The only concrete prerequisite for admission to the GLS Program is a demonstrated proficiency in a language other than English (fluency in English is assumed). GLS students and alumni claim fluency or proficiency in a range of languages, most frequently French, Spanish, and Italian, and many of our Global Law Scholars speak more than two languages fluently. Over the years, conversations with GLS participants could be had in Arabic, Dutch, Mandarin, Korean, Hakka, Basque, Russian, Bulgarian, Persian (Farsi), Greek, Serbo-Croatian, Romanian, Portuguese, Mooré, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Gujarati, Japanese, Shona, and Turkish.
We encourage prospective applicants to review current GLS students’ biographies, as well as the biographies of our alumni, because they demonstrate that there is no GLS “profile” other than proficiency in a second language, a commitment to excellence, and a demonstrated curiosity about the world beyond the borders of the United States.
Although most of our students were born in the United States, all have lived, studied, or worked outside the country and many GLS students come to us from abroad, haling in recent years, for example, from Uruguay, Australia, the Ukraine, Turkey, Holland, Bulgaria, Serbia, Japan, and Korea. Some GLS students come to Georgetown directly from undergraduate or graduate school; others have returned to school after enjoying careers in international banking and journalism. GLS students have come to us after working for such diverse employers as the Inter-American Development Bank, the Coca-Cola Company, the U.S. Navy, an orphanage in Hong Kong, and the Boston Red Sox. The Program attracts students wishing to practice everything from national security law, to transnational corporate law, to international human rights or refugee law.
Dean Bellamy and Professor O’Sullivan are committed to the continuing success of the Global Law Studies Program and, in furtherance of that commitment, have a message for prospective applicants:
Ultimately, the GLS Program is only as strong as the students it attracts. We believe that there is no more interesting, varied, talented, or committed group of students at the Law Center. We invite you to review the specific requirements of the Program described below, and encourage all those who meet the Program’s qualifications to consider applying.
Last Revised October 15, 2008 - LS
