Rhodes Program

The legal and cultural traditions of Greece in general and the history of the island of Rhodes in particular, including its legendary sea laws, make summer study in Rhodes an ideal experience for law students seeking to learn about maritime legal affairs. With the objective of serving those interests, Tulane Law School has sponsored summer sessions in Greece every year since 1980. All classes will be held at the Rhodes Bay Hotel on the island of Rhodes.

Rhodes is a fascinating island, rich in culture, history, and natural beauty. It boasts rolling green hills that reach the emerald waters of the southeast Mediterranean Sea and hundreds of miles of beaches and coves. Ancient Greek temples, Byzantine churches, and medieval palaces speak of the glories of the past. As described by a former student, the program gives an “in-depth understanding in short time” and provides “efficient teaching, beautiful island, [and] friendly faculty.”

Program Co-Sponsor
The Aegean Institute of the Law of the Sea and Maritime Law has been a co-sponsor of Tulane’s Summer Program in Rhodes since 1994. The Institute, an independent research center affiliated with the University of the Aegean, is located in the center of Rhodes, has a specialized library and documentation center on the law of the sea and maritime law. The Institute organizes or participates in research projects, seminars and conferences related to the law of the sea and maritime law; it publishes the Aegean Review of Law of the Sea and Maritime Law. Each year the Institute grants scholarships to students from Greece and other countries to attend the Tulane summer session.

Follow the adventure on Instagram at #TulaneLawRhodes.

Students may earn a maximum of four credit hours in the three week session. Courses will be held Monday through Friday mornings at the Rhodes Bay Hotel. Each course will have 13 meetings for 55 minutes. Exams will be held on the last Friday of the program during the regularly scheduled course times. Exams will be one hour, anonymously graded, written examinations, subject to the provisions imposed by the Tulane University Law School Honor Code.

Course Descriptions

International Conventions and Maritime Law
Professor Martin Davies- Tulane University Law School
(one credit)
There are many international conventions (multilateral treaties) that govern aspects of maritime law. As a consequence, there is considerable international uniformity of the principles governing maritime law disputes. However, some conventions are amended by subsequent protocols, which are not uniformly adopted by the countries that adopted the original conventions. The United States is party to some, but not all of the international conventions, having chosen to follow its own path with domestic legislation on such matters as oil pollution and limitation of liability. Differences between versions of international conventions create the possibility of forum shopping by claimants or defendants seeking the most favorable country for their dispute to be heard. This course will consider the most important international conventions on maritime law (in outline), the differences (where they exist) between U.S. domestic maritime law and the international conventions, and some of the forum shopping techniques commonly used.

Maritime Personal Injury
Judge John deGravelles – US District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
(one credit)
Comparative analysis of laws governing maritime torts with emphasis on seamen's remedies for personal injuries and death. The course covers the three main seamen's remedies: maintenance and cure, unseaworthiness and the Jones Act. In addition, attention is given to the tort remedies of those covered under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act as well as the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and of non-workers. Maritime jurisdiction, conflicts of laws and the rights of foreign seamen in American courts are also addressed.

P&I 101: Protection and Indemnity Insurance Law and Practice
Professor Michael Harowski - Tulane University Law School
(one credit)
Protection and Indemnity Clubs are the backbone of marine liability insurance and are essential to maritime commerce. But what is a P&I Club, how does it work, and what is a lawyer’s role? This course will examine these issues and more. The course will provide an overview of the P&I insurance industry, including how the Clubs developed, the insurance coverage provided, and the sharing of large claims through the International Group. We also will examine the role of the vast network of local correspondents who represent the Clubs and their Members in ports throughout the world. And we will discuss how lawyers fit into this landscape to assist the Clubs and their Members in dealing with the wide variety of legal and commercial issues that arise daily in the maritime industry.

Introduction to the Law of the Sea
Professor Günther Handl- Tulane University Law School
(one credit)
This course reviews the public order of the oceans, i.e., the basic principles of international law, both customary and treaty-based, that apply to maritime spaces, such as the high seas, continental shelf, seabed and ocean floor. It analyzes the allocation of jurisdictional powers among individual states and the international community at large over the various maritime zones involved; the use and management of ocean resources, including fisheries and seabed mineral resources; marine environmental protection and pollution control; military uses of the oceans and navigational safety.

