While their Boston peers are sweating out another oppressive June heat wave, some Suffolk Law students are keeping cool this summer – in the medieval university town of Lund, Sweden.

In what is now a midsummer tradition, a select group of Suffolk Law students is studying comparative and international law at the prestigious Lund University in Sweden. The annual summer abroad program in Lund, now in its 14th year, offers students a unique approach to learning international law, providing an interactive experience both inside and outside the classroom.

On Wednesday, the group had the opportunity to meet Chief Justice Marianne Lundius of the Swedish Supreme Court — the first woman in Swedish history to head the nation's highest court. Justice Lundius discussed the role the Supreme Court plays in Swedish society, explaining her court's approach to resolving matters brought before it and answering the students' questions, before meeting them informally at a reception. 

"It was a fantastic event," said Suffolk Law Professor Gabriel Teninbaum, Associate Professor of Legal Writing, who is teaching in Lund this summer. "[Justice Lundius] received her legal training at Lund University, so this event was a homecoming for her."

Justice Lundius received an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Lund University this past May — the same degree that Suffolk Law professor Bernie Ortwein was awarded in 2007. Ortwein is the director of the Sweden Summer Law program. 

Last week, the students paid a visit to nearby Skane, where they attended a lecture and Q&A session with Patricia Stahl, Superintendent of the area's Swedish National Police, and Inspector Fredrik Wahloo.

Cadet Gustav Grafstrom later offered the group an up-close look at an equipped police vehicle. 

Suffolk University has partnered with Lund University law faculty for the past 14 years to provide students with a world-class academic and cultural experience. Students work closely with peers and faculty from both the US and Sweden, broadening their understanding of the law from within a new legal framework. To enhance the program's global perspective, some classes feature members of the University of Lund Law Faculty co-teaching with American Law Faculty.

In addition, the two schools have established academic scholarships which allow students from Suffolk Law School to matriculate in the University of Lund Masters of European Law program and students from the University of Lund to attend Suffolk's LLM in Global Technology.

Photos courtesy of Professor Gabriel Teninbaum.