International Travel

Harvard Law School’s global focus is central to its legal inquiry. Each year, students travel to countries throughout the world to work, study, and conduct legal research. HLS has a number of resources available to assist students traveling abroad. Any student traveling abroad should first become familiar with the resources and requirements detailed on these pages.

Prior to international travel, HLS students should be sure to do the following:

1. Register the trip in the Harvard Travel Registry. This enables the University to locate you quickly and provide assistance in the event of an emergency (i.e., natural disaster, civil unrest, etc.). Registering is required for all students traveling under Harvard auspices and strongly recommended for everyone.  Students should create a profile in the Travel Registry and then record their specific trip information and make sure the information stays up-to-date.
2. Review, sign and return the appropriate Assumption of Risk form.  
3. Review the services provided by Harvard Travel Assist and relevant health and safety information and take appropriate steps. Students traveling abroad for academic or professional reasons are covered at no cost to themselves by Harvard Travel Assist, a program that provides 24-hour worldwide emergency medical and security evacuation services.  Please note that this program is a supplement to, not a substitute for, health insurance.  These services are also available to students for personal travel at a discounted rate.
4. Obtain the necessary passport and visa.

In addition, HLS students should review Harvard's Global Support Services' travel risk ratings. Students who are considering travel to an area that is categorized as high-risk must:

1. Complete and submit the Questionnaire for Graduate Student Travel.
2. Consult with Steve Taylor, Associate Director of International Safety and Security.

This is necessary for travel in conjunction with courses or clinics as well as independent travel. Please be aware that HLS may advise against -- and may even withhold support for -- travel that is deemed to pose excessive risk.

Further information regarding preparation for travel abroad can be found on Harvard’s Global Support Services web page as well as on these international travel pages. Students report that their experiences overseas are more successful if they plan their trips carefully.

Working or studying in a foreign country can be an exciting and rewarding experience. HLS encourages students to seek out international opportunities that will enrich their law school studies and facilitate the fulfillment of their academic and professional goals. There are many frameworks for HLS students to travel abroad, including study abroad, clinical projects, independent research and writing projects, summer public interest internships, law firm summer associateships, student organization trips, and faculty-led courses. Students may find additional information about international opportunities through the following people and offices, as well as relevant research centers and programs, and faculty members.

    International Legal Studies
       Sara Zucker, Director
        Alexis Boyce, Program Officer

    Office of Public Interest Advising
        Lisa Williams, Associate Director
        Judith Murciano, Associate Director and Director of Fellowships

    Office of Career Services
        Marni Caputo, Assistant Director for International and J.D. Advising

    Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs
        Jill Crockett, Associate Director
        Liz Solar, Assistant Director of Externships and Administration