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International Internship Experience on a Volunteer Law & Human Rights Placement
International Law & Human Rights internships with Projects Abroad give you the opportunity to change legislation and make a difference in other people’s lives. You can become part of a vital resource by providing legal services to businesses, community organizations, or individuals.
If you’re interested in a career in the notoriously competitive legal profession, an international law internship with a well-respected law firm abroad could be a valuable addition to your resume.
We have legal internships abroad in China, Ghana, Mongolia, South Africa, and Togo.
We offer a wide variety of internships abroad suitable for law graduates, law professionals wishing to take a career break, law students (during their vacation period) and people who have completed a law conversion course.
In some destinations, we also have internships for pre-university students thinking of joining the legal profession and people with no formal law experience who have good communication skills and a desire to work in the field of human rights.
These international law internships with Projects Abroad enable you to gain a unique insight into day-to-day legal practice and the rules of law while working in well-respected legal organizations in Africa or Asia.
Please let us know if you have any preferences so we can match you to the most appropriate placement.
Interning Abroad on an International Law Internship
"I guess I expected an Africa that you see on the TV. Once you get there you find everyone is as individual as in the west, but so much more open to ideas, and you begin to see your own way of seeing things as narrow. Once you have an open mind, everything fits into place." Anne-Marie Wortley, Law Volunteer in Ghana
There are so many different opportunities on our legal internships abroad that each experience is truly unique. Before you embark on one of our law internships you should know that you will be entering a professional working environment. You’ll have plenty of deadlines and responsibilities. Based with a well-respected legal organization, you’ll be expected to represent the firm in the same way that any other employee would.
Typically your work will involve several elements. Certainly we will find an internship that suits your specific areas of legal interest.
You could be attending court sessions regularly and you may be asked to monitor and report on proceedings. You’ll probably be involved in all kinds of law-related activities, such as undertaking research, report-writing, visiting rural clients, giving presentations in schools or other community groups, or even making good use of the local media!
"In Shanghai there was a real sense of comradeship, when a new volunteer arrived we would make sure one of us was there to met him/her at the flat and then we would make sure we made them feel at ease. That is one of the best things about doing a Projects Abroad project, the chance to forge long and lasting friendships." Tom Henry, Law Volunteer in China
Although some of the projects are only open to people with law experience, even if you are just a willing volunteer on one of the Ghanaian or South African programs you’ll do much more than push papers. All of our legal internships abroad are demanding and must be taken seriously. You’re likely to be working normal office hours and you will be welcomed as a valued part of the team.
Experiences on a Projects Abroad Law Internship
We will take into account your specific areas of legal interest when we find you an internship abroad. In China, volunteers have worked in banking law, mergers, acquisitions, corporate intellectual property, taxation and insolvency.
In Ghana, we offer business and commercial law as well as a huge – and expanding – human rights program. Your work might involve educating sex workers or taxi drivers about their rights, monitoring an election procedure or looking at police reform.
Although your experiences will be unique, sometimes there’s nothing better than reading about how other people have benefited from their law internship abroad. To help you give you a better idea of what you may do overseas, here are some more testimonials:
"China is an exciting and amazing place. The people, the culture, everything. Projects Abroad is the only way to do what I have done. I really appreciated the support of your team in Shanghai." Juliet Raine, Law Volunteer in China
"My accommodation was brilliant - much better than expected, and Shanghai was as brilliant. Projects Abroad was excellent for me. You sorted out any problems, proved to be flexible and understanding and brought the volunteers together. I would definitely recommend Projects Abroad!
"The time I had in China really opened my mind to other cultures and other ways of life. But it was not all about this, it was also about making friends and having a completely awesome time!"
Tom Henry, Law Volunteer in China
"I was asked to write a comparative essay on a topic of Ghanaian law and how it contrasted with Scottish Law. Mr Laryea (my Ghanaian supervisor) found this really interesting. I also helped them in a practical ‘hands-on’ way as well, for day to day tasks….I went with very little expectations, and was still blown away at how different it was! I’ll never be able to explain it, you have to do it for yourself." Kirsty Gourlay, Law Volunteer in Ghana
"… At The British Council - The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative – I was truly made to feel that being a law student from England was of real value… I got involved in looking into Human Rights abuses… interviewing witnesses and documenting their testimonies, and researching material for the state of prison conditions in Ghana. I was also able to attend Human Rights conferences; among the attendees being the Presidential advisor on HIV/AIDS and met parliamentarians to discuss the state of family-planning services across Ghana.
"Projects Abroad responded to the interests I had explained pre-departure and placed me with an organisation that truly furthered my interests in Human Rights law.
"The day-to-day experiences of being in Accra and the work I was doing certainly encouraged me to become more adventurous than I would have imagined. By my final week I was keen to explore more of Ghana and made a three-day trip to the north of the country to Tamale, and then on-to Mole National Park (to see the elephants!). I would advise any volunteer to make the trip.
"My advice to any new volunteer would be - Go for at least three months - five weeks was just not enough!
Danica Mullarkey, Human Rights Volunteer in Ghana
Click here to read full testimonials from others who have joined international law internships with Projects Abroad.