Law Clerk at firm vs. Study Abroad during 1L Summer Forum

[BenderB11]

Hi, I have a question about 1L summer. I am a 1L and I have successfully secured a paying gig as a law clerk at a small firm for this summer. I realize in this market that it's pretty tough to get paid during your 1L summer, so I'm pretty thankful for this.

However, I'm also considering the idea of doing a study abroad program that my school offers. It is 4 weeks long, beginning in May and ending the 2nd week in June. I have a full-tuition scholly, so the cost for summer credits is free, though I would still have to pay for my plane ticket, etc. Courses that I am interested in taking are International Business Transactions and International Business Arbitration and Litigation. As you can see, I'm interested in the business/corporate/mediation side of law and I think the courses offered during this program would help supplement that.

So my question is: Am I better off just working at the firm all summer, or would it look better if I did both?

I've already brought this up with the firm, and he said it was up to me and just to let them know when I would like the start. They appear to be extremely flexible with time/hours, so that's good at least. But I need to make a decision here soon regardless.

I've always wanted to study abroad and I regret not taking the opportunity during undergrad. At the same time, I absolutely do not want to do it if it would weaken my resume or if employers during my interviews for 2L summer will look down on it for some reason.

Money really isn't an issue regardless of which route I take. I'm on a full-ride, I have significant savings, etc. The real determining factor is how this would affect my resume.

I'm really torn on this right now, so any thoughts/advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

[09042014]

Go but you don't have to put it on your resume if you decide its a bad thing. Just work midJune til school starts.

[Jchance]

^What he said.

Do both.