Staff exchanges are an extremely enjoyable way to discover other education systems, gain international and intercultural experience, develop new professional skills and network with foreign colleagues.

Exchanges are available for both academic staff and non-academic staff.

Where can I go?

Europe

Within Europe, we work with over 40 law faculties that offer opportunities for Erasmus exchanges.

Exchanges can be organised through Erasmus+ for Training, for training courses, language training, job shadowing and other short courses with European partners (for all academic staff (WP) and non-academic staff (OBP), including Leiden-based PhD students) and through Erasmus+ for Teaching Assignments, for teaching courses with European partners (for all Leiden-based WP and OBP staff).

More information and the conditions are available here:

• Erasmus+ for Training 
• Erasmus+ for Teaching Assignments

Limited funding possible for 2025-2026.

Please refer to Staff weeks search | IMOTION (staffmobility.eu) for an overview of staff training weeks in Europe.

North America

Our faculty has enjoyed a very valuable collaboration with UC Law, San Francisco, since the early 1990s. This is a teaching exchange with the option for research. Many of our employees have taught courses there over the years, and in return, we welcome a UC Law lecturer here every spring.

The exchange always happens in spring for a period of four months. Alternative formats: Condensed courses: One-unit class: 2 hours/week for 7 weeks. The exchange period may be extended with research work.

UC Law, San Francisco provides an apartment for the duration of the course, while the faculty takes care of the travel costs to San Francisco and visa costs plus a small allowance for the (high) living expenses. Please note that the business travel reimbursement scheme does not apply to this exchange. Other matters relating to the stay, such as arranging replacements, are the responsibility of your department. Any other accommodation costs need to be paid by the individual.

• UC Law San Francisco | (Formerly UC Hastings) (uclawsf.edu)

Asia

Many of our Asian partners (and especially those in Indonesia and China) provide an intensive course lasting approximately two weeks. This is a unique opportunity to discover another country, education system and foreign colleagues. The host university usually pays for accommodation. Both the courses and duration are coordinated with the host university.

Experiences of previous participants:

• Esther Kentin Lost in Shanghai? Experiences of an exchange lecturer 
• Eduard Fosch Villaronga A Summer at Shandong University
• Rex Arendse Intensive Course on Tax Law, Gadjah Mada University and Leiden University

South America

A staff exchange is also possible within South America. Our partner Diego Portales University (Santiago, Chile) offers various opportunities for staff mobility – especially in the summer months.

• Diego Portales University – Santiago, Chile (udp.cl)

Incoming staff mobility

Of course, we are more than happy to receive staff from our international partners. You can request financing for staff mobility via your home university. There are also a number of visiting scholar programmes offered within the faculty. For more information, see Visiting Researchers.

Arrange your exchange

Once you have discussed your plans with your supervisor, contact Anette van Sandwijk by sending an email to a.m.m.van.sandwijk@law.leidenuniv.nl. Please specify your plans (staff training or teaching a course) and which university you would like to go to. The Office for International Education will then contact the partner university and discuss the options.