Description

Participating in a Work Experience Internship is a unique way to observe experts in your field and learn how they work in SRI LANKA. You'll have the opportunity to attend court in Sri Lanka, as well as helping to draft legal documents in the office. The experience you gain will be invaluable to you in the future and totally different to what you're used to in your home country.

The office where you'll work is situated in an amazing location right next to the Negombo fishing beach all the houses here are typical of Colonial Sri Lankan style, and the streets are lined with trees. It is very picturesque and brimming with atmosphere.

You'll work at a Lawyers firm situated in the middle of Negombo. The head Partner is also an acting magistrate in Negombo. The lawyers you will work alongside are very friendly and speak good English. The magistrate is often in the office also. The office is small but neat and professional with air conditioning, two main rooms and a staff of five local lawyers.

LOCATION:
Negombo has a great vibe about it: from the intense aroma of fish from the local market, to the sound of cawing crows and the sight of ladies taking rest in the shade along with the sleeping dogs. Negombo is a popular tourist resort and is the closest beach to Sri Lanka's international airport. This fishing village was very lucky and avoided the impact of last years tsunami with just a few hotels being damaged but no fatalities suffered.

The beach is beautiful with long stretches of orange sand, palm trees and some beach front hotels. A little further back and there are many boutiques selling Sri Lankan handicrafts, markets and the general hustle and bustle of Sri Lanka.

WORK CONTENT:
Although they speak Singhalese and Tamil in Sri Lanka, the official language of law is English. Most court hearings take place in English, as does all legal documentation. Much of your work in the office may involve proof reading and drawing on your native language skills.

You will become involved in the current cases and you will also have the chance to sit on the bench at local courts observing hearings and trials. There are three courts in Negombo - the Magistrates Court, the High Court and the District Court. The Magistrates Court is conducted in Sinhalese, but it is possible that you will work at both the District Court and the High Court (where murder trials take place) - both of which conduct the majority of their proceedings in English.These are both within 2 minutes walking distance of the office and situated practically right on the beach!

You'll work from approximately 08:30am to 4:00pm from Monday to Friday. Volunteers will live in Ja-Ela with all the other Travellers volunteers (doing teaching or conservation projects) and you will commute daily. Negombo is about 45 minutes from Ja-Ela.

Daily Schedule:
There is not a typical daily schedule as the placement is tailored around your interests. If you wish to spend the majority of the time at Court this will be possible, likewise, if you wish to spend the majority of time in the office this can be arranged. A guide of what should be expected is:

The office day starts around 8am and volunteers will get to go to the courts some days where they will sit on the bench and listen to the proceedings. You will only go to court when the proceedings take place in English. For 'court days' you will be in court from 9-10 am and then again from around 2-3:30pm with a break for lunch in between. You will then work in the office again until 4.00pm. On non court days you will stay in the office with the lawyers and help with writing deeds and day to day legal duties.

Exactly what your office work will involve will vary from day to day, case to case and volunteer to volunteer. You will be able to help out with everything that goes on in the office and you will gain an extraordinary insight into the operations of law in Sri Lanka - a first hand insight into international law.

Godfrey, the head partner of the firm is also the acting magistrate. This means he must attend post-mortems at the mortuary in cases where there is an ambiguous cause of death. If this is something you are interested in, you are welcome to attend (and please note, you do not have to attend - the lawyers in the practice are aware that some interns would find this distressing and would not wish to attend!) If you are interested, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to attend during your placement (as it is dependent on the number of post-mortems needed, which for obvious reasons, we hope are kept to a minimum!) but on average Godfrey attends the mortuary approximately once a month.

Highlights

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:

* An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into South East Asia and the Sri Lankan culture.
* New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
* An entry on your CV or resume that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market
* And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

WHAT TO DO NEXT:
Talk to us - We're there to help you. Most of our team are ex Travellers volunteers and are ideally qualified to offer advice and guidance because they know what you're looking for. They'll help you find your perfect project - and then make it all happen! If you'd like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us, tell us what type of project you're looking for, and we'll liaise with you and start making your travel adventure happen. It's as easy as that!

Qualifications

No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities. This placement would suit anyone who wants to make a real difference, wants first-hand experience of a different culture and has initiative.

Type of Programs

• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Cultural Exploration

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Full support from the moment of booking and throughout your placement to your return home. There are support staff 24/7 in all our destinations worldwide and a 24 hour emergency international telephone line direct to the Head Office. All meals are provided, unless otherwise stated. Accommodation is provided (whether a rented house, a hotel/hostel, homestay, apartment or flat).

You'll be met at the nearest airport on your arrival by our in-country manager who will take you to your accommodation and give you a full induction into the area. He/she will also be on call 24/7 and you'll see them frequently.

Pre-departure you'll receive comprehensive information about every aspect of your placement and necessary preparations, ranging from what to pack, to visa information, to what to do on your weekend travel in the country. Your safety, well being and happiness throughout your placement are our primary concerns and we will keep in touch with you throughout. International flights not included.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Law

Typical Volunteer

This placement would suit people who want to expand their professional and personal development, gain valuable work experience, want first-hand experience of a different culture and who have initiative. Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities.

Age Range

17 - 70+

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat
• Group living
• Independent living

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

within 5 working days

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Travellers Worldwide's Mission Statement

Travellers Worldwide organises all types of worthwhile and beneficial voluntary placements in local communities. We also provide Work Experience & Internship opportunities, as well as different types of Courses and study abroad options. We have many diverse projects, from teaching underprivileged or refugee children in schools, orphanages and care homes, to conservation and rehabilitation of endangered animals, such as orangutans, lion cubs, dolphins, elephants. Our aim is to make a difference to the communities we work in and to facilitate personal and professional growth in our volunteers. We employ local people in our destination countries and local providers of goods and services, thus ensuring we have a positive impact on the community. Our ethos encompasses mutual respect, cultural exchange, responsible travel and a beneficial outcome for all. Travellers also arranges work experience placements in Journalism, Law, Veterinary, Medicine, Tourism, Architecture, and many more. There are also opportunities to learn languages and other skills such as Capoeira in Brazil, Tango in Argentina or Flying in South Africa. These projects are unique - and tailored to suit you! Our placements are flexible (2 weeks to 1 year) and on most you can choose your own start and finish dates. No qualifications are required, just an enthusiasm to experience a new culture! Full support is provided within the country, with friendly and conscientious staff, ensuring a safe and exciting way to experience a brand new culture! Placements are also very sociable: you'll make friends with the other international volunteers and often volunteers travel together after their placement and during their free weekends. We help you to Make a Difference and have an exciting adventure travel experience!

Year Founded

1995