Law Internship in Geneva, Switzerland

For the past six months, I have had the privilege of working as a Policy Assistant for the Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. In this role, I supported and advanced Australia’s interests at the international level by providing administrative, logistical, and legal research support across Australia’s United Nations portfolio, including human rights, global health, humanitarian affairs, and disarmament.

In this internship, I directly contributed to the decision-making process regarding Australia’s policy stance on the Myanmar resolution at the 55th Human Rights Council and led Australia’s engagement for the civilian firearms resolution at the 56th session of the Human Rights Council. This was an incredible experience, where I attended negotiations as a representative of Australia and coordinated our policy stance through communication with Canberra. Additionally, I delivered official statements on behalf of Australia at the 46th Universal Periodic Review and the 77th World Health Assembly.

My practical experience observing real-life negotiations between State parties and other stakeholders, such as civil society and non-governmental organizations, gave me valuable insight into the ‘behind the scenes’ of international law and diplomacy—an aspect not fully provided in academic studies. Through this, I developed technical knowledge in these areas while honing key professional skills, including communication, time management, and stakeholder management. Across the teams that I have assisted with, I particularly enjoyed the human rights and disarmament work. I discovered a passion for international human rights law, as it offers the opportunity to make a genuine impact on the world by advocating for the vulnerable. Being part of something bigger than myself was incredibly motivating.

This experience allowed me to meet incredible people from around the world, all while contributing to Australia’s foreign policy goals on the global stage. I enjoyed building friendships with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds, which expanded my horizons and enriched my understanding of the world beyond just Australia. Overall, this internship has been an extraordinary experience where I have gained valued memories for life. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity, and whole-heartedly recommend anyone who is interested in developing lifelong memories and growth to apply for a Global Short Program.

Katerina Chen
Bachelor of Business Bachelor of Laws
Faculty Led – UTS Approved International Internships – LAW
Switzerland
Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship

For more information about the UTS Global Short Program visit: www.uts.edu.au/thinkglobal