Law School launches exchange program with University of Hong Kong

Beginning this fall, several USC law students will spend a semester studying law at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) under a new international exchange program developed by USC Law. In turn, some HKU students will travel to Los Angeles to study at USC Law.

The pilot program, which will allow students to earn up to 17 ungraded USC law credits, is open to current 1Ls and 2Ls. Like most classes at HKU, the law courses will be taught in British English. The seaside campus, spread along the northwestern slopes of Hong Kong Island, has more than 14,000 students.

USC exchange students will have an opportunity to meet law students from 15 different countries as well as many others studying at HKU, says Spencer Kimura, associate director of USC’s LL.M. program.

“This exchange program allows our J.D. students to immerse themselves in the culture of Hong Kong, which is a strategic gateway to the burgeoning economy of China,” Kimura says. “It will expose them to law students and scholars from entirely different backgrounds and broaden their perspectives on how the rule of law is applied in other societies.”

Founded in 1911, HKU is one of Asia’s leading universities and one of the first to establish a law department. HKU’s Faculty of Law is particularly strong in areas relevant to Hong Kong and international law, including corporate and financial law, comparative and constitutional law, human rights and public law. Linked with over 80 partner institutions in 15 countries, HKU has exchange programs with prominent universities worldwide.

The deadline to apply for the exchange program is April 30, 2003. For more information or to obtain an application form, please contact the Law School International Programs Office (Room 405) at (213) 821-5916 or e-mail bdawes@law.usc.edu.