International Sports Dispute Resolution
Professor Gabriel Feldman- Tulane University Law School
(one credit)

Course Schedule
All courses meet at the hotel, Monday through Friday, at the following times:

8:00 a.m. - 8:55 a.m. Introduction to the Law of the Sea (Prof. Handl)

9:00 a.m. - 9:55 a.m Maritime Personal Injury (Prof. deGravelles)

10:00 a.m. - 10:55 a.m. International Conventions & Maritime Law (Prof. Davies)

11:00 a.m. - 11:55 a.m Protection and Indemnity Association (P & I Club) Law and Practice

12:00 p.m. - 12:55 p.m. International Sports Dispute Resolution

Please note that this schedule is tentative and subject to change based on scheduling conflicts.

Course Materials
Login information for course materials are sent to students prior to the program.

Staying Connected
Admitted students will receive access to the program’s WhatsApp group. Students should utilize this WhatsApp group to receive announcements from the director during the program. Students can also use this platform to connect with other admitted students prior to the start of the program.

Applications for the Rhodes Program will be taken on a first-come basis, with an estimated 30 spaces available. Please apply early to ensure your place in the program.

Faculty and most students stay at the Rhodes Bay Hotel where all classes are held. The hotel is located outside the city of Rhodes (10 minutes by bus). The Rhodes Bay is a true 5-star hotel, with breakfast included, private swimming pools, beach facility, 24-hour gym, health club, tennis and squash courts, etc. Tulane has negotiated special room rates and free access to the internet. Please see the Rhodes Bay Hotel website for more information.

Please note these housing rates are estimates and may vary. Confirmed Rhodes housing rates will be available in Spring 2024. Students may make changes to their Rhodes housing selections up until May 1, 2024. Please email lawabroad@tulane.edu to make changes.

The estimated rates per person are:

• Classical Room/Forest View, Double Occupancy: $1,482
• Classical Room/Forest View, Single Occupancy: $2,371
• Classical Room/Sea View, Double Occupancy: $1,710
• Classical Room/Sea View, Single Occupancy: $2,736

These rates are for 19 nights, checking in on Sunday and checking out following exams on the last day of the program (Friday). Please note that unless you extend your reservation dates, you will need to check-out of the hotel after exams and find alternative accommodations for that evening. The Rhodes Bay rates include breakfast.

If you wish to arrive earlier than the first Sunday or depart later than the last Friday, you can extend your reservations at the hotel by contacting them directly.

Please note that it is not possible to fly from Rhodes or from Athens to the United States on Friday because transoceanic flights depart in the morning hours. If you plan to return to the United States immediately after the end of the Rhodes program, you should make reservations for departure from Athens on the Saturday following exams and secure hotel accommodations for the night of the last Friday in either Rhodes or Athens.

In addition to regularly scheduled classes, there are social and educational activities organized by Tulane. In past years, these have included a Rhodes cultural city tour, a day trip to the beautiful island of Halki, and a day trip to the historic town of Lindos. A calendar of all activities will be given to you when you arrive in Greece.

The estimated dates for the 2024 Rhodes Program are May 26 - June 14. Students should plan to arrive in Rhodes on Sunday, May 26 and depart no earlier than the evening of Friday, June 14 after exams are completed. Exams cannot be rescheduled. Program accommodations include checking in on the first Sunday of the program and checking out on the day of the final exam. You may extend your accommodations at the Rhodes Bay by contacting the Rhodes Bay Hotel directly, please see the Rhodes Housing section.

Students are responsible for all travel and are strongly advised to purchase travel insurance. We recommend researching ticket prices early to find the most competitive fares.

Bringing Family
Family members and friends are cordially invited to participate in all activities except the academic course. Please let the Program Director know that they are coming

Visas
U.S. citizens do not require a visa due to the short time period you will be abroad. International students should check with the appropriate embassy or consulate to ascertain whether a visa is necessary.

Language
The Rhodes Program is conducted entirely in English. Fluency in English is a prerequisite for all students. Students are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities to acquire basic Greek language skills before arriving in Rhodes.

Overall

• This program is the perfect way to learn more about Maritime law on a beautiful island. I would recommend this program to any law student who would listen. The staff is the best, the facilities were great, and the excursions were worthwhile.
• Life changing experience.
• Loved this program. Learned a lot and loved the professors and atmosphere.
• You are going to be able explore a new area of law that has such a rich history. Even if you aren't interested in maritime as a career, you will be a much more well-rounded candidate for other areas of law because you dipped your toe into an area that has been around since the beginning of the law.
• I cannot imagine a program more interesting or fun. Anyone that can make the time or afford it should absolutely attend.
• Anyone interested in maritime and international aspects of the shipping industry should strongly consider participating in this program!
• Go on this trip. It is an incredible opportunity to gain knowledge about the shipping industry - where we get 90% of what we own. The professors at Tulane are incredible, and have specialized knowledge of this field. The materials are enlightening, but the reading load is reasonable - giving you time to explore the island.
• I would recommend the program to anyone interested in maritime law.
• It's amazing. Class, read, beach, eat, repeat.

