One New Firm Each Day: #1 Pre-Law Summer Abroad Program

Overall, my study abroad experience was very positive and gave me the opportunity to grow academically, personally, and independently. I especially enjoyed the academic sessions that allowed us to compare the legal systems of Italy, the European Union, and the United States. These discussions connected well with my interest in international law and gave me a perspective that I could not have gained from studying only in the United States. Overall the program helped me become more independent, culturally aware, and confident, and it strengthened my interest in pursuing international law.

My experience was great! The group I went with was awesome, we were seven people, both undergrad and post grad, and were accompanied by a City Manager and a Legal Aide. We did law firm visits, had legal training sessions, legal excursions, and cultural excursions as well. All were super informative and I felt like by the end of the two weeks I had a full understanding of what I wanted to get out of being a lawyer and the best way to get there. The biggest complaint all of us had was the amount of food that was given to us by the program, a majority of the meals had to be paid by the students. A lot of us ended up eating the same things a majority of the time so we didn't have to spend as much money but when the program did feed us we ate well!

I participated in the Lex Fellowship pre-law program in Athens, Greece for two weeks. I had such an amazing experience being immersed in Greek culture and life. The program was very beneficial in helping me better understand what a career in law looks like. I learned a lot about various fields of law, visited law firms, and met different lawyers. Additionally, I also got to participate in legal excursions as part of the program, including visiting the Parliament and going on a cruise. The program was very organized and structured, and the staff was super nice and helpful.

This was an amazing experience, and I highly recommend joining if you're unsure about the type of law you want to practice. This has helped me decide on what type of attorney I want to become in a few years. Especially our mentors, Kaylah and Heidi, who help us guide ourselves throughout the city. Even spent time with us after the law firms and helped us with any clarifications that we needed regarding certain topics. In our free time, they reunited us and we went to an event in France because it was their independence It was an amazing experience, and how they included us and how every year all the French people gather around and celebrate it.

This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Lex Fellowship's Pre-Law Program in Lisbon, Portugal. Over two weeks, I worked alongside students from universities across the country, participating in law firm visits, mock trials, legal training sessions, and cultural excursions, including a guided tour of the Portuguese Parliament and Constitutional Court! We explored many areas of law, including international, corporate, family, and even music copyright. The lawyers we met were both welcoming and honest about the realities of their careers, challenging us during our mock “cases” and pushing us to think critically.

It was a truly meaningful experience I will never forget, especially because of the amazing people I met along the way. It also solidified my passion for pursuing a future legal career, and for that, I am deeply grateful.

I am honored to share that I received a Certificate of Excellence from the Lex Fellowship, a special recognition awarded to participants who demonstrate exceptional dedication to all aspects of the program.

The Lex Fellowship in DC was an exceptional opportunity to explore the law school journey and its significance for me. I appreciated learning from our legal assistant and hearing her stories and experiences with the law, especially because of how personal it made the program feel. Whenever there was a problem, it was generally pretty easy to communicate with city managers, roommates, our legal assistant, and others in the group. I really liked the programming of events and the balance between different types of experiences, but I kind of wish that we had gone to the Capitol as a group. The group of students in this program made my experience super fun and memorable. It was very worth getting involved and participating. I believe I improved a lot as a an aspiring law student and individual as a whole.

My trip to Boston was truly unforgettable because of the firsthand experience I had working with law firms. Being part of the very first group to go to Boston made it feel extra special—we were paving the way, and that came with both excitement and challenges.

The highlights were definitely the people. I made friends I know I’ll keep for a lifetime, and the bonds we built made the long days worthwhile. My city managers and my assigned 1L student were incredible. They were approachable, supportive, and genuinely invested in helping me succeed. Their guidance didn’t just help me during the trip—it changed the course of my academic journey. Because of their mentorship, I felt motivated to continue my education, and now I’m on track to finish my MBA before pursuing my JD. That kind of inspiration is priceless.

That said, I want to be honest about a few things that could be improved. Since our group was the first to go, there were definitely moments where it felt like the program was still finding its rhythm. Some scheduling issues came up, and there were times we weren’t sure what was expected of us until the last minute. It wasn’t a deal-breaker by any means, but better communication and clearer planning could have made the experience run even more smoothly. I’ve seen other reviewers mention similar concerns, and I think it’s fair to say that while the foundation is strong, the logistics could use a little polish.

What stood out most to me, though, was the exposure to real-world legal work. It wasn’t just classroom learning—I got to step into actual firms, ask questions, and see how lawyers operate day-to-day. That perspective helped me confirm that law is the right path for me. Even when things didn’t go perfectly, the lessons I walked away with outweighed the hiccups.

Looking ahead, I can honestly say Boston left its mark on me. I plan to move there after I finish school, partly because of how connected I felt to the city during my time at Lex. Reconnecting with the lawyers I met and continuing to build on those professional relationships is something I’m excited about.

If you’re considering this program, know that it won’t be perfect—few experiences are—but the people you meet, the doors it opens, and the memories you create will stay with you. For me, it was one of the most meaningful trips I’ve ever taken.

This program was very insightful into law international and domestic, but still allowed for us to explore the city and enjoy ourselves in this new place. We got to go to the Palais du Justice ( new and old ) and learn for lots of people with lots of experiences. Our city manager and Legal instructor were very helpful to answer questions and offer insight. They were also very kind making this daunting experience a lot easier. Exploring Paris for the first time by myself was one of the best experiences I could've given myself. Overall I am very glad I went.