An Invitation from the Dean to the Strasbourg Study Abroad Program

Regent Law in Strasbourg - In 65 Seconds

This is a preview of the vlog series about student life during Regent Law's summer 2013 study abroad program in Strasbourg, France. Enjoy!

Vlog 1 of 11 - The Adventure Begins

Bonjour!

Welcome to the first vlog in this series about student life during Regent Law's summer 2013 study abroad program in Strasbourg, France! I am excited to have you join me as I travel around Europe and study law in Strasbourg.

This series will be entirely filmed and produced on an iPad2. During the program, I will be posting new videos from Europe twice weekly. But for now, allow me to introduce myself . . .

Many thanks to Brad, Adam, Kathy, Tisa, and David for your help in producing this video.

Vlog 2 of 11 - Week One and Visit to European Union

This is the second video in the series about student life during Regent Law's summer 2013 study abroad program in Strasbourg, France.

The end of the program's first week is drawing to a close here in Europe, but it has been a very eventful week. In this video, we get settled into life in Strasbourg and visit the European Parliament, a branch of the European Union.

Many thanks to everyone who appeared in this video and assisted in its production.

Vlog 3 of 11 - A Weekend in Normandy

This is the third video in the series about student life during Regent Law's summer 2013 study abroad program in Strasbourg, France. In this video, a fellow law student and I spend a three-day weekend touring the Normandy region of France.

The program has two three-day weekends to allow students to travel greater distances than they could in just a regular weekend. So on the first weekend, we saw Caen, the Normandy beaches, and Bayeux. Interestingly, we met some American law students while on the train to Caen and later took the battlefield tour with another American law student. All were doing study abroad programs.

The trip was incredible! I think every American needs to go to Normandy at least once, especially if they are in Europe. It was impossible to cram everything that we saw into these two minutes, but here is a try. . .

I would like to thank our incredible tour guide from the Caen Peace Memorial for giving us an amazing tour. I appreciated your friendly spirit and knowledge of history. Thanks for being in this vlog. I also want to thank the staff of our hotel, La Consigne, for such wonderful and inexpensive accommodations, provided with a smile.

Lastly, many thanks to everyone who appeared in this video and assisted in its production.

Vlog 4 of 11 - Week Two & Visit to the European Court of Human Rights

This is the fourth vlog in the series about student life during Regent Law's summer 2013 study abroad program in Strasbourg, France. Each day is a new learning experience and a wonderful adventure. In this video, I show our accommodations in Strasbourg, our visit to the European Court of Human Rights, and more.

The students live during the program at the Foyer Notre Dame, which is a beautiful 20-minute walk from our classroom and steps away from many cafes, shops, and Strasbourg sights. The Foyer has been a wonderful place to live. It is safe and quiet, with plenty of hot water and terrific water pressure in the showers. The staff is very friendly and caring. The courtyard of the Foyer has seen many discussions, ranging from the deepest issues of human rights to the lighter topic of interpersonal relationships. Recently, we have been having student-led Bible studies, usually with a different faculty member giving a message once a week. The Foyer is also a wonderful place to meet young people from other countries and learn more about each other's cultures.

One of our four professors during this program is former Attorney General John Ashcroft. It has been an incredible experience to sit under the teaching of such an experienced American leader. (Before he became U.S. attorney general, General Ashcroft was attorney general for Missouri, Missouri governor, and a U.S. Senator for Missouri, to name a few of his positions.) This week, the General hosted his famous Ashcroft Ice Cream Social for the program.

Also this week, we visited the European Court of Human Rights to hear a case argued. It was an unusual case because there were five countries involved and because it was on appeal before the Grand Chamber of 17 judges. While most of it was in English, we often had to use the special translation headphones provided by the Court.

Many thanks to everyone who appeared in this video and assisted in its production.

Vlog 5 of 11 - Trip to Trier and Bastille Day

This is the fifth video in the series about student life during Regent Law's summer 2013 study abroad program in Strasbourg, France. In this video, I take a day trip to Trier, Germany, to tour the ancient Roman ruins and then enjoy Bastille Day in Strasbourg.

I spent Saturday on a day trip to Trier, Germany, via Luxembourg. Trier is famous for its Roman ruins and is one of the oldest cities in Europe. I thought it was amazing that I could climb around on such ancient structures as the Amphitheater and that there were no ropes or "Do Not Touch" signs. Or maybe they were just all in German.

Sunday, July 14th, was Bastille Day, which is the French equivalent to America's 4th of July. I enjoyed exploring the Petite France district of Strasbourg, which looks like something out of a Grimm fairytale.

Then in the evening was the grand firework show. The fireworks were spectacular! The Americans all agreed that only the firework show in Washington, D.C., could rival the show we saw overlooking the lake in Strasbourg. A French friend told me, "Here in France, fireworks are an art form." I would stipulate to that.