Courses

• I really enjoyed studying Maritime Arbitration, Maritime Personal Injury and International Conventions, very complex matters well explained in a very short time. The professors gave another perspective of these matters that I can apply in my law practice.
• The classes were interesting and thought provoking. The classes also made me consider maritime law for future practice.
• I feel I was able to grasp the course materials fairly easily for the program being only three weeks. It was very beneficial to be able to interact with my professors in class and out of class and during excursions or elsewhere at the resort. I also realized that I want to specialize in representing P&I Clubs after I graduate from law school!
• I had no knowledge of maritime before this summer. When it came to our actual classes, I felt like I was learning with everyone, rather than being left behind. Thoroughly enjoyed my class time. The timing of classes was very well thought out.
• The courses opened my eyes to an entire new industry and field, which I have found incredibly intriguing. Every course I attended was well taught, and incredibly informative.
• I received a great foundation for my future maritime law studies. Professors were top notch.
• The courses were fantastic and provided a great entry point to start learning about maritime law. You couldn't ask for a better group of professors to learn from.
• The courses covered subject matter that I was seeking exposure to. This program allowed me to learn about topics that would have otherwise remained unavailable to me. There were review sessions offered in some of the classes that proved very helpful and the professors were very receptive to questions.
• The classroom was great! From the views of Turkey, the Aegean sea, and the forest to the outlets next to every desk, I couldn't think of a better place to learn about maritime law!

Beneficial to Career?

• Yes and yes because you are able to interact more personally with the professors, practitioners, and justices since there are fewer students in each class and more opportunities for one-on-one time outside of the classroom than you get during on-campus office hours.
• Yes, it has made me want to explore maritime personal injury!
• I believe this program has helped me determine if maritime is a realistic option for my professional career. The materials are interesting and for students who have never taken an admiralty class or maritime law, it is really eye opening and informational.
• Yes! I made lots of meaningful connections with both the other students and the professors which I believe will benefit me in my professional career.
• Yes, it has solidified my interest in Maritime Law.
• Yes, this program gave me a great intro and baseline to maritime and admiralty law, which I have an increasing interest in pursuing. It was also nice to meet new people, and get to know the professors in a smaller, slightly less formal setting.
• Yes, this was a great introduction for the area of law I’m going to specialize in
• It was very beneficial in my academic career because I needed the credits for my LLM and it was also beneficial in my professional career because what we learned is what you see on a daily basis when you practice maritime law.
• I have an interest in the water and Energy sectors, and this material will be beneficial to an understanding of both fields.
• Yes. It allowed to me ask pertinent questions about pursuing a legal career. It gave me the opportunity to make connections with a broader range of law students and professors.
• Yes - gave me a primer in maritime, which I did not think I would be interested in. Gives me an added advantage as I am focusing on international business, and 90% of goods are shipped via water.

Liked Most About the Program

• The venue for housing and classes. Everything in one spot with the pools, beach, food, breakfasts made it perfect.
• I liked the location the most. Rhodes is amazing, and I will recommend it to everyone in the future.
• The atmosphere in regards to both the academic and the recreational side.
• The level of expertise the professors possess, the opportunity to study with and connect with lawyers from abroad and experiences of being wonderful historic country!
• The materials were fantastic.
• I liked that we were done pretty early each day! I felt like this gave me plenty of time to get work done but also get to enjoy Greece! I also love that we got a 3 day weekend.
• Studying with other students from other countries
• I really enjoyed the classroom work. Discussions were engaging and the material interesting.
• The courses, professors, and location in Rhodes.
• Pretty much everything.
• Being in Rhodes! Also, the accessibility of the professors; it was an unique experience to talk with them outside the confines of the classroom.

Location

• Rhodes bay hotel was the perfect place to stay. it is close to Old Town and a strip of restaurants, It has great amenities and is it convenient to stay all in one place and take classes in the same building.
• Rhodes Bay is awesome. I wish I could do this trip again!
• I found the classrooms very comfortable with a very relaxing sea view.
• Rhodes Bay was amazing. Very easy to work with for reservations and during our stay.
• Rhodes Bay Hotel was very nice and accommodating. The breakfast was great and the views from the classroom and all around the hotel were perfect.
• I found the classrooms very comfortable with a very relaxing sea view.
• The best place to study Maritime Law is where it was born, Rhodes. Amazing destination.
• I loved the location- Rhodes was amazing and I would love to go back.
• The location is impossible to beat, and that showed in how happy everyone was to be there which made all the professors happy to discuss and explain any material either in or outside of class.

