Annual Program in Comparative and International Law in Curaçao

Course #1: Comparative Ethics (2 credits)
Professor: C. Benjie Louis, Hofstra Law School
Description: This course examines the American Bar Association’s Rules of Professional Conduct, comparing them with the legal systems and ethical rules governing lawyers in the Netherlands, Curaçao, and France. Topics covered include confidentiality, attorney-client privilege, and conflicts of interest, with discussions aligning with key aspects of the Multi-State Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE). Students will also explore how different legal structures shape the ethical values of attorneys and their roles in society, with practical insights gained from engagement with lawyers practicing in Curaçao.

Course #2: Refugee Law and Overseas Refugee Processing (2 credits)
Professor: Elissa Mittman, University of Baltimore School of Law
Description: This course provides an overview of refugee law and resettlement processes, with a focus on the 1951 Refugee Convention and 1967 Protocol, which govern refugee policies in countries like the U.S. and Canada. It highlights the unique situation of Curaçao, a country with no formal asylum laws, and its proximity to Venezuela, adding urgency to regional migration issues. Students will explore the impact of global immigration policies on vulnerable populations, particularly in the context of current U.S. immigration debates.

Curaçao is part of the Dutch Caribbean, a group of five islands that also includes Bonaire, St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius. The island is near Aruba and the coast of Venezuela. The Caiquetios of the Amerindian Arawaks originally settled Curaçao about 6,000 years ago. The Spanish arrived in the late 15th century and the Dutch claimed the island in the 17th century. These rich historical and cultural traditions make Curaçao a unique and multicultural legal and social environment, which is governed by Dutch law.

The University of Curaçao was founded in 1979 as the University of the Netherlands Antilles and is located in a suburb of Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao. Willemstad’s colorful architectural heritage has earned the city a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. In addition to Dutch, the island's official language, residents speak English, Spanish and Papiamentu, a local Creole tongue.

Schedule

The schedule for 2024-2025: TBA

Housing

The 2024-2025 program will provide accommodations at the Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort.

• The cost of housing is included in the program fee. Students stay in a standard double room with two people, each having their own bed.
• Please indicate your roommate preference(s) on the application form. Bringing an additional guest or needing a single room will result in an additional fee.
• Hotel amenities and features include:
  • Outdoor pools
  • Air-conditioned guest rooms
  • Business Services
  • Wireless Internet
  • Fitness Center
  • Restaurants / Bars
  • Room service available
  • Valet dry-cleaning
  • All guest rooms come equipped with coffee makers, irons, ironing boards, mini-fridge, safes, hair dryers, voice-mail and cable television.
• Want a Single Room? Bringing a Friend, Family, Partner or Spouse?
  • If you prefer a single room or would like to bring someone with you on the program, we are happy to try and accommodate your request.
  • For students looking for their own room, there is an additional charge, which will guarantee a single room for the duration of your stay.
  • Please inquire further if you are bringing more than 1 guest.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions. To take advantage of these options, please indicate on the Curaçao application form that you want a single room and why.

2024-25 Tuition:

$5,508 (4 credits at a discounted rate)

Program and Housing Fees (double rooms)

$7,500 (covers all programming, housing, breakfast, lunch during class days, shuttle to University and designated events; airfare not included)

Financial Aid

Financial aid may be available to cover the cost of the program as well as transportation and other expenses. If you are interested in applying, check with the financial aid office at your home institution to determine financial aid eligibility and availability. The University of Baltimore will bill students the program fee for tuition and housing (less the $500 application deposit) in November before the trip. If you require financial assistance to attend the program, please work with your law school’s financial aid office immediately after being accepted into the program.

• Current UBalt students can pay deposits by contacting Renee Edmonds in the Bursar's Office. She is available by phone Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, from 9am - 5pm to take payments via phone. Her number is (410) 837-5027. If you are unable to reach her by phone, you can e-mail her at redmonds@ubalt.edu to set up an appointment time to speak with her. If you e-mail her, please state "Study Abroad" in the subject line.
• For non UBalt students, please note that you will receive a confirmation email with next steps. 
• For all law students ~ Once the deposit has been paid, you can pay the remaining tuition via MyUB Student Center.