Many thanks to everyone who appeared in this video and assisted in its production.

Vlog 6 of 11 - Week Three & Trip Through Alsace

This is the sixth video in the series about student life during Regent Law's summer 2013 study abroad program in Strasbourg, France. In this video, our group goes on a tour through the beautiful countryside of Alsace and I enjoy some of the sights of Strasbourg.

This week, the entire group went out on one of the scheduled tours that are a part of the program. We saw imposing castles, charming villages, verdant agriculture, and much more! It was fun to see the new sights with my classmates, professors, and their families. Through our tour on a luxury bus, we got to experience the scenery and culture of the magnificent Alsace region without having to worry about any planning.

Strasbourg has plenty of things to see and do as well. To name a couple of my favorite events:
- A nightly light and music show on the Cathedral Notre Dame.
- A nightly water, light, music, and firework show at a nearby lake.
- The best part is that they are free!

Many thanks to everyone who appeared in this video and assisted in its production.

Vlog 7 of 11 - A Weekend in Switzerland

This is the seventh video in the series about student life during Regent Law's summer 2013 study abroad program in Strasbourg, France. In this video, I spend a 3-day weekend in the Swiss Alps near Gimmelwald, Switzerland, which is above Interlaken.

Switzerland has to be the most beautiful place I have ever been. I loved it immensely and can't wait to return sometime in the future.

I stayed at a B&B in Gimmelwald named Esther's Guesthouse and highly recommend it to anyone who likes clean rooms, friendly staff, reasonable prices, good company, and breathtaking views. A wonderful place to eat in Gimmelwald, the Mountain Hostel, is just around the corner. The food is delicious, the staff is charming, the views are fabulous, and the prices are reasonable for Swiss standards.

I would like to encourage anyone who might be concerned about traveling alone to branch out and try it for themselves. So long as you plan things well and play it safe, traveling alone can be a wonderful adventure. One benefit is that you are more prone to meet new people, especially here in the Swiss Alps. For instance, I got to meet and spend time with a family from Utah in Gimmelwald; a couple of families from the United States and Canada at the top of the Schilthorn; and a family from Texas at Trummelbach Falls. (Not to mention the countless other people from many nations that I chatted with briefly.)

Vlog 8 of 11 - Trip to Council of Europe & Tour of Natzweiler-Struthof

This is the eighth video in the series about student life during Regent Law's summer 2013 study abroad program in Strasbourg, France. In this video, our group visits the Council of Europe and then tours the Alsatian mountains, including a visit to the Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp.

It was definitely a busy week for the program outside of the classroom. On Tuesday, we got out of classes early for a half-day visit to the Council of Europe, followed by lunch at the program director's residence. Then on Thursday, we went on an all-day tour in the mountains above Strasbourg to the Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp, a museum about Alsace, and Mont St. Odile. The Thursday trip was very thought-provoking, but I am glad we saw the concentration camp. It gave me a tangible connection to a terrible part of world history.

Many thanks to everyone who appeared in this video and assisted in its production.

Vlog 9 of 11 - A Different Perspective

This is the ninth video in the series about student life during Regent Law's summer 2013 study abroad program in Strasbourg, France. As we move into the last week of classes and take final exams, it is time to reflect over the events of the program. In this video, some of my fellow law students share about their experiences during the program.

Many thanks to everyone who appeared in this video and assisted in its production.

Vlog 10 of 11 - Classes of the Program

This is the tenth video in the series about student life during Regent Law's summer 2013 study abroad program in Strasbourg, France. In this video, the faculty members who teach the four classes of the program discuss their courses.

I believe one of the biggest strengths of Regent Law is its faculty members. Coming from some of the nation's top schools with a diverse professional background, our professors constantly inspire and challenge us. I enjoyed taking classes with each professor who taught during this program, and I also enjoyed getting to know them better outside of class.

As always, many thanks to everyone who appeared in this video and assisted in its production.

Vlog 11 of 11 - Visit to Paris

This is the eleventh and final video in the series about student life during Regent Law's summer 2013 study abroad program in Strasbourg, France. In this video, I see some of the sights of Paris, including the Palace of Versailles, before flying back home.

I was not expecting to like Paris as much as I did, because I usually do not like big cities. But I loved Paris and want to return again soon. The metro and RER system is well-laid out and easy to follow if you take some time to read the maps and signs. You can also use the Transilien website to plan your route through the city. I would highly recommend taking a boat cruise on the Seine, at night if possible. Some fellow law students and I had a great time with the Vedettes du Pont Neuf boat cruise company. I would also encourage you to take the short train ride out to the Palace of Versailles and see that wonder.

Well, I have enjoyed sharing our experiences in Europe with you. Filming and producing these vlogs has been challenging, but fun. I hope you have enjoyed the series and that you will participate yourself in the study abroad program someday.

Au revoir!