The Tower Bridge in London. Photo courtesy of Chad Derby.
By Lucy Chan Derby
As a student who participated in the International IT Law Program in London last summer, I highly recommend this experience for anyone who does not already have summer plans. Sure, you can take summer school courses on campus, but keep in mind that the school generally offers the same courses each summer so you certainly would not be missing out. Why not earn your units attending class in London instead? The full cost of the program is $7,250 for six units for five fabulous weeks in London, with housing and breakfast included. You do not have to be a mathematician to realize that $7,250 for six units is cheaper than taking six units on campus, which currently totals $7,350, not taking into account the likelihood that tuition will increase by 4 percent effective summer 2010.
Students will be staying in a dormitory where they each get their own bedroom with a personal bathroom, internet access, weekly housekeeping, and a complimentary traditional English breakfast of sausage, hash browns, eggs and fruit every morning. The dormitory is just a short walk to the University College London, where classes are held from Monday through Thursday every week. Yes, that’s right . . . you get a three-day weekend to maximize your studying time – of London that is! Did I also mention that classes are only half-day, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.? Studying abroad is just so hard.
The four courses being offered this year are Comparative Information Privacy Law and Regulations; Comparative Electronic Commerce Law and Regulations; and Interviewing, International Cybercrimes, Counseling and Negotiating (ICN) in the IT Sector. Comparative Information Privacy Law and Regulations and Comparative Electronic Commerce Law and Regulations are taught by non-SW professors who have expert knowledge in their fields and presents students the international laws and arising concerns.
The other two classes are taught by two favorite professors at SW. Our own Prof. Michael Scott, an expert in the area of technology law, will be teaching International Cybercrimes this year. I greatly enjoyed this class last summer because it was interesting and simply different from anything else in law school as I learned about hacking, malicious spyware, the Fourth Amendment as applied to computers and software, and more. Another SW favorite is Prof. Nyree Gray, who will be leading a hands-on course in teaching students how to negotiate agreements, interview, and counsel clients. A winning SW combination makes this program hard to pass up.
Now, onto more important matters such as sightseeing, activities, and traveling inside and outside of the United Kingdom. London has a plethora of attractions from free museums and vast, green parks to historical monuments and buildings. Less than a block away from the dormitory is the renowned British Museum, which holds some of the world’s most precious treasures like the Rosetta Stone and Greek Marbles. You can spend days there taking in the rich history and all for free, of course. Hyde Park is a park that one could get lost in, but a popular place for summer concerts and Sunday soapbox preachers. Parliament is breathtaking in all its splendor, and if you are lucky, you may even be able to sit in on sessions of the House of Lords or House of Commons. And do not forget to visit the Tower of London where Anne Boleyn and a few other wives of Henry VIII were beheaded.
Transportation via the Underground can transport you in a matter of minutes to all the tourist attractions and shopping spots. Students should buy an Oyster card, which allows them to put on as much or little value as needed and simply gets deducted as they tap their card at each station. London has amazing sales during the summer, and if you have an eye for couture, be sure to check out Harrods, Selfridges, and Bond Street. Flea markets Camden Market and Notting Hill offers a full day of browsing clothes, souvenirs, accessories, books, antiques, and more. If you love Shakespeare, the Globe Theater is a must, and tickets can be easily ordered online. This year is power-packed with Macbeth, Henry IV, Henry VIII, and more. Be forewarned that it is highly recommended you purchase your tickets as soon as possible if you want to see a particular production with good seats.
Visiting other parts of the U.K. is a breeze now that the Oyster is valid on National Rail, allowing you to visit other famous cities like York, Oxford, Edinburgh, and more via train. Another alternative, if you are brave (or crazy) enough, is to consider driving in the U.K. by renting a car and splitting it amongst a group. We found it more economical and timesaving to rent a car and drive out to Stonehenge and then Windsor Castle on the way back. Travelling outside of the U.K. is also quite easy as students often take extended weekend trips to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Prague, Scotland, Ireland, France. The Eurostar is a short fast-speed train ride to Paris through the “chunnel” in two and a half hours.
Two participants of the 2009 IT London Program share their thoughts. “The program was the chance of a lifetime! I loved the classes, my professors, and I had a blast traveling all over Europe and learning about different cultures,” said Jennifer Carter, 2L,. Also, Mark Feriante, 3L, shares, “IT Law is fascinating. Prof. Scott was so accommodating, and he set us up with the leading experts in the field.” You will not regret this summer if you sign up for the International IT London Program. Technology and international law is where our future is heading. So why not take advantage of learning from the brightest minds in the field while seeing the history of where our country originated from.