Excursions

• Lindos was a great excursion. It was beautiful and gave us a chance to see more of the island than just our half. If anything, I would have loved more time here.
• Professor Davies was an excellent tour guide for both excursions.
• Lindos was my favorite because we had a lot of free time to explore the area and could spend as much time as we wanted at each attraction. I went to the acropolis, St. Paul's Bay, ate lunch, and shopped around the town.

Location

• Rhodes bay hotel was the perfect place to stay. it is close to Old Town and a strip of restaurants, It has great amenities and is it convenient to stay all in one place and take classes in the same building.
• Rhodes Bay is awesome. I wish I could do this trip again!
• I found the classrooms very comfortable with a very relaxing sea view.
• Rhodes Bay was amazing. Very easy to work with for reservations and during our stay.
• Rhodes Bay Hotel was very nice and accommodating. The breakfast was great and the views from the classroom and all around the hotel were perfect.
• I found the classrooms very comfortable with a very relaxing sea view.
• The best place to study Maritime Law is where it was born, Rhodes. Amazing destination.
• I loved the location- Rhodes was amazing and I would love to go back.
• The location is impossible to beat, and that showed in how happy everyone was to be there which made all the professors happy to discuss and explain any material either in or outside of class.

Student Alumni Recommendations

• Allow yourself the experience of a lifetime. Rhodes, Greece is an island that is extremely underrated and it is truly a breathtaking place to study maritime law.
• Dive in head first. Whether that is into the Aegean Sea or into the classes themselves. Seeking this new adventure will allow yourself to grow and be challenged in a way that will ultimately make you a better lawyer.
• Reach out to the other students on the trip. What made this the best experience were the friendships formed throughout the time we were here. Regarding the classes, do the readings, interact with the professors and it will make the classes a lot more interesting and easy to follow.
• Do it -> its worth every penny. The courses, professors, location, everything about this program is amazing.
• Do it! Even if you are not interested in maritime law, it is a great way to explore the world and learn from some of the most renowned maritime law experts in the nation/world.
• If you attend the program, don't slack on the readings because the exams are real law school exams; however, take plenty of time to explore and soak everything in. Pro tip, do your readings by the ocean or pool!
• What worked best for me was completing class readings after class ended every day to allow afternoons and evenings to explore the island. The readings are very do-able & do not take up much time.
• Definitely take the public bus system to/from old town. It's so much cheaper than a taxi, and sometimes you can get dropped off right at your destination depending on the driver of the bus.
• Da Romeo Restaurant is an excellent place to eat at. It is fairly priced, the staff/service is friendly and excellent, and you'll get your money's worth in regards to your food. No meal was ever below "decent tasting."
• I recommend if you want to try local food to visit any of the little restaurants near the hotel. They are very cheap and offer the same thing. If you get bored of local food you can go to Amalfi Restaurant which is a very nice place close to the hotel and it has a very relaxing atmosphere. Also I recommend to visit tsambika beach if you can.
• Da Romeo has the best schnitzel on the island (I ate a lot of schnitzel...). The bus is cheap, but the island is also fairly easy to bike. Bicycles are supposed to stay on the right side of the road, off of the sidewalk.
• Ideal (restaurant) had good food, didn't cost too much, and was super close.
• The buses are easy to understand - ask the front desk about it.
• Tsampikas Beach - Lindos & its beach: spend more time there than the 3 hours you get from the mandatory tour
• Marco Polo & Dinoris - treat yourself at least once to dinner here, locals eat here, not just tourists
• Macao & Mozaik - if you're going out, go here.
• Eat at Anna's for good, cheap, near food. Go to Anthony Quinn Bay.
• Do the all day inclusive excursion on the Aphrodite Duchess, by Rhodes Sea Lines!
• Rent a villa in Lindos for the long weekend with classmates who don't travel off island that weekend. Take a day trip to Turkey and a day trip to Symi.
• Drossoulites - traditional Cretan restaurant (amazing food & prices -by new town of Rhodes). Koukos - amazing Greek cuisine with a twist (really good coffee too). Sissitio- (old town) amazing drinks, music, and food. Beaches near old town - Ronda & Baia. BEST ICE CREAM & COFFEE ON THE ISLAND HANDS DOWN IS DREAM CREAM (and there’s two locations, one which is right down the street from the Rhodes day hotel, and one right next to Koukos!)
• Food wise, try to stay away from the super touristy restaurants where the hosts try to lure you in!