From Washington to Vienna, internships and work integrated learning opportunities are opening around the world for Flinders University students.
Among the latest opportunity is are new two-month law student placements in the East Asian country of Mongolia, the parliamentary democracy wedged between Russia and China.
Juris Doctor law student Brett Maryniak - the first student on the new Mongolian program supported by the Law Foundation of South Australia - is working for the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Mongolia. Bachelor of Law and Legal Practice students Monica Domaracki and Marielle Intveld will start internships in the new year. Monica's attachment is with the Supreme Court of Mongolia.
"This internship has deepened my interest in international human rights law, highlighting the practical value of institutions like the UN and National Human Rights Institutions," says Brett.
"My arrival coincided with the UN's 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, allowing me to explore the intersection of technology, privacy rights, and tech-facilitated gender-based violence while working with the Commission's Personal Data Protection team.
"The Commission has also supported my external goals, providing me with the flexibility to pursue my interests. With this support, I've built strong networks with the Australian Ambassador, Embassy staff, UN representatives, and members of the Great State Khural (Parliament).
"This experience has not only expanded my professional skills and networks but also reinforced my commitment to advancing human rights on a global scale. I am inspired by the meaningful impact of collaborative efforts in this field and look forward to applying these lessons to my future studies and career."
Mr Maryniak, who also studied political science and criminology and works in renewable energy in Australia, has already met Australia's Ambassador to Mongolia Katie Smith, and the Mongolian Human Rights Commissioner Dr Nara Ganbat, who has helped to establish the new exchange relationship with Flinders University.
Flinders University senior law lecturer, Dr Sanzhuan (Sandra) Guo, met and worked with Dr Ganbat when she previously conducted research on national human rights institutions in Mongolia. Dr Guo and Dr Ganbat have recently completed an Australia Awards Fellowship program providing executive training to 15 Mongolian human rights experts.
Dr Guo, a Senior Lecturer in Law and Socio Legal Studies in the College of Business, Government and Law, says the Flinders law students will have opportunities to work with National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia, the Supreme Court of Mongolia, and the Constitutional Court of Mongolia.
"These placements will provide students with the chance to add depth and context to theoretical studies in international law and human rights law by being given an opportunity to undertake practical work in the human rights arena in a developing country," says Dr Guo.
Professor Tania Leiman, Dean of Law, says Flinders University's US Washington Internship Program, Fulbright scholarships and, most recently, Vienna Space Internships in Europe are opening doors for professional development and exciting life experiences around the world.
"The next group of Flinders University students will be heading to Washington DC to spend eight weeks interning in the office of a Member of Congress on Capitol Hill," says Professor Leiman.
"These students will be fortunate enough to be in Washington during the inauguration of the new American President and will witness first-hand the first steps of the new administration."
