Pepperdine Caruso Law London Study Tour to Poland Highlighted by Special Meeting with President Andrzej Duda
Students in the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law London Program, along with professor Maureen Weston and London Program associate director Karen Haygreen, traveled to Poland in September 2026 for a study tour exploring Polish history, law, diplomacy, and dispute resolution.
In Warsaw, the group visited the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews and participated in a briefing with officials from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and lawyers with Peak Legal and the Polish Court of Arbitration. The briefing included legal and diplomatic issues facing Poland and Europe, international dispute resolution, and the impact of new technologies and artificial intelligence on arbitration practice.
In Krakow, students had the extraordinary opportunity to meet with Andrzej Duda, President of Poland from 2015–2025, and professor Rafał Kos at Jagiellonian University. President Duda discussed his decade as Poland’s president, the complex geopolitical considerations facing the country, and the importance of preparedness and relationships in domestic and international diplomacy. Professor Kos shared insights from his experience advising the executive branch, including the responsibilities associated with decision-making at the highest levels of government.
The study tour also provided important opportunities to engage with Poland’s history and cultural heritage. Students visited Auschwitz-Birkenau, where they confronted the profound historical consequences of the breakdown of law, democratic institutions, and fundamental human rights. The group also toured the Wieliczka Salt Mine and Kraków Saltworks Museum, including the remarkable underground Chapel of St. Kinga.
The Poland Study Tour exemplifies the London Program’s commitment to extending legal education beyond the classroom. Through meetings with government officials, lawyers, arbitrators, and scholars, together with visits to significant historical and cultural sites, students gained a deeper understanding of Poland and the intersections of law, government, diplomacy, history, and culture.
The London Program students are grateful to their Polish hosts for generously sharing their time, expertise, perspectives, and warm hospitality throughout this exceptional educational experience. Special thanks to Karen Haygreen for coordinating the many details that made the study tour possible. A special thank you also to Pepperdine Caruso Law and London Program alumnus Michael Geraghty (JD '12) for inspiring the visit to Poland.
