Local to Global: Incorporating Overseas Work and Study in the Law School Curriculum

Abstract

There is a growing interest in the internationalization of university education, including through overseas work and study, to enable students across diverse disciplines to develop as global citizens. Legal education traditionally focuses on domestic law, but a major shift is underway to internationalize the law school curriculum with the aim of developing 21st century lawyers as global lawyers. This chapter covers three key topics. First, it identifies important contextual factors influencing Australian law schools to incorporate overseas work and study immersion courses into the curriculum. Second, it presents a case study of internationalization initiatives at the University of Newcastle Law School, New South Wales, focused on overseas work integrated learning and intensive study trips in the Asia-Pacific region. A research project evaluating the impacts of these initiatives for students and staff is summarised. Third, the chapter concludes with reflections on the opportunities and challenges from the perspective of legal educators who must develop their own intercultural competence and navigate new ways of working with overseas service providers and academic institutions. Themes relevant to disciplines other than law are highlighted.