International and Comparative Law Program

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Overview

Our international and comparative law program offers an exciting range of opportunities to expand your horizons – through numerous courses, a concentration in international and comparative law, as well as study abroad options, conferences, and guest lectures. We also serve as the student services home for international students at Vermont Law and Graduate School, connecting individuals with resources across campus and answering questions about life in the United States.

Our partnerships with leading universities in Canada, England, France, and Italy allow students to experience a semester abroad or earn a specialized degree from a foreign university. You will emerge with a solid foundation in international and comparative law, as well as a valuable global perspective. Scholarships are available for study and travel coursework and for international human rights fieldwork.

International Admissions

For individuals who live outside of the United States, there are several options for both taking classes and completing degree programs through Vermont Law and Graduate School.

If you are currently enrolled at an institution that has an established exchange partnership with VLGS, you can complete coursework through the International and Comparative Law Program as an international exchange student. Please speak with the appropriate office at your home institution about the necessary application procedures.

If you are a foreign citizen interested in pursuing a full degree at Vermont Law and Graduate School, please visit the website of the International Admissions Office.

Curriculum

International and Comparative Law Concentration

Want to demonstrate a committed focus to your focus on international law? Learn more about a concentration in International and Comparative Law.
Learn more about the International and Comparative Law Concentration at VLGS

International Dual Degrees at VLGS

Explore Vermont Law and Graduate School’s partnerships with other top-tier institutions of higher education around the world.
Learn more about Dual Degree opportunities at VLGS

LLM in American Legal Studies

The LLM in American Legal Studies degree is designed for students with a law degree from outside the United States.
Learn more about LLM Degree Programs at VLGS

Study Abroad

We offer JD students semester programs at partner Universities in France, Canada, and Italy.

Learn more about Study Abroad opportunities at VLGS

International Admissions

Admissions requirements for international applicants do not have to be confusing.

Learn more about International Admissions at VLGS

Global Advocacy Mission Scholars

Global Advocacy Mission Scholarships support students that come to VLS with a cause and who will use the power of the law to make a difference in their communities and the world. Our scholars are selected based upon outstanding academic credentials and a demonstrated passion and commitment to international issues.

2017-2018 Global Advocacy Mission Scholars

Phanuelle Duchatelier

Phanuelle Duchatelier-Alexandre joins VLS from Alexandria, Virginia. Before joining VLS, Phanuelle worked as a translator and interpreter in various legal clinics as well as with the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) as a Program Assistant. This professional experience added to her passion to educate her community about refugees, undocumented immigrants, and survivors of human trafficking. Originally from Haiti, Phanuelle’s passion is to advocate for marginalized and disenfranchised groups and she aspires to use the rule of law to develop tools to empower these groups to give them a voice and take charge of their own fate.

Sasha Gainen-Truslow

Sasha is a 2L from Northampton, MA. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Vermont, majoring in German and minoring in Math and Physics. She studied abroad in Freiburg, Germany, and while there became interested in the migrant crisis in Europe. Sasha did research at UVM on the attitudes toward immigrants both in Germany and the United States. During her undergraduate summers, she worked as a Customized Faculty-Led Programs Assistant with CISabroad, a study abroad company. She created short-term faculty-led programs for university students to travel and learn around the world.

Miranda Jensen

Miranda is a 3L from Fargo, ND. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN with majors in Global Studies and Chinese and minors in English Writing and French. Before coming to Vermont Law School, Miranda performed research for a former college professor on citizen activism in China, which sparked her interest in environmental law. She also spent a year between college and law school working as a legal assistant at the Fargo City Prosecutor’s Office. In the future, she hopes to combine her law degree with her interest in international and environmental issues.

Andrew Kenney

Andrew Kenney is a 3L JD student from Plymouth, Massachusetts.Andrew attended St. Michael’s College in Burlington, VT for his undergraduate studies and majored in Environmental Studies with dual minors in Philosophy and Political Science. Andrew’s academic focus at St. Michael’s College was International Environmental law and policy. His thesis dealt with the issues of apex predator loss on a global scale and how it impacts the trophic level. Andrew has participated in educational and community service trips in Peru and Guyana and hopes to focus on South American environmental law and policy while at VLS. Andrew’s interests include hiking, photography, playing rugby, traveling, watching Boston sports teams and spending time with friends and family. Andrew is also a member of the VLS Animal Law Society, International Law Society, Rugby Team, and the Food and Ag Law Society.

Amanda Quinlan

Amanda is currently a third-year JD student at Vermont Law School. She received her BA from Middlebury College in International Studies. After graduating, Amanda received a scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to pursue a master’s degree in Germany. Amanda earned her Masters in Political Science with a focus on International Relations from the Goethe Universität in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. While enrolled as a student in Germany, Amanda completed an ERASMUS semester abroad in France at Sciences Po Lyon. She also interned at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (HSFK) and the Cluster of Excellence “The Formation of Normative Orders.” Amanda worked as a Research Associate at Vermont Law’s Institute for Energy and the Environment during her second year at VLS. She currently serves as the Editor in Chief of the Vermont Law Review.

Bonnie Smith

Bonnie L. Smith received her BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her JD from Vermont Law School. She has published climate change related articles with the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law and with the national Environmental Law Review Syndicate. She also worked as a research assistant for Professor Tracy Bach and interned with the Environmental and National Resource Law Clinic at VLS and the Grameen Foundation in Washington, D.C. Bonnie is currently finishing a dual degree in corporate law at the University of Cergy-Pontoise in France. Through her legal studies, Bonnie aspires to reach a greater understanding of the role corporations can play in advancing human development and climate change issues.

Serena Tang

Serena grew up in Arlington, Texas and earned her Bachelor’s degree at American University. Serena majored in International Relations and focused in International Environmental Politics. Her studies at American University broadened her interests to international trade policy and sustainable agriculture. After graduating from AU, Serena worked in New York City as a local food advocate and cheesemonger. After contemplating the power of the law and policy, Serena enrolled in Vermont Law School to pursue a career in law that focuses on international food policy and the environment. At Vermont Law School, Serena was awarded a Schweitzer fellowship to work with her partner to promote early childhood nutritional education in Vermont. Serena is a Global Mission Scholar, a staff editor of Law Review, a TA for torts law, an Academic Success mentor, and a research assistant for the food and agriculture clinic. This past summer Serena worked as a research assistant for the U.S.- Asia Partnerships in Environmental Law at VLS. In the Spring of 2018, Serena plans to study abroad in Trento, Italy to focus on attaining a civil law education.

Amanda Vega

Amanda is a 1L from the Bronx, NY. She eared her Bachelor’s degree from University at Buffalo, with a B.A in Political Science, History and her Paralegal Certificate. Before coming to Vermont Law, Amanda traveled to Tanzania with the Buffalo Tanzania Education Project with a focus in community development. During her time at VLS, Amanda serves as a volunteer with the Vermont Prison Debate Initiative where she teaches debate to offenders. Additionally, Amanda serves as a 1L representative on the Mental Health Committee at Vermont Law. In the future, Amanda hopes to work in an area of law where she can continue advocating for human rights.