Opportunities to pursue international work and study are integral parts of Harvard Law School’s identity. Students can pursue numerous avenues to study international law, and explore it more deeply by doing an internship during the summer, or spending a semester abroad. Read about Peter Nash Stavros, a 3L, who spent this past fall semester at the University of Geneva and also spent his past two summers working abroad. Peter offers a glimpse into how one can build up international credentials and explore a wide array of work types while doing so.
Two Summers Abroad: The ICC and UNICEF Jordan Country Office
Peter Nash Stavros, a 3L, spent his recent fall semester at the University of Geneva and also spent the past two summers abroad. He worked at the Investigations Division at the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court during his 1L summer and the Children Protection Section of UNICEF’s Jordan Country Office during his 2L summer. During his time at HLS, Peter has also worked for UNHCR in D.C. and Earthjustice in San Francisco. These experiences combined have helped him narrow his field of interest to international refugee and migration law in the MENA region.
What type of work did you do at the ICC and UNICEF, and how would you compare the two experiences?
At the ICC, my work involved the systemization of facts into analysis and coherent legal arguments intended to support the Prosecutorial Division. The ICC was a great experience, but going back, I would have split my time between the Prosecutorial and Investigations divisions. At UNICEF, I investigated human rights violations and documented related protection concerns. Most of my time was spent in the field conducting interviews at Azraq and Za’atari refugee camps. Being around a passionate and diverse group of people both times was incredibly rewarding.
How did you go about securing these positions?
The application for my ICC internship was due in early November, so I started the process in the beginning of the fall semester. I recommend speaking with Professor Alex Whiting, the expert on international criminal law. UNICEF was trickier. I utilized HELIOS and Google to obtain the contact information of specific individuals working in organizations based in the MENA region. During Christmas break, I began sending out concise e-mails with an updated resume, making it clear that I was seeking an unpaid position. This was helpful because conscientious recipients often forward your e-mail to their colleagues, and your resume can reach an office that needs you. Given the importance of networking, I recommend speaking to professors and offices like OPIA and the International Legal Studies, as well as Wasserstein Fellows and upper year students who can connect you to employers and other helpful contacts. I secured both of these positions around mid-February.
As a recipient of the Chayes and Human Rights Program fellowships, can you shed some light on how fellowship application deadlines fit into the job search timeline?
Students interested in public interest work will often need to reconcile separate timelines. There is one unified application for both the Chayes and HRP fellowships. In both years, I submitted this application well before securing a job, and I kept the staff at the ILS informed of my job search process.
Do you have any additional advice?
Be mindful of the international timeline. Many organizations will not begin looking at applications until January, and you will continue to receive interview invitations and job offers well into the spring. I recommend that you stay patient and not panic, as if you end up committing to a domestic job that you aren’t very interested in, you may miss out on some amazing opportunities. Also note that the following attributes are generally valued in international public interest work – language skills, substantive travel experience, related professional experience, and a commitment to public interest.
Written by OPIA 1L Section Rep Ha Ryong Jung (Michael)
