International and Comparative Law Program with UAS Konstanz

Destination: Konstanz, Germany   
Host institution:  HTWG Konstanz - University of Applied Sciences (UAS) 
Tentative time: 14 – 20 April 2024   
Led by: Professor Katrin Klodt-Bussman

Program overview

We have an exciting opportunity for law students to join us on a partially funded trip to Germany. Selected students will participate in an International and Comparative Law program at the University of Applied Sciences (UAS), Konstanz from 14-20 April 2024. UAS Konstanz is a modern, multidisciplinary university situated on the banks of the Rhine River and close to the border of Switzerland.

Watch: Study in Baden-Württemberg at the HTWG Konstanz - YouTube

The program will be led by Prof. Dr. Katrin Klodt-Bussmann, Professor for International Business Law and Vice President for Internationalisation and Executive Education at UAS Konstanz. Prof. Dr. Klodt-Bussman has special expertise in international commercial agreement, world trade law, commercial arbitration, comparative law, intercultural aspects in law & negotiation, and mergers & acquisitions. And previous professional experience as an M&A and Corporate Lawyer at Clifford Chance and Head of Legal, Insurance and M&A for the East European sub-group of an international automotive group. Her impressive work has seen nominated as a finalist for the PIEoneer Awards 2023 in the category "Emerging Leader of the Year" in international education.

There will be online sessions with UAS Konstanz in the lead-up to the trip where students will meet the UAS Konstanz academic lead and UAS students participating in the program. During the trip to UAS Konstanz, students will participate in a variety of academic activities. These will encompass academic sessions on diverse subjects, such as International Legal Negotiations, Comparative Analysis of Legal Contracts, European Union Law, and Comparative Studies between Civil and Common Law Legal Systems. In addition, students will have the opportunity to partake in organised field trips to establishments like the Chamber of Commerce and both national and international corporations, providing practical insights into the application of law.

There are two ways to enrol in this program:

• UTS Law students can take this program for academic credit under International and Comparative Study in Law (76099 for UG students, or 78293 for JD students). When taking the program for academic credit, students might be required to complete associated assessments for the subject. Details of the associated assessments will be released closer to the program commencement. 
• Students who do not plan to apply for academic credit will be required to participate in all program sessions, however, might not be required to complete the associated assessments. 

Costs and funding

Selected students will receive DAAD funding from UAS Konstanz of 1,773 EUR to use towards flights and accommodation costs. There is a minimum of four funded places.

Check the financial assistance web page to see if you may be eligible for OS-HELP loans.

Please note, if this funding is not sufficient to cover the full cost of this trip, the difference will be paid by the participating students. 

How to apply

This opportunity is open to all law students who are interested in international and comparative law. 

Please submit an Expression of interest (EOI) to tell us:

• Why are you interested in this program? (200-word limit);
• Demonstrate a way in which you have implemented cross-cultural awareness during your study (200-word limit); and
• How will you benefit from this opportunity? (200-word limit)

Expressions of interest will be open from 25 August – 29 September 2023.

Submit an expression of interest

Students will be selected based on their EOI and their responses to the selection questions. Other determining factors such as academic achievements, active engagement in the Faculty of Law, and students from an Indigenous background, will also be taken into consideration in the selection process.

Selected students will be notified by 20 October 2023.

If you have any questions about the program, please email law.mobility@uts.edu.au. 

Draft schedule for 14-20 April 2024

Please note, this is a draft schedule and subject to change. 

Day	Date	Morning	Afternoon
Pre-trip session	February 2024		17:00-18:00 Program introduction and meet & greet
Pre-trip session	March 2024		17:00-18:00 Zoom session: discussions & preparations
Pre-trip session	April 2024		17:00-18:00 Zoom session: discussions & preparations
1	Sun 14 April	Arrive in Konstanz
2	Mon 15 April	9:00-12:00  Comparative Studies between Civil and Common Law Legal Systems	13:30-15:30 Comparative Analysis of Legal Contracts: UTS & Konstanz students to prepare their cases
3	Tues 16 April	9:00-12:00 Field trip to the Chamber of Commerce	13:30-15:30 Field trip to a local business
4	Wed 17 April	9:00-12:00 Comparative study of Company Law in Australia, China & Europe	13:30-15:30 European Union Law
5	Thurs 18 April	9:00-12:00 Field trip to the Germany-Switzerland border	13:30-15:30 Field trip to Swiss or Austrian company
6	Fri 19 April	9:00-12:00 Workshop: International Legal Negotiations	13:30-15:30 Comparative Analysis of Legal Contracts: UTS & Konstanz students to present their cases
7	Sat 20 April	Depart Konstanz