Report on the Internship at the United Nations - International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia
By: Sanja Popovic
Contact:
Application Process: How to get the Internship
Applications are due approximately six months before your intended start date. Make sure that you stick to the six-month deadline; late applications are not looked at favourably.
Start Date:
Your start date is quite flexible – meaning you get to decide when you would like to start and finish. Most placements have a minimum requirement of three months. Keep in mind, the longer you stay the more exciting work you will get. Also, those who decide to stay longer have a better chance of landing an internship. Needless to say, those who stay longer will also build better relationships and increase their chances of getting hired back at the United Nations. The start date you choose may also effect whether you get the internship position – for example, if you apply during the “high season” (probably summer and possibly around January) you will be decreasing your chances because the level of applications at that point in time can be very high. Also keep in mind that the court has a recess period in August and in December and work can get quite slow during those months.
Choosing the Department
There are some departments, which are more competitive then others. I cannot really speak for every department, but practically speaking I assume departments that have more prestige (like working with the Judges) are more difficult to get. Some departments, like the one I worked for – Leadership Research Team are basically restricted to those who are fluent in BCS (Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian) and English. Try to look at the departments to see which ones would be of most interest to you, also explain in your letter that those choices are only a reflection of what you might be interested in and request them to forward your information to all the departments.
The Package
Once you start applying you will see that it takes a little while to prepare the package. You will need two reference letters, completion of the forms, transcripts, writing sample etc. It is advisable that you take time to prepare this package and to get all your references before the six-month deadline. They do not accept incomplete packages.
How to make sure you get the internship?
I really cannot answer that question because I am not sure which people were declined. I have heard that this is a very competitive place to intern at, so do not be disappointed if you are rejected. You should brush up on your knowledge of the region, try to make the paper you submit about the region and concentrate on expressing your real desire to intern at the United Nations. I have had great reference letters that outlined my “expertise” in the region. I am also from Yugoslavia, fluent in the language, have lived in the region, have interned in the region so I was probably quite desirable to them. However, most interns do not speak the language and come from all over the world. Also, if you intend to imply you can always contact me for more information.
For more information go to:
On the left hand column click on the “Internship Programme” heading
1.1Living in the Netherlands
Keep in mind that living in the Netherlands is quite expensive.
Finding Boarding
I paid 500 Euros for a small (very small) room in a larger apartment. I would not recommend you stay at the place I stayed at. The smartest way to find a place to live in which is both cheap and decent is to do it by going overseas and searching for it once you get there. However, I found that to be much too uncertain – I was worried about not finding a place, leaving my stuff in a hostel and so forth. If you are worried about similar things, you will be happy to know that the ICTY will send you a package with persons who rent rooms – you can contact these people from Canada before you leave and secure your stay.
Other Expenses:
I just found that in general, Holland is expensive. You can by fruit for cheaper at a market – but I never bothered with the hassle. The gyms are much more expensive then in Canada. Most interns work out at a place called Ceasers, but as you’ll see the facilities and the hours are inadequate (they don’t even have air conditioning).
Other:
Once accepted you will get a booklet “living in the Netherlands” which will provide you with various details: doctors, shopping, living, transportation and everything else.
Consider getting a bike – I did. It saves a lot of money and time. It’s quite practical.
Keep in mind that it rains in Holland all the time. The Hague is high up North so the August and July high is only 21 degrees. This means that there are a few days (while I was there maybe six in total) that are really sunny and hot (as hot as 30C). However, there are many days that are gloomy, rainy and cold – so bring appropriate clothes. Some summers have been really nice but this is not common. Also, I hear that winter is pretty brutal – its dark when you wake up and when you get home. Prepare yourself for this kind of weather and you should be fine. I expected it to be sunny and warm – seeing as it was the summer. Instead I found myself getting depressed because it was so rainy all the time. My living situation did not help these feelings very much, so take the necessary steps to ensure you are living somewhere were you can enjoy yourself and relax.
2.0Interning at the United Nations
2.1Description of the work completed
As I mentioned above, I am fluent in BCS, thus I was assigned to the Leadership Research Team. This is not where “legal” interns are usually placed at, so I was worried that I would not be doing a lot of legal work. Keep in mind, if you do want a strictly legal internship, you will have to wait until the last year of law school – otherwise you will probably get a “non-legal” internship.
With all honesty, I am not sure how the “legal” and the “non-legal” internship differ. I was very, very happy with my internship.
I worked at the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP), at the Leadership Research Team (LRT). I was assigned to work with Nena Tromp, on the Slobodan Milosevic case.
The LRT is the “Expert Team” at the OTP. They are made up of experts in the region. I shared an office with a Harvard graduate and a PhD Professor from UCLA. The entire office was filled with brilliant minds. It is quite humbling to work with them. Everyone is fluent in English and BCS. They are mostly academics that are extremely knowledgeable about the region.
I came at a time when Milosevic (the defence) was bringing in his witnesses. My job entailed analyzing the documents that the witnesses brought in for their examination. I would have to read the evidence, look at the patterns that developed from the evidence presented; observe inconsistencies (point them out); analyze and develop a possible strategic cross examination approach; and/or anything else that I can think of while analyzing the documents which would help the prosecution.
I also did various other things; sometimes I helped translate (when they were really stuck for a translator), I also read a few books and did a critical examination of them. There were a few times that I had to do photocopying – but when the new batch of interns came, I was relieved of any “boring” jobs.
2.2Problems Encountered &Suggestions - How to make the experience worthwhile for you
I did not really face any problems. I found the atmosphere really comfortable at the United Nations. People are really relaxed and friendly. However, as with any internship the problem most people face is boredom – not having things to do. I actually did not encounter very much of this. The fact I avoided this problem is probably because of my pro-active stance.
Once you are interning you MUST be pro-active. You will be assigned a supervisor and you will have a person assigning you work (that person will also have the same supervisor as you). If you are not getting work, you got to the person that ought to give you work and you ask them if there is anything you can do for them. Regardless of how silly your work may seem (ie: photocopy a book) do it and do it quickly and do it correctly. The first few weeks you are being tested. If you do work which can be appreciated you will be granted more meaningful work. However, I have heard that there were people who did very little or nothing for their entire time at the UN. Therefore, make sure you seek work every day, three times a day if necessary. If you find that after two weeks (of your constant harassment) you are not given anything to do - speak with your supervisor. However, only seek your supervisor’s help once your assignee has really failed to help you.
3.0Evaluation of the Host Organization
I loved my internship at the United Nations. I felt that they were very organized. They had my office equipment ready for me in days; I was doing work, and substantive work shortly after my arrival. They have lectures for interns, which are very informative and helpful. They treat interns with respect and value the contributions that the interns make. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about the United Nations and about my internship there. I HIGHLY recommend it! If I had to give a grade, of what I think my experience was like at the United Nations I would give a 10/10. If I had to grade my overall experience (meaning including living in Holland all the expenses and so forth) I would give it an 8/10.