The Faculty of Law at Palacký University Olomouc successfully hosted the second edition of its three-week Summer School for law students from two partner universities in the United States. Designed to introduce participants to Czech and European law, history, and culture, the programme once again received highly positive feedback from students and academic staff alike.
This year’s Summer School welcomed twenty students from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the University of Illinois Chicago, accompanied by four members of academic staff. Building on the success of last year’s inaugural edition, the programme introduced several new features, including the involvement of Czech law students and a more tailored academic curriculum based on the participants’ level of study.
“What makes this Summer School unique is its length, comprehensive academic content, and close cooperation with our long-standing partner universities in the United States,” said Martin Faix, Vice-Dean for International Affairs. “We are delighted to continue this successful initiative and once again offer American students a programme that combines high-quality legal education with practical study visits and opportunities to discover Czech history and culture.”
According to Vice-Dean Faix, the Summer School is a natural extension of the Faculty’s long-term partnerships with American universities. “Our goal is to strengthen these collaborations while giving students first-hand insight into the Czech and European legal environment. Studying law is not only about understanding legal rules—it is also about appreciating the values of democracy, the rule of law, and the functioning of public institutions.”
Compared with the previous year, the programme attracted even greater interest. One of the most significant innovations was dividing participants into two academic tracks according to their level of study. Undergraduate students focused primarily on comparative law, Central Europe, and the process of European integration, while graduate students explored the topic of social housing from legal and policy perspectives.
“This structure allowed us to better reflect the different levels of knowledge and experience among participants, resulting in more engaging academic discussions and an overall stronger educational experience,” Martin Faix explained.
Another important addition was the participation of students from the Faculty of Law at Palacký University. Their involvement strengthened the international dimension of the programme, creating more opportunities for participants to exchange perspectives, discuss differences between the Czech and American legal systems, compare everyday life in both countries, and build lasting friendships across cultures.
By combining academic excellence with cultural exchange and practical learning experiences, the Summer School continues to strengthen international cooperation and provide participants with a deeper understanding of European legal traditions and Czech society.