EU Institute of International Law
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EU Institute of International Law
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[edit] Institute
The EU Institute, recently renamed the US-EU Institute, is a think tank devoted to conducting cutting-edge research and education on issues of European Union law and policy as they impact the broader world. The institute brings together scholars, members of governments, judges, policy makers, and students from around the world in an annual summer retreat that is organized in the form of a summer school with a difference. Eschewing conventional lecture-type formats, the emphasis is on achieving an in-depth understanding of select issues through discussions and seminars. The three founders of the US-EU Institute are Prof. Sandeep Gopalan, Mr. Jochen Ehlers, and Ms. Nadja Klebig.
[edit] Fields of Law
The EU Institute focusses on topical issues in transnational commercial law, and European law. The European Union is a major trading partner of the United States and Asia, and as the enlargement process of the EU continues a sound understanding of the many legal and policy questions that arise is imperative for any lawyer interested in international law.
[edit] Summer School
The EU Institute holds a summer school in Germany, one of the world’s largest economies and the strongest market in the European Union. In addition to the rigorous academic program, the Summer School at the EU Institute is a collegial exercise where one learns as much from formal dinnertime conversations with one’s peers as one does in the classroom.
The US-EU Institute, which was formerly known as the EU Institute of International Law, started in the summer of 2006 with only 4 students, two of whom left the program early. The program was primarily conducted in lecture format, and the discussions were quite basic and shallow as most students did not have extensive legal training.
There were no formal textbooks provided to the students. Readings primarily consisted of photocopies of unedited legal cases downloaded from the Internet. Readings were provided on a weekly basis so it was difficult to read ahead. Class schedules changed from week to week during the summer of 2006.
[edit] Comparative Law
Lawyers previously looked at legal developments in Europe as of interest only to those studying “comparative law.” But lawyers today cannot afford to ignore the influence of European law. Clients must increasingly comply with European Union requirements – from the technical to directives on matters ranging from the protection of privacy rights to e-commerce to antitrust. All lawyers should be aware of the enormous legal changes, and challenges, now taking place within the EU, and their relationships with the United States and other countries.
[edit] Location and Transportation
EU Institute is located in a park-like garden at the lake Siethen with the possibility of swimming and other aquatic sports. Set admidst the lush countryside in the little village of Siethen, it is located within easy distance of the german capital Berlin.
The school is located about 40 Km outside of central Berlin. To reach the school from Berlin, there are approximately two trains each hour from Berlin Hauptbahnhof that arrive at the Ludwigsfelde train station, and the travel time on the train is approximately 25 mintues. Last train from Berlin to Ludwigsfelde is between 23:30 and 00:30.
The distance from Ludwigsfelde train station to the campus is another 7 Km. There are approximately four buses each day that stop close to the school. There are no night buses that stop close to the school. From the bus stop, one has to walk approximately 1 Km to reach the campus. Total travel time by public transportation is about 1 hour each way.
If you plan on staying out late in Berlin and returning late, taxis are difficult to find at the Ludwigsfelde train station during late night or early morning. The cab fare costs approximately 15 Euros from Ludwigsfelde train station to the campus.
The Institute provided very limited shuttle service from the campus to Ludwigsfelde train station or the nearby towns. During summer 2006, shuttle service was provided primarily by the cleaning lady, who was also the Institute's cook. Night-time shuttle services were primarily provided by Mr. J. Ehlers, one of the Institute's instructors, on a very limited and inconsistent basis. Thus, for students who want to experience the activities of Berlin and return at a later time, taxi cabs, if they were available at the train station, were the only dependable alternative.
[edit] Facilities
The facilities at the school are basic. Dorm rooms consist of basic Ikea furniture. There are no in-room washing facilities, such as a sink. To reach the toilets or showers, students have to walk to another building. In summer of 2006, there was no cable television or laundry facility on campus. Washing was done by the staff of the US-EU Institute. The laundry is returned wet and the students had to hang their own clothes. Drying one's clothes this way may be a problem during the cold winter months.
There was one computer for four students. Though Internet connection through a satellite dish was installed, the download and upload speed remained very slow relative to high-speed Internet connections such as DSL or cable modem. There were no public phones on campus available for students so cell phones are recommended.
[edit] Board
The food provided at the US-EU Institute was quite basic. Breakfast primarily consisted of cereals, bread, and jam. All four students were quite dissatisfied with the quality of the food provided.
Dinner was not provided as students were responsible for their own dinners. The Institute did provide a freezer filled with frozen pizzas. It is quite inconvenient to go for dinner at the restaurants in the nearby towns such as Ludwisfelde, which is at least 5 Km away.
Though the kitchen is quite large for the four students and three staff, the cooking equipment is quite limited.
