Is it frowned upon to study abroad....

[hmmmNJ]

instead of getting an internship/job during your 1L summer? Will it affect my employment for 2L summer?

[rapunzel]

Frowned upon?  My OCI interviewers were interested in my trip.  Go for it you aren't likely to get a paying legal job 1L anyway, unless you are at a big school.  I did do 6 weeks of volunteer work as an intern for a judge the second half of my summer.  Which was actually more impressive to the employers.  But don't discount it as a possibility, when else will you have time for something fun like that in that next few years?

[NoelleMyBelle]

No, it's not frowned upon.  If you want to do it and can afford it, go!  It'll thrill interviewers to have something so interesting to talk about and you'll have the time of your life.  Law schools encourage it for a reason....take the opportunity while you have it.