Each summer, South Texas College of Law Houston’s Summer Study Abroad Program offers students the opportunity to earn academic credits while taking classes in Prague, Czech Republic.
Led by Director of International Programs and Professor of Law Katerina Lewinbuk, this program deepens students’ understanding of international law and provides them with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Lewinbuk holds the Schweitzer Uprka Endowed Distinguished Professorship, which was funded by Board Member Sharon Schweitzer ’89 and her husband John H. Robinson.
Schweitzer joined the South Texas Law group once again for the Prague experience.
Keep reading for a look back at these students’ time abroad in this retrospective edition of Postcards from Prague.
Week One
We successfully completed our first week of classes and began exploring the rich history and culture of the Czech Republic. With the faculty, we visited the historic Karlstejn Castle and the moving Lidice memorial, gaining valuable insight into the region’s heritage and resilience. We are settling into life abroad, discovering all Prague has to offer, and looking forward to the educational and cultural experiences that lie ahead. Our adventure is off to a wonderful start!
Week Two
Charles University students guided us on a walking tour of Prague, providing both historical context and local perspectives on the city. We made our way through several of Prague’s most iconic sites, including the Old Jewish Cemetery, the Astronomical Clock, Old Town Square, and Charles Bridge.
Along the route, they pointed out significant landmarks, shared stories about Prague’s past and culture, and highlighted details that many tourists overlook. The tour offered a wonderful introduction to the city and an opportunity to connect with local students.
After parting ways at Charles Bridge, we enjoyed a free weekend to continue exploring Prague on our own before joining together for classes the following day.
Week Three
We had the privilege of welcoming South Texas Law Board Member Aparna Dave to the Prague Study Abroad Program. She joined us in a Global Lawyering Seminar and shared valuable insights from her career. She also offered advice and encouragement as we continue our legal education and begin thinking about our future careers.
Following class, several students and Professor Lewinbuk had the opportunity to spend additional time with Ms. Dave, taking her on a short tour of Prague that included lunch and a boat tour through the city. South Texas Law is incredibly grateful to Ms. Dave for investing in us, sharing her expertise, and contributing to this Study Abroad program!
Week Four
During our final week, we had the opportunity to visit the High Court in Prague and hear from Robert Fremr, a distinguished Czech judge specializing in criminal and international law. Judge Fremr shared insights from his impressive career, which includes serving on the Czech Supreme Court, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, and the International Criminal Court, where he was elected first vice-president in 2018.
During our visit to the High Court, we learned about the Czech judicial system and how the country’s courts operate. We had the opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with Judge Fremr, who provided a meaningful look into the Czech court system and made for a memorable educational experience abroad. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to visit the High Court and hear insights from Judge Fremr.
Want to learn more about South Texas Law’s Study Abroad Program? Click here for more information.
