative grade point average of 3.000. No student may become a visiting student at another ABA-approved law school at any time such student is on Probation or under Special Academic Supervision. See the Student Handbook for complete rules regarding visiting other schools for academic credit. If approved to visit another ABA-approved law school, all grades received as a visiting student or at a study abroad program not sponsored by South Texas College of Law Houston are recorded on a pass/fail basis and are not included in the student’s cumulative grade point average.
What is the housing like in:
Galway, Ireland – Participants are housed in university student apartments, overlooking the River Corrib on the edge of the university campus. Apartments include en suite bedrooms, desks, phones, and common rooms with color TV’s and kitchenettes. Meals are not included in program costs.
Malta – Students make their own housing arrangements in Malta. The International Programs staff will assist in identifying possible housing options upon request.
London, England – Students have the option of utilizing housing furnished by the program or making their own living arrangements.
Prague, Czech Republic – Students make their own housing arrangements in Prague. The International Programs staff will assist in identifying possible housing options upon request.
Santiago, Chile – Students make their own housing arrangements in Santiago. Classes are in the Providencia area of Santiago, so living near that area will allow students to walk to class, or the facility is approximately a 5 minute walk to the Manuel Montt subway station.
Can I find my own housing?
With the exception of the program in Galway, Ireland, you may arrange your own housing. Living expenses for Galway have been built into the program’s direct expenses.
Can I bring a family member or friend?
You should contact the program director to obtain advance permission to bring a family member or friend. Assuming there is sufficient housing available and that you cover the costs of that person’s meals and accommodation, it may be possible.
What is included in the financial aid budget? How do I apply?
See the handout from the Financial Aid Office for budgets for each program. Amounts are budgeted to cover tuition, fees, books, round-trip coach airfare, housing, personal and miscellaneous expenses. Apply directly through the financial aid office at your law school to determine aid eligibility and requirements.
Will there be time for “extra” traveling? (i.e. weekend excursions) Will financial aid help cover that type of expense?
Most programs have one or more long weekends built into the program for travel. See each program’s calendar for specific dates available for weekend travel. Consult your financial aid counselor to see if aid for that type of expense is awarded.
Should I purchase a BritRail or EuroRail pass? Is that included in financial aid?
If you plan to travel within the United Kingdom or Europe on long weekends or before or after the program, it could be a worthwhile investment. Consult your financial aid counselor to see if aid for that type of expense is awarded.
How soon will I be notified of my acceptance?
Generally, you will be notified within two or three weeks of your application being submitted or after grades from the preceding semester are recorded (whichever is later). Some programs may wait until the application deadline has passed and process the applications in batch.
Should I purchase my plane ticket now/soon?
Once the application deadline has passed and 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 one of our programs is being held, students will have the opportunity to withdraw from the program and receive a full refund of tuition paid. We can not refund the cost of airfare, which is why trip insurance is recommended. Unused housing fees would also be refunded in this case. Likewise, if the program is canceled for any reason, students would receive a full tuition refund, but are responsible for any travel expenses incurred such as non-refundable airfare and housing deposits.
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?
Only the professors and former students know for sure. However the courses are designed to be of academic rigor comparable to what you would experience in similar courses at your home school. Most programs require written examinations for each course.
Is it possible to go to “part” of one program? (i.e., only take 2 credits when 4 is what the program requires/offers)
Most programs charge a flat tuition rate based on a set number of hours and you are required to take the courses as set forth in the program materials. Where the choice to enroll in less than the full amount of credits offered, there may be a significant impact on financial aid eligibility. You should contact the program director and your financial aid counselor if you want to take less than the required number of credits.
What if I have to miss orientation or the first day of classes?
You need special permission from the program director to miss orientation. Attendance at all regularly scheduled classes is expected of each student. You may contact the program director to see if your request can be accommodated.
How do I apply? (IMPORTANT, PLEASE NOTE!)
Complete the application and pay the application fee online using the URL from the program brochure or website. Non-STCL Houston students should submit a Letter of Good Standing from their Registrar. We will verify good standing or request Letters of Good Standing for South Texas College of Law Houston students. If you plan to receive Financial Aid for the study abroad program, stop by the Financial Aid office first to schedule an appointment to speak to a counselor about your aid eligibility and requirements to receive aid.
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?
Due to ABA residency requirements, it is unlikely that participation in a foreign summer program may be used to accelerate graduation. Check with the Registrar’s office about your particular situation.
For Galway, will New England School of Law (NESL) wait for financial aid for the $500 tuition deposit after acceptance into the program?
In order to secure your seat in the Galway program, you must pay the initial $100 application fee and an additional $500 tuition deposit within two weeks of being notified of your acceptance into the program. With verification of financial aid, NESL will wait for the remainder of the tuition and housing balance until financial aid proceeds are disbursed. You then pay the remaining balance of tuition and housing directly to NESL when your financial aid is received.
If you have other questions, please contact Assistant Dean Wanda Morrow at 713-646-1825, email wmorrow@stcl.edu , or stop by Room 835.
Academic Requirements and Application Information
To participate in study abroad programs, law students must have completed the first year of study or its equivalent in part-time study and be in good academic standing as determined by their home institution. Check each program for application deadlines. For information and application forms, contact Assistant Dean Wanda Morrow or 713-646-1825.