Description

Our Law and Human Rights internships in Mongolia are based in the intriguing city of Ulaanbaatar, geographically the most remote capital in the world. Here you will live and work close to the city center, but your walk to the office will take you past a patchwork blanket of different habitations, large tower blocks, and tented 'Ger' districts. This law internship is unlike any other!

We work with a number of different organizations in law and human rights. These organizations operate in fields that are constantly developing as Mongolia changes to keep up with the rest of the world. Less than two decades ago the country was run by a government whose policies were very closely aligned to the Communist model. The legal framework in place was based on the former Soviet Union, but when that came to an end in 1990 so too did the old Mongolian system. Within two years, a new democratic state and constitution were established in Mongolia.

As one of the smaller world economies, and due to the vast area the country covers compared to its population, the Mongolian legal system was based on customary law and was initially rather slow to develop. In recent years, an increasingly outward-looking country is now bringing about fundamental changes and you have a chance to be involved in this process!

Both our Law and Human Rights internships in Mongolia will be a valuable addition to your resume in this notoriously competitive profession; it might just secure you that lucrative first job once you graduate. An internship with one of our partner organizations will give you some fantastic experiences to talk about in an interview.

Both Law and Human Rights interns should expect to work from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, with the option of working longer hours if they choose. All interns need to show a good level of initiative; all our Law and Human Rights internships are fast-paced, so interns who seek their own work, ask questions and make an impact on their supervisors will have a first class learning experience.

If you intern on our law project in Mongolia you will work for a company that deals with a wide range of clients in both economic and legal fields. You will be involved in many different aspects of the legal process; you may be interviewing people, writing legal opinions, researching cases, or doing contract work.

All law interns are expected to have some law experience. Most of our interns are part way through a law course or have completed their studies and are interested in gaining practical work experience in a law firm abroad.

* Interning on a Human Rights Internship in Mongolia

No previous experience or qualifications are required to take part on a Human Rights internship, all we ask is that you have an interest in the area, lots of enthusiasm and are willing to work hard. If you do have relevant experience, this will of course be very welcome and you may be asked to look at the structure of the organization, provide ideas on best practice and visit other offices outside of Ulaanbaatar.

Highlights

Mongolia is a unique and adventurous place to spend time on a volunteer program or internship. Mongolia is a large country - about a third the size of Europe sandwiched between Russia and China on the Asian Steppe. It's a country that conjures up images of far-off lands and a completely different pace of life. This image really is reality, in this land of Genghis Khan and wandering nomadic clans.

This is a destination for adventurers, with a history that encompasses Chinese dynasties and Soviet Communism. It's hard to imagine that this ancient state was once home to the people who ruled the largest empire the world has ever known - at one point stretching from Indonesia right over into Austria! The modern Mongolian is a descendant of Genghis Khan, a son or daughter of the Communist era and is living in a 21st century ancient state where Buddhist priests drive in Japanese jeeps across desert roads to their distant monasteries.

Its unhurried capital city, Ulaanbaatar, has many contrasts. Soviet-style high-rise blocks sit alongside traditional tents - known as gers - which are dotted around the city. Modern businesses thrive, while Mongolians walk the streets in traditional dress. Around a third of Mongolians belong to nomadic or semi-nomadic herding tribes, and away from the capital the lifestyle is much the same as it has been for centuries.

* Care and Community

There are spectacular sights across Mongolia from rugged and bio-diverse mountains to the wilderness of the Gobi Desert (famed for its dinosaur bones!). It's a land crammed with ancient history and culture, with beautiful monasteries and stunning archaeological finds.

Qualifications

Legal interns must have some law experience, no requirements for human rights interns.

Intern Types

• Human Rights
• Law

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Please go to our website for prices.

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Human Rights
• Law

Typical Volunteer

Anyone with an open mind and a desire to travel.

Age Range

16-80

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

10 days

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement

As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded

1992