Sunday, June 9 to Sunday, July 14, 2024

IBTSLP

International Business and Trade Summer Law Program in Kraków Poland

Catholic University's joint venture with the Jagiellonian University in Kraków provides students with intensive training in law of the European Union and global aspects of modern trade, comparative perspectives on regulated industries and antitrust laws in the U.S. and the EU, international business transactions, and other substantive areas of law, international business transactions, and other substantive areas of law. Classes are conducted in English at the 14th-century Jagiellonian University, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe. Unlike most summer abroad programs, a number of English-speaking law students from Polish universities also participate. The Polish and American students attend classes together and participate in all co-curricular activities together. This cross-cultural aspect of the Kraków program is unique and has resulted in many lasting friendships and business contacts.

June 16-17, 2023

United States and Central Europe Connection Weekend: The Future of Transatlantic Investment

The Columbus School of Law of The Catholic University of America (CUA Law) and the Jagiellonian University (UJ) in Kraków, Poland, hosted the United States and Central Europe Connection Weekend: The Future of Transatlantic Investment at the Collegium Novum, Jagiellonian Campus in Kraków, Poland.

From Friday afternoon June 16 through Saturday afternoon June 17, the Conference invited lawyers, business people, government officials to consider the past, present, and future potential of investment flows between North America and Poland, and Poland as a gateway to the region. The opening panel considered the knowledge and skills that lawyers need to be effective in US-CEE transactions followed by a keynote address on the “big picture” in transatlantic investment.

Saturday panels weighed the benefits, obstacles, and overcoming obstacles to North American investment in CEE and CEE investment in North America. The closing address considered investment developments during the Ukrainian war and the transatlantic investments’ potential in the rebuilding of Ukraine.

Programs took place in the Jagiellonian University’s beautiful Collegium Novum, just off the main square, with a Friday reception and Saturday lunch in other historic Kraków venues. The Conference facilitated networking among business and legal professionals, as well as academics and students, focuses in transatlantic investment activities.

Jagiellonian University Faculty of Law and Administration and the Columbus School of Law of The Catholic University of America have partnered in legal education since 1992. More than 2,100 lawyers from the US, Poland, and third countries have graduated from one of the three CUA Law cooperative programs with UJ.

Kraków, a Historic University Town and a Major Center of International Business and Trade

Experience first-hand a country in transition. Ravaged by two world wars, Poland suffered tremendously throughout the course of the 20th century. World War II was particularly damaging, as Poland's historically strong Jewish population was almost wholly annihilated in the Holocaust. With the fall of the Third Reich, Poland effectively lost its independence once again, becoming a communist satellite state of the Soviet Union. By the turn of the 21st century, Poland was a market-based democracy, abundant in products of all kinds, and a member of both NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and the European Union (EU).

Kraków experienced significant globalization in the past 20 years, and today, is a city center with a thriving base for international businesses with a focus on outsourcing. Despite its growth as an emerging free market economy and European leader, Kraków retains its old world charm. Kraków's center, known as Rynek Glowny Market Square, spans approximately ten acres, and is by far the largest city plaza in Europe. The Rynek Glowny is teemed with busy cafes, clubs, restaurants, shopping, antiques and endless curiosities for locals and visitors to explore. As a city on UNESCO's World Natural and Cultural Heritage list, Kraków is one of Europe's vibrant masterpieces known for with its architectural beauty and cultural heritage.

The Jagiellonian University

Catholic Law's International Business and Trade Summer Law Program is hosted in cooperation with the Jagiellonian University, which was founded in the 14th century and is one of Europe's most prestigious universities. It counts among its distinguished alumni the renaissance scientist Nicholas Copernicus and Pope John Paul II. The university's law faculty is regarded as one of the finest in Central Europe. With more than 40,000 students attending the Jagiellonian University, Kraków is in many ways the quintessential college town. During the summer, many students can be found at the university taking classes and working around the city. June and July are the busiest months in Kraków for cultural and music festivals, including historic and traditional religious celebrations, month-long jazz and opera music festivals, and numerous other theatrical and musical events happening almost daily in the market square.

"I had never been to Poland before and wasn't sure what to expect. Not only did I learn a lot about comparative international law, I also discovered the beauty of the Polish culture and people. Thanks to the many memories and friendships made, I will always look back fondly upon my time in Poland. And I count the days until I can return again!"- Andrea Bautista '10

Cultural and Professional exchange through international study

The Summer Law Program in Kraków—HIGHLIGHTS

  • Poland is an ideal setting for our summer law program with its focus on law of the European Union and international business and trade law. Students can build a summer experience of their choice by using the modular schedule that offers many options to organize one's summer abroad.
  • The academic program, scheduled from June 9 to July 14, 2024, features four two-credit courses: Law of the European Union, International Investment Law, Federal Regulation and the Roberts Court, and Global Business and Forced Labor. Students may take up to six credits from this selection of courses.
  • Optional externships with top law firms and other legal organization are available in Warsaw and Kraków. Externship are taken for academic credit and begin as early as May 13 through August 12. Students must enroll in the online course called Becoming an International Lawyer for one credit and in Legal Externship for one, two, or three credits to coincide with the number of hours of work at the placement. Students earn one credit for every 60 hours of work at the externship placement. Catholic Law students may satisfy a portion of the J.D. degree requirement for experiential learning by taking part in an arranged externship through the summer program.
  • Since the inception of the Program, Polish law students have participated in the program and they offer a unique comparative legal perspective. A strong alumni network is the outcome of the numerous personal and professional relationships forged between the Americans and Poles. We are grateful to our Polish alumni for providing externship placements for our American student participants.

The Kraków Summer Law Program from The Catholic University of America, is fully accredited by the American Bar Association.