Life skills and career tips for Canada's lawyers in training
Issue link: https://digital.canadianlawyermag.com/i/50905
students can fi nd internships, exchanges, and volunteer opportunities abroad. "Stu- dents have a real hunger to be involved," says Rock. "Th ey realize that environmen- tal issues, health issues, and the rule of law are universal problems." Rock's love for international law stems from a successful political career. As the former federal justice and health minister as well as UN ambassador for Canada, he worked on multiple global issues ranging from the SARS outbreak to trade talks with the European Union. "Canadians generally have a deep commitment to the global community," says Rock. "When I worked at the UN, it was an intense edu- cation in global aff airs. I learned the Ca- nadian mindset to accommodate diff erent cultures in our society helps us to deal with the challenges we face in the world." For the intense experience, students can combine the internship and stu- dent exchange. Kamila Polus' European adventure began as an intern for the International Labour Organization in Geneva, Switzerland during the sum- mer and ended with a student exchange at Stockholm University in Sweden during her third year at the University of Western Ontario. Her work with the ILO helped her gain an articling posi- tion with Watson Jacobs McCreary LLP in Toronto, a fi rm specializing in labour law. "I wanted to do something fun and exciting," says Polus. "Spending nine months in Europe meant being exposed to civil law and having to moot with a group of international students. I didn't plan to work overseas aſt er my second year of law school but in hindsight it was the right decision." Th ere are also programs that give more than just a summer's taste of internation- al legal work. Th e Canadian Bar Associa- tion's Young Lawyers International Pro- gram off ers an eight-month internship for graduates who recently completed their articling year. Living and accom- modation expenses are paid for as interns work with non-governmental organiza- tions in the developing world. Elizabeth Campbell, a member of the international development committee, says the pro- gram helps young lawyers "get their foot in the door" of international law. "It's a good testing ground to see if working abroad is right for you," she says. Perhaps the only drawback to such far-fl ung internships is the lack of fi nan- cial compensation. International place- ments, including CLA internships, off er little or no pay. Students usually have to fundraise or gain fi nancial support from their universities to cover expenses. And if you have the fi nancial where- withal and the good grades to get into such programs, be sure to also show up with a good dose of courage and an open mind. Th is attitude helped Hop- kins in Bangladesh and in her recent training on international confl ict pre- vention and resolution at Johns Hop- kins University in Baltimore, Md. "Put yourself out there," says Hopkins. "I was in a place with lots of people and some- times felt uncomfortable but I was open to new experiences. Any time you do that, you get the benefi t." ■ Untitled-3 1 C ANADIAN Lawyer 4STUDENTS F ALL 2010 11 2/23/10 2:46:24 PM