Overseas Externships
Overview
Students learn about the functioning of lawyers in an international legal environment through practical experience in international courts or tribunals, law offices, government entities, NGOs, and commercial entities outside of the United States. Student's work experience is critically examined utilizing guided reflections directed by the course instructor. Students work under the direct supervision of a licensed lawyer in the country of the externship.
Qualified students may earn up to 12 units of credit during a single semester, earning 1 unit of academic credit for every 50 hours of fieldwork.
Possible Externship Placements
The Center for Global Law & Policy has placed law students at the following locations:
Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia
Inter-American Court of Human Rights
International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia
International Labor Organization
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights
Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative
Supreme Court for the Northern Mariana Islands
For more information about these possible placements and other opportunities, please contact the Center for Global Law & Policy.
The above list of organizations is merely illustrative. Students who would like to arrange a semester externship with another organization should consult with the Director of the Center for Global Law & Policy. Other possible internship locations include: law offices, government entities, NGOs, and commercial entities.
How to Apply
In addition to acceptance by the relevant employer, the Center for Global Law & Policy determines whether a student is suited for placement in a particular internship. Factors such as a student’s academic record, record of reliability and accountability, and competence to fulfill the obligations of the internship placement are considered in making a determination.
- Complete the application form and memorandum of understanding.
- Get approval signature on application from the Center for Global Law & Policy (located in Bannan Hall, Suite 301).
- Turn in the completed application form & memorandum of understanding to Student Services (located in Bannan Hall, Suite 210).
- Students interested in obtaining academic credit for international externships must apply to and be accepted by the relevant organization. Please refer to the organization’s website for rules regarding eligibility, application procedures, and deadlines.
- Turn in informed consent form and a copy of your passport to the Center for Global Law & Policy.
- Register with Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
Deadlines
Some organizations make decisions about internships almost one year before the actual placement. Others make decisions less than one month in advance. Students interested in a particular organization are encouraged to do their research well in advance to avoid missing a deadline for that organization. The deadlines listed below are for processing within CGLP. Students may have to satisfy earlier deadlines for particular organizations.
Fall Externship: Application and MOU due February 1
Spring Externship: Application and MOU due July 1
Requirements During Externship
- During the course of the externship students will be required to report to an externship supervisor at Santa Clara University and engage in a process of guided reflections.
- Students are required to maintain time records, reviewed and certified by the externship supervisor, reflecting the student's time spent in the placement. All units are granted as CR/NCs.
- To receive academic credit for the placement, the student must be supervised by an attorney.
More Information
For further information, please contact:
Vinita Bali
Managing Director
Center for Global Law & Policy
Bannan 301M
Tel: 408-554-4478
Fax: 408-554-5047
E-mail: vbali@scu.edu
