Law & Human Rights Internships Abroad

Get the professional development and skills you need to drive your studies or career forward with a Projects Abroad international law internship or human rights programme.

With us, you can take your career development to an international stage. Our global internships help you:

Get unparalleled insight into legal practices, human rights issues, and social challenges
Learn directly from experienced lawyers and human rights professionals
Add practical, real-world work experience to your CV
Decide if pursuing your passion for law or human rights is the right career path for you

In developed countries, we often take our human rights and access to legal advice for granted. But there are people around the world whose voices aren’t heard and whose causes aren’t championed. We connect interns like you with organisations in developing countries who work tirelessly to change this.

On our Law Internships Abroad, you can:

Help provide legal aid to people who really need it
Work in a local law firm or NGO
Choose to specialise in areas like corporate law

On our Human Rights Internships Abroad, you can:

Help protect human rights and campaign for change
Work with organisations like charities or NGOs
Choose to specialise in areas like human rights law or social justice campaigns

Our projects are flexible and safe, and placements can be adjusted to your level of experience. This makes them ideal for undergraduates, graduates, and professionals! We also have programmes for teenagers interested in getting law and human rights work experience.

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

We’d be happy to talk about creating a custom project for you. Most of our staff have been volunteers themselves, so they’re well placed to answer your questions, big or small.

01273 007 230

Request Info

Is a Human Rights or Legal Internship Abroad right for me?

Our legal internships and human rights internships are open to people of all backgrounds and skill levels. To join a project, all you need to do is check that you meet the requirements, and fill in the application form. Our Project Experts are here to assist if you need help finding human rights or law volunteer opportunities that fit your goals.

Curious about whether this is a good match for you? If you tick one or more of the options below, then the answer is yes!

You’re interested in law placements for undergraduates
You’re asking yourself “Where should a first year law student intern?”
You’re eager to take on a human rights internship for undergraduates
You’re looking for an exciting twist on a law gap year programme
You’re a graduate or professional wanting legal volunteer opportunities

You can also join if you’re simply wanting to better understand legal, human rights and social issues in developing countries.

Adding international work experience to your CV will strengthen applications for school or jobs, and give you fascinating points to talk about in essays and interviews. It can also help you decide if you want to pursue a career in law or human rights.

You don’t need experience to join a law placement or human rights internship. You’ll be in a well-supported environment, working alongside professional lawyers, campaigners, and Projects Abroad staff. Your day-to-day tasks will see you doing things like, research, reviewing cases, and delivering presentations. You may also work on social justice campaigns to raise awareness of and create change around challenging issues.

Interested in something broader than a Law & Human Rights Internship? You may be interested in International Development Internships or Social Work Internships. Read our full list of internships abroad.

My project provided me with a much wider understanding of the challenges of running an NGO in a developing country, as well as some real perspective. - Laura M, Human Rights in Tanzania

Local women listen to a presentation about human rights on one of our Law internships abroad.

Summer Law Internships

Most of our Law & Human Rights Internships run throughout the year, so we can easily accommodate anyone looking for legal work experience in the summer. Flexi Trips are ideal for undergraduates interested in summer law internships, and our High School Special Projects offer internships at law firms for high school students.

Applying for a legal internship in the summer last minute? Read our blog about volunteering abroad on short notice, and what you need to consider.

What will I gain from a Law & Human Rights Internship?

A global internship gives you skills that prepare you for your next stage of education and career. You’ll also get unique international work experience that you can talk about at interviews.

Here are just some of the benefits that our previous interns talk about:

Soft skills like teamwork, communication, leadership, resilience, organising, planning, and time management.
Legal expertise in your chosen subject area.
The ability to work and empathise with people of different cultures and backgrounds, helping to develop a ‘global mindset’.
Confidence from pushing past your comfort zone.

All of the above will enhance your CV, UCAS applications, and your personal development.

I had the most amazing time in Argentina. I made memories that will last a lifetime. I met people who gave me perspective on my own life and my own direction. I felt inspired and challenged by the work I conducted and it has given me a new insight into my future career. The Human Rights Project is what you make of it and for any of you considering it; I would dive in head first and not look back. - Aoife F, Human Rights in Argentina

How are our Law & Human Rights Internships different?

At Projects Abroad, our first aim is to benefit the communities we work in. You can be assured that your internship is ethical and well supported. Here’s just a few elements of our work that set it apart from other internship programmes.

Be fully supported by staff

On our human rights and legal volunteer opportunities, you’ll work alongside professionals. You can observe them in their everyday work, ask questions, and hear more about their experiences. You’ll be given tasks that stretch and challenge you, but you’ll be supported to ensure you get real results. This is an incredible opportunity to learn through doing, while being mentored by experts.

Projects that have an impact

All our projects are well researched, targeted, and sustainable. We aim to make a difference to the local community for the long term. Your internship is an opportunity to genuinely make an impact on the lives of others.

I never expected the incredible opportunities that I was about to have while working at the Projects Abroad Human Rights Office (PAHRO). I learned more in my month of interning then I ever could have imagined. It was the first time in my life I felt like I was doing tangible work, and at the same time, I was actually touching the lives of people. - Emily D, Law & Human Rights in South Africa