1Ls: Why You Should Do A Service Internship Abroad

Projects Abroad is looking for 1Ls to volunteer for a law & human rights internship in Cape Town, South Africa, this coming summer.

Projects Abroad is looking for 1Ls to volunteer on a Law & Human Rights internship in Cape Town, South Africa, during summer 2015.

With its chilling and recent history of apartheid and colonialism, South Africa is a critical place to work for human rights advocacy.

“Projects Abroad runs a legal clinic serving marginalized and underprivileged members of society who do not know their rights,” says Maria Mulindi, Attorney and Program Manager. “We also conduct free legal clinics in disadvantaged communities for those who are unable to come to our office.”

“Our interns are involved in the pre-litigation stage, when we determine whether a person has a viable claim in law. We conduct moots based on local criminal cases, point out weaknesses in arguments, draft affidavits, and help write legal opinions. Sometimes interns also accompany the supervising attorney to court or to a refugee appeal hearing.”

“We need 1L volunteers who are ready to do the research and apply their findings to our cases.”

Former volunteer Emily D. explains, “I learned more in my month of interning at the Projects Abroad Human Rights office than I ever could have imagined. It was the first time in my life when I felt like I was doing tangible work, and at the same time, I was actually touching the lives of people.”


Projects Abroad’s Mission is to promote respect for human rights and human dignity by providing quality, independent legal advice to the poor and vulnerable while participating in social justice. Learn more at projects-abroad.org.