University of Georgia School of Law students enjoy the opportunity to gain practical hands-on experience in global legal settings year-round through the Global Externships Overseas initiative.

My GEO was a perfect introduction to working in a private firm, as well as working in a multicultural environment, both of which have helped me solidify my vision for what I would like my career to look like moving forward. I was given really valuable exposure to new areas of law that I wanted to learn about most and challenged beyond what I would have otherwise thought I was capable of, in a great way. -Madison Graham, J.D. 2025, completed a GEO at Van Bael & Bellis, Brussels.

International Placements

Global Externships Overseas (GEOs) are summer (4-12 week) or semester-long (14 week) placements around the world that offer all law students the opportunity to gain practical knowledge and experience in an international setting. Students return to Athens with new colleagues and mentors, legal practice skills that set them apart from their peers, and a deeper appreciation of the global legal profession. 

Summer Placements

Through a highly individualized advising and application process, students are matched with externship placements that align with their expressed professional goals, skills, and geographic preferences. GEOs can last between 4 and 12 weeks, depending on the student's schedule and the placement's flexibility. Summer placements are typically not offered for academic credit. There is no cost associated with the placement process; students are responsible for covering their own airfare, housing, and cost of living in-country. Competitive stipends are available through the Center and through the Asia-Georgia Scholarship.

Many students split their summers, often combining a GEO with the Global Governance Summer School or with a domestic externship experience.

Recent Summer Placements
  • Law firms like Bodenheimer in Germany, Priti Suri & Associates in India, Houerbi Law Firm in Tunisia, and Sorainen in Estonia
  • Government agencies like the Department of Conservation in New Zealand, the Cambodia Ministry of Arts & Antiquities, and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Bermuda
  • Corporate legal departments like KPMG in Vietnam, Syngenta in Argentina, Orange in Belgium, and Fererro in Luxembourg
  • Intergovernmental organizations like the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in France, the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) in Italy, and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SREP) in Samoa
  • Nongovernmental organizations like the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law in Malta, Boat People SOS in Thailand, and eLiberare in Romania
Application Process
Priority Deadline

Priority Global Externships Overseas are for currently enrolled UGA Law students who agree to commit to the summer externship opportunity that they are offered. Note that an advising appointment with Sarah Quinn (squinn@uga.edu) is required to be eligible to apply. Current 1L and 2L students are encouraged to apply. Please refer to the University of Georgia Office of Global Engagement's Study Away portal for the application. Students are encouraged to watch this instructional video before opening an application. The deadline to complete an application is Wednesday, January 15. Decisions regarding matches will be communicated beginning mid-January.

Regular Decision

Regular Decision Global Externships Overseas are for currently enrolled UGA Law students who are considering a GEO but are also applying to other summer opportunities. Note that while advising appointments are not required, they are encouraged. Current 1L and 2L students are encouraged to apply. Please refer back to the University of Georgia Office of Global Engagement's Study Away portal for the application. Students are encouraged to watch this instructional video before opening an application. The deadline to complete an application is Sunday, February 23. Decisions regarding matches will be communicated beginning early March.

Semester-long Placements

Students seeking longer-term international experiences are able to spend an academic semester abroad. This for-credit experience requires 32 hours per week completed for 14 weeks, totaling 448 contact hours. Students earn 10 academic credits for their externship and for their weekly seminar course, facilitated through the D.C. Semester in Practice. 

There is no cost associated with the placement process; students are responsible for covering their own airfare, housing, tuition, and cost of living in-country. Competitive stipends are available through the Center and through the Asia-Georgia Scholarship.

Read about the student experience here and here.

Recent Semester-Long Placements:
  • Law firms like Bodenheimer in Germany, Weickmann in Germany, and Van Bael & Bellis in Belgium
  • Corporate legal departments like Baker Tilly in Germany
Application Process

Applications for the fall are due February 15 and applications for the spring are due September 15. To get a copy of the application, please email Sarah Quinn: squinn@uga.edu 

Domestic Placements

Global Externships At Home take place within the United States during the law school's academic year or in the summer. Students may find placements related to international law in legal departments, government offices, and nongovernmental organizations. Please refer to each program below for more information about cost, admissions, academics, and contact information.

Recent placements:

  • Through our Atlanta Semester in Practice: the Carter Center, Access to Law, and the Federal Trade Commission
  • Through our D.C. Semester in Practice: the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Office of International Affairs, American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative, U.S. Trade Representative, and the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Immigration Litigation, and NATO SACT
  • Through our Corporate Counsel Externships: the legal departments of top corporations like Coca-Cola and nongovernmental organizations like CARE International

Contact

For more information, contact Sarah Quinn, Director, Dean Rusk International Law Center, at squinn@uga.edu or (706) 542-5176.