Estimated Costs of Attendance & Financial Aid Contacts

This amount represents the total estimated costs to be paid by student and for which financial aid may be available:

• Tuition Fees: $5,508
• Program Fees: $7,500
• Meals & Incidentals: estimated $1,100 (at $50/day, as daily breakfast and weekday lunches are included)
• Round-trip airfare: $1,300
• Travel Insurance: $250
• Total: $15,658

For UBalt Law student financial aid inquiries, please contact the UBalt Financial Aid Office. For non-UBalt students, please contact your home institution about financial aid options. They will connect with the UBalt Financial Aid Office for collaboration.

Payment Schedule

• October 7, 2024: $300 Nonrefundable deposit due with application
• December 1, 2024: Balance due for all tuition and the Program Fee

For U.S. Law students, a non-refundable registration fee of $300 is due upon submission of the application. The fee is applied to the total amount owed for the program. The balance due for all tuition and the program fee is December 1, 2024, noon, EST.

Cancellation

1. Cancellation of program: In the unlikely event that the program is canceled, each and every student enrolled would receive individual notice by e-mail, receipt requested, and there would be follow-up by regular mail or telephone or both to every student who did not acknowledge receipt of the e-mail. Cancellation of the program would result in refunding all payments made by students. 
2. Withdrawal by individual student: For a student to withdraw their enrollment in the program, the student must send written notice (by e-mail or regular mail) that is received by the program director or program assistant (or both) no later than Noon on October 15, 2024. After timely withdrawal, the student will receive a refund of all payments other than the nonrefundable $300 deposit. No refunds will be made for withdrawals received after noon on November 15, 2024.

Apply for the Program

If you have specific questions, contact:

Janet Lord, Executive Director of the Center for International and Comparative Law
E-Mail: jlord@ubalt.edu

or

Jessika Pineda, Associate Director of International Law Programs and Student Affairs
Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University
Phone: 516-463-0417
E-Mail: Jessika.Pineda@hofstra.edu
General E-mail: InternationalPrograms@hofstra.edu

Academic Policies

Eligibility Criteria, Academic Requirements and Grading

Eligibility
The program is open to all law students who have completed all first-year day courses and who are in good academic standing at an ABA-accredited law school. (Maurice A. Deane School of Law students must have at least a 2.2 GPA.)

Note: If you attend a law school other than University of Baltimore School of Law, you must submit a letter from your law school verifying that you meet the above requirements.

Academic Requirements
All students are required to enroll in a 4-credit course. There will also be required field trips to local legal institutions.

Grading
University of Baltimore’s grading standards apply, and Baltimore School of Law transcripts will be sent out. Acceptance of credits earned during the program is subject to the determination of your home school.

Grades are based on an examination in each course. The grading policy in the program is the same as in the regular course of study at University of Baltimore School of Law.

Professor: C. Benjie Louis, Hofstra Law School

Professor: Elissa Mittman, University of Baltimore School of Law

Administration

On-Site Program Director

Janice Shih, University of Baltimore School of Law
Professor of the Practice and Director, Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic
Send an Email

Co-Program Director

Jessika Pineda
Associate Director of International Law Programs and Student Affairs
Send an Email
(516) 463-0417

Joanne Masci
Senior Support Specialist
Send an Email
(516) 463-4547

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries about the program to internationalprograms@hofstra.edu or (516) 463-4547.

The program is open to students who have completed all first-year courses and who are in good academic standing at an ABA-accredited law school.

No, you will take two 2-credit courses with no pre-requisites.

You must take both classes for a total of 4 credits.

Attendance is MANDATORY on all field trips and/or guest lectures. Any absence from a field trip counts the same as an absence from a class session.

Hofstra Law grading standards apply, and Hofstra Transcripts will be sent out after the completion of the program. Acceptance of credits earned during the program is subject to the determination of your home school. After the completion of the program and grades have been submitted, transcripts will be automatically sent to your home institution.

If you attend a law school other than those at Hofstra University or the University of Baltimore, you must submit a letter from your law school verifying that you are in good standing as well as an unofficial transcript.

Students will be accepted into the program in the order in which they apply.

Yes, there is WiFi available at both the hotel and the University of Curacao.

Yes, both the University of Curaçao and the Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort are accessible to students with disabilities; however, some aspects of the program may not be accessible to people with certain disabilities.