From New Zealand’s rugged shores to the neon lights of the Big Apple, there are plenty of places to learn the law of the land in international pre law programs. Whether you’re in search of a lawless Wild West, historic lawmakers like Hammurabi, or the hearty legal regimes of today’s modern urban centers, getting a pre-law degree abroad is a great way to learn and explore.

Home to the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the two main bodies charged with arbitrating international law, The Netherlands is hard to beat as a law degree destination. In addition to top-ranked universities with stellar academic records, students who study in the Netherlands will have access to plenty of opportunities to put their studies into practice with internships at international courts and businesses based in the country. When the law books get you down, an idyllic weekend bike ride through the tulip fields and windmills makes the perfect pick-me-up.

Get back to the roots of all of those Latin legalese terms when you pursue a pre-law degree in Italy. Italian universities have a strong history of legal studies, and law students will benefit from majestic libraries chock-full of legal canons and compagni di studio (study buddies). As an added bonus, students pursuing a law degree in Italy are unlikely to go hungry, as this feeder culture just wouldn’t allow it — so slurp that spaghetti like it’s the law. No need for mens rea (guilty mind) over a little extra tiramisu; you’ll walk it off in the courtroom!

When it comes to Southern Hemisphere pre-law degrees, New Zealand cooks up a great mix of majestic landscapes, fun accents, and academic savviness. This island nation is dotted with urban and rural universities offering a wide range of pre-law specializations, including niche topics like environmental law and indigenous rights. During study breaks, uphold your right to a cuppa (that’s Kiwi for a warm drink) and premeditate your next epic weekend camping adventure.