Benefits of Participating in an International Law Internship
The Faculty of Law’s International Law Internship Program (ILIP) offers students an unparalleled opportunity to gain practical experience in international law. By interning with government departments, international organizations, non-government organisations and private industries, our students broaden their understanding of different legal systems, strengthen their legal skills, and gain valuable insight into the application of law that remains valuable throughout their careers.
“It was a tremendous opportunity. I was able to clerk with an appellate court before graduating, and to consider legal issues which will never come before Canadian courts. The place, people, and work itself were all memorable.”
Jonathan J. Weisman (Caribbean Court of Justice – 2006)
A National Law School with an International Outlook
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, events taking place beyond Canada’s borders have a profound impact on our lives. The legal challenges facing Canada today often have an international dimension. Participating in an ILIP internship affords students the opportunity to tackle some of these issues first hand. ILIP interns have been exposed to legal challenges surrounding world health, international finance, international humanitarian law, and a myriad of other pertinent issues that concern Canadians and the rest of the world.
"…this internship was a phenomenal experience that combined law, international relations, and national policy. I really enjoyed looking at the Canadian perspective of international issues which arose at the United Nations to see how potential negotiations, declarations and resolutions would affect our country and how our country could affect the outcome of an international issue.”
Danielle Koehn (Canadian Permanent Mission to the United Nation – 2010)
A Rewarding Experience
Interested in an aspect of international law? Wondering how international organizations contribute to international law? Want to see how other nations perceive and incorporate international law? An ILIP internship can offer experience and a way to see what it is actually like working in an area of international law. An ILIP internship will not only provide exposure and experience, it will provide a very, very interesting line (or two) on your resume and may well provide you with professional references and a strong network of contacts.
An ILIP internship will enhance your knowledge and help develop legal analysis skills you never knew you had! Imagine interning at the Canadian Permanent Mission to the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the International Labour Organization, or the World Bank Inspection Panel. Imagine living in Washington, Geneva, Port of Spain, London, or Ottawa. An ILIP internship gives you that opportunity and along the way you’ll experience a summer that will change your life.
“During my internship, I learned not only how the WHO operates, but also how the UN system functions as a whole and how different agencies work together to bring about change. The opportunity to attend so many UN sessions was particularly valuable, and is not something I likely would have ever been able to experience without this internship. I was able to contribute to a World Health Assembly draft resolution that will be the first of its kind, and learned a great deal from my colleagues, who were all extremely intelligent and accomplished. This experience was definitely an advantage during the articling recruitment, and all in all was a really incredible experience.”
Melody Jahanzadeh (World Health Organization – 2011)
To see how an ILIP internship is useful in helping to develop your practical skills, read about what some of our graduates say.
Change the way you think: The benefits of perspective
Participating in an ILIP internship allows students to better understand the differences in culture and values that shape different legal systems. ILIP interns gain valuable knowledge of international legal issues and are challenged to develop their legal writing and research skills. Interns are able to utilize their problem identification and analysis skills and bring a Canadian perspective to international problems while learning distinctive methods of problem solving themselves. International issues challenge the way we think about the law – participating in an ILIP internship will help students use the law to think about international issues!
“…it was very fulfilling to be in a workplace full of colleagues who were all extremely passionate about the end goal of their work. I was able to meet likeminded people from all around the world and engage them in meaningful and enriching discussions. I was also exposed to views about important international issues that I might not have otherwise been privy to. My time at the ILO cemented my interest in labour law, and I am now confident that this is the area of practice that I wish to pursue.”
Kamila Polus (International Labour Organization – 2009)
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