Maria Reisdorf, Law’21, put her public international law training from the Castle into action during her summer internship with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in Jerusalem. It was incredible to see what I had learnt move from abstract concepts to real life work,” she says. “I truly understand how international law can be used to provide services and protect vulnerable people.”
Maria Reisdorf, Law’21, put her public international law training from the Castle into action during her summer internship with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in Jerusalem. It was incredible to see what I had learnt move from abstract concepts to real life work,” she says. “I truly understand how international law can be used to provide services and protect vulnerable people.”

After studying public international law at the Castle in May and June, Maria Reisdorf, Law’21, spent the rest of her summer applying her new knowledge at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Jerusalem. 

Working in the Department of Legal Affairs at UNRWA, which provides services to assist and protect over five million registered Palestine refugees, she contributed to international law research projects and to cases before the Agency’s internal dispute tribunal, among other things. And she did it with only one year of legal studies under her belt. 

“What I really loved about UNRWA was the ability to put in practice the skills I had learnt in 1L and at the Castle immediately,” she says. “I got to work on projects dealing with both international and domestic law, allowing for a nice mix of opportunities to learn.”

Reisdorf worked on assignments involving international treaties, researching the domestic laws of UNRWA’s five host states and how they apply to the unique UN framework, as well as UNRWA’s legal obligations regarding sexual misconduct and violence against children. 

“My internship allowed me to engage my interests in social justice, public service, and international law,” she says. “One of my favourite experiences was assisting on projects in French, such as translating labour laws of Jordan and Syria, and helping ensure the terms of a €2.6 million donation were compatible with the Agency’s regulatory framework. This experience has been an incredible learning opportunity.”

It also gave her the chance to hone critical practice skills. “I improved my legal research and written advocacy skills by working with both the general and international law teams to ensure the provision of services to Palestine refugees, immersing myself in a variety of legal areas at once,” she says. “I learnt more of the variety and breadth of work lawyers can do.” 

It’s her experiences in researching cases, drafting motions to the UN Tribunals on behalf of the Agency and analyzing Tribunal judgements that she feels “will be most valuable to the positions I’ve applied to for my 2L summer.” 

Another thing she “loved’ about her internship was the people – the lawyers, support staff and other interns. “I found it inspiring to work every day alongside people who truly cared about me as a person, my work and interests, and my career development,” she says. “I am so happy that I was able to build lifelong mentorships and friendships with the others in our office. I am thankful to them for making my first experience in law so incredible.” 

Before this summer, Reisdorf found it difficult to imagine how international law plays out in practice. But now for the first time, she says, “I truly understand how international law can be used to provide services and protect vulnerable people. Despite working in the legal field for the first time, I knew that I was able to handle my projects because of my training from the Castle. 

“I was able to apply the knowledge I absorbed at the Castle,” she emphasizes, “and it was incredible to see what I had learnt move from abstract concepts to real life work. This internship cemented my desire to pursue a career in international law.” 

So, what made her consider spending a summer immersed in the study and practice of international law? 

“I met Professor Ardi Imseis (Associate Academic Director of the International Law Programs at the Bader International Study Centre, Herstmonceux Castle, East Sussex, U.K.) in September of 1L and told him that I wanted to practice international human rights,” she says. “He immediately told me to consider the Castle and an internship afterward, but most importantly, he never doubted that this was a viable career option for me. I got in touch with some previous internship students and became very interested in working in refugee protection.” 

Reisdorf, who received financial support from the Dean’s Excellence Fund made possible by contributions of alumni and friends, was one of nine 2019 Castle students who earned academic credit interning abroad at a public interest organization during the summer. 

Professor Nicolas Lamp, Academic Director of the International Law Programs at the Castle, arranges for internship partners in the Canadian government, international organizations and non-governmental organizations.  

“We approach partners who work on international legal issues from a public interest perspective,” says Lamp. “The broad introduction to international law that the students receive at the Castle makes them very attractive for our internship partners.”

By Lisa Graham