Annual Program in Comparative and International Law in Curaçao

Course #1: International Civil Litigation in U.S. Courts (2 credits)
Professor: Kevin McElroy; Hofstra Law School
Description: The expansion of international trade and investment in recent years has greatly increased the significance of civil litigation involving foreign parties and transactions in U.S. courts. Such litigation raises concerns not usually present in civil litigation between domestic parties: the application of international and foreign law, the proper role of courts in resolving disputes that might affect foreign policy, and the possibility of conflict between state and federal regulation of foreign commerce. In addressing these concerns, courts have attempted to balance competing domestic and foreign interests and to minimize judicial intrusion in foreign affairs. This course examines selected topics in international civil litigation and determines how successful the courts have been. Topics will cover issues relevant to such litigation, including but subject to change: jurisdiction of U.S. courts over foreign defendants, service of process abroad, forum selection, gathering of evidence abroad, the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, extraterritorial application of U.S. law, and the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments and other related points.

Course #2: Comparative Environmental and Natural Resources Law (2 credits)
Professor: Sheldon Lyke; Baltimore Law
Description: The course will primarily compare the English language policies of common law countries like the US, Canada, New Zealand, England, and India. The common law origins will enable students to trace the development of law and policy from its early stages and examine how common cultural influences yet divergent environmental and natural resources programs can lead to legal changes. This course will also engage in limited comparisons to civil law legal systems (e.g., France and Spain) and draw on comparisons to our host country, Curaçao (a civil law nation).

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 the 2022-2023 Curaçao program is still being finalized, however, you can view last year’s schedule here:

2022-2023 Curacao Program Schedule (PDF)

Housing

The 2022/2023 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, Hofstra Law is happy to 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.
  • For students looking to bring a non-student on the program, there is an additional charge, which guarantees a single room as well as 1 guest at all official program functions, excluding courses.
  • 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 housing page of the Curaçao application form that you want a single room and why.

2022 Tuition and Program Fees

Tuition

$4,520 (4 credits at a discounted rate)

Program and Housing Fees (double rooms)

$4,350 (Airfare not included)

Program Fee Includes:

• Housing (20 days at the Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort, double room, wifi, daily buffet breakfast included)
• Emergency Medical Insurance
• On-site administration
• Private bus service to and from the hotel for classes
• Specified meals and coffee breaks with snack, on class days
• Academic Field Trips
• Holiday party
• Welcome reception
• Farewell reception
• Optional Additional Charges to Students
  • Double room Supplement (student + guest): Extra Cost TBD
  • Single room Supplement: Extra Cost $2,750
  • Single room Supplement w/ one guest: Extra Cost TBD

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. Hofstra University 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.

Non-Hofstra law students should obtain a Consortium Agreement Form from your financial aid office and address it to:

Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University
Attn: Dana Vitale, Associate Director of Financial Aid
Joan Axinn Hall #109
Hempstead, NY 11549
LawFinAid@hofstra.edu

Please be aware that below represents the maximum amount available in financial aid for the program:

• Tuition: $4,520 (paid to Hofstra University)
• Housing & Program Fee (double rooms): $4,350 (paid to Hofstra University)
• Food: $1,200
• Transportation: $2,100
• Books/Miscellaneous: $1,200
• Total financial aid available: $13,370

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 his or her 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 5pm on October 31, 2022. After timely withdrawal, the student will receive a refund of all payments other than the nonrefundable $500 deposit. No refunds will be made for withdrawals received after October 31, 2022.

Download the 2022/2023 Curaçao Application (PDF)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Monday, October 31, 2022

The application form must be accompanied by a non-refundable deposit of $500 (checks must be made payable to the "Hofstra University"), a statement of interest and a letter of good standing from the law school. If you have specific questions, contact:

Jessika Pineda, Associate Director of International Law Programs and Student Affairs
Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University Attn: Curaçao Program
121 Hofstra University, Suite 203B Hempstead, NY 11549
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 Hofstra 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
Hofstra Law’s grading standards apply, and Maurice A. Deane 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 Hofstra Law. The grade scale is: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D and F.

Professor: Kevin McElroy, Hofstra University School of Law

Professor: Sheldon Lyke, University of Baltimore School of Law

Administration

On-Site 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