Jump to other pages in the Programs section
The following comments are taken from students who participated in the Study Law in Alaska program.
"I think the Study Law in Alaska program is an excellent opportunity for a law student to commingle a summer legal internship with a law course for credit and get to visit a unique and enchanting place like Alaska! I gained valuable legal experience through my internship, earned class credit from an interesting course, and met many great people. This program is ideal for those who might like to someday live in Alaska or even for those who just want to visit. It is truly an exceptional and valuable experience you will never forget."
Ashley Hammerich
Syracuse University School of Law
“I had a fantastic experience – one of the best summers of my life – and I’d recommend the Alaska program to anyone. I spent every day in court, learning the ins and outs of being a trial attorney from amazingly talented lawyers, and every weekend traveling, hiking, and kayaking through the most beautiful natural environment I’ve ever seen. Where else can you finish your trial in court on Friday and be hiking in Denali National Park by Saturday? Thank goodness for the midnight sun! Otherwise, there wouldn’t have been enough hours in the day to do everything! Actually, there’s still not enough time to do everything you want to do, but the 20 hours of light each day gives you a fighting chance…”
Christine Newbry
Seattle University School of Law
“Without a doubt, attending the Study in Alaska program was the best decision I made since I decided to go to law school. The classes, jobs, and overall experience can’t be separated from its amazing setting—Alaska is a wholly unique legal environment, and the program exposed us to the peculiarities of practicing in a place of staggering beauty that needs protection, unparalleled natural resources, and with issues of Native Rights and difficult family law situations. The program opened doors with many local institutions and courts, and we even had lunch with the famed Alaska Supreme Court! Plus, working at the Anderson Law Group gave me experience drafting pleadings and contracts, advising clients, and negotiating with opposing counsels, all in a supporting and challenging work environment. Even for those not planning on practicing up in Alaska, my summer was filled with real-world experience and connections that were far beyond what my classmates received back in Connecticut. And, oh yeah—on weekends you could travel to Denali, camp out on the Homer Spit, go salmon fishing on the Kenai, climb any of the scores of peaks and trails around Anchorage, feed a musk ox up in Palmer, or boat around glaciers and fjords from Seward. Just unbeatable.”
Blake Ratcliff
University of Connecticut School of Law
“This program was a great way to study and gain legal experience in an amazing setting. The interesting career opportunities available in Alaska combined with the beautiful scenery and wilderness surrounding Anchorage make this program worth checking out.”
John Persell
Southern Illinois University school of Law
“I recall a Seattle U poster which described the Summer in Alaska program. On it was a caption, “You will never forget your summer in Alaska.” It is so true. My summer here has definitely been my best experience in law school, and one of the best in my entire life. Alaska is an amazing place to work, meet interesting people, and enjoy the natural beauty of the world. Furthermore, I couldn’t have asked for more from the program. Here, I enjoyed networking opportunities, gained work experience, and put more credits under my belt going into my second year. I think every law student should strongly consider a summer in Alaska for reasons too numerous to mention.”
Chris Maryatt
Seattle University School of Law
“Seattle University’s Study Law In Alaska Program is definitely the best way I could have spent the summer after my first year in law school. My internship at the Municipality provided me with great legal experience and professional contacts and the Alaskan Environmental Law course was a unique opportunity to learn about important current issues in environmental law in Alaska. Most importantly, Alaska was an amazing place to spend the summer. Everyone in Alaska is friendly and the hiking and backpacking opportunities are limitless. Seeing moose, glaciers, and mountains all around were some of the many highlights of my time in Alaska.”
Heidi Vonblum
University of San Diego School of Law
“The Alaska experience is one that I highly recommend to all law students. Not only did I get to take a class on two different areas of law, but I also got great work experience. What made the summer special was the fact that it was in Alaska and I made great friends. Alaska is a vast land of endless beauty and lots of sunshine in the summer months. After class or on weekends I had the opportunity to go hiking, camping, fishing, and whitewater rafting. Looking back, the summer felt more like a vacation, and I did not want to leave.”
Nikhil Bavariya
Seattle University School of Law
“When approaching the summer of my 1L year, I couldn’t decide whether I wanted to take classes, get a legal job, or travel. I was delighted when, upon hearing about the Summer in Alaska program, I realized that I could do all three! To say Alaska is a beautiful place with friendly people would be a drastic understatement. Going to Alaska was a wonderful decision and I made friends and memories that will last a lifetime!”
Grace Wiener
Seattle University School of Law