10 reasons why to choose human rights internships abroad
Are you considering entering a career in human rights? This is 10 reasons why you should explore our human rights internships.
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Looking to gain some work experience in the human rights or social justice field? These human rights internships focus on a wide range of social development issues including female empowerment, skill development, refugee issues, human rights, and human resources. A human rights internship contributes to a unique opportunity to work actively toward creating a more equitable and just society. It’s a chance to blend your passion for human rights with your determination to make a positive impact on the lives of marginalized populations and advocate for social justice.
Though applications are open to anyone, these internships are particularly suitable for students of sociology, psychology, international development, human rights law, international law, or related fields. By joining a human rights internship abroad, you’ll gain valuable work experience at a grassroots level – and you’ll get to spend some time in a new country!
Why choose Roots Interns for Human Rights Internships?
Grassroots work
You’ll join an organization that works directly with their community to solve problems on the ground and make a real impact.
Matchmaking
We’ll help you find and prepare for an internship with the organization that’s right for you and your skills, background, and passions.
Academic Placements
Working abroad is an experience like no other and your internship will be tailored to your studies and interests.
Browse All Human Rights Internship Projects
Customized Internship in Europe
- Min. 4 weeks
- Croatia, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain
- Social-Environmental Impact, Tailor-Made, Nonprofit Development
Design a tailor-made internship experience that aligns with your professional and personal goals while furthering the mission of a nonprofit in Europe.
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Shelter & Support For Migrants Internship in Spain
- Min. 12 weeks
- Barcelona, Spain
- Internships, Summer internships, Gap year internships
Make an impact helping offer activities designed to support and uplift young migrants
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Communications Internship with Refugee NGO
- Min. 12 weeks
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Communications, social media, digital marketing, writing
Manage and develop communication channels for a refugee-focused nonprofit.
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Migrants & Refugee Charity Internship
- Min. 12 weeks
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Refugees and Migrants, Human Rights
Be part of the day-to-day running and development of programs that assist refugees.
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Refugee Research Internship
- Min. 20 weeks
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Human Rights, Research, Refugees and Migrants
Research issues of the migratory phenomenon across Africa and gather valuable insights.
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Female Empowerment Internship
- Min. 5 months
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Business development, communication, coordination
Gain work experience while supporting female refugees through skill development workshops.
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Empowerment of Refugees Internship
- Min. 5 months
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Refugees and Migrants, Skills Development, Social Welfare
Help migrants and refugees settle in South Africa socially and/or economically.
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Advocacy & Human Rights Internship
- Min. 5 months
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Human Rights, Refugee Law, Migration Issues
Gain valuable legal experience while offering refugees in Cape Town support and advice.
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Other Academic Focus Areas
Benefits of Human Rights Internships
Community Connections
Human rights internships will enable you to contribute to the empowerment of marginalized communities and individuals. You’ll get the chance to see the tangible result of your efforts on people’s lives while getting the opportunities to build lasting relationships.
Personal Growth
As an intern, you’ll develop your ability to work in new environments, pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone which improves qualities such as resilience, leadership, and adaptability.
Resume Engagement
A human rights internship showcases your commitment to social justice and human rights, allowing you to stand out among the crowd and bring unique experiences to interviews and networking events.
Personal Network
Connect with various professionals, experts, and activists in the human rights sector, enabling you to expand your professional network and potentially future job opportunities.
Make an Impact
Human rights internships allow you to engage in work that aligns with your passion for global equality and accessibility, justice, and social change. This makes your efforts and daily work personally rewarding while making a difference.
Gain Insight
See first-hand what it’s like to work in this field. You’ll get a look into the behind-the-scenes of these initiatives and learn the daily commitment it takes to make sustainable progress.
Why Choose Roots Internships in Human Rights
Find out from our previous interns how internship positions in Human Rights can boost your professional career and grow your interpersonal skills.
This internship has been unforgettable and has played a large role in my professional development. The people I worked with are passionate about supporting students and are driven to achieve the most positive outcomes for our recipients. I helped teach Digital Literacy training and prepare migrant/refugee students for specialized degree programs along with assisting with employment access and professional development of students who have completed their degrees. I gained a lot of experience and knowledge from my work here which is something I would not have learned from a classroom setting. I plan to continue working in the non-profit sector in my career. This internship showed me the background of how organizations are run and the kind of admin needed for success.
Prajna, George Washington University, South African – Migrant and Refugee Charity Internship, South Africa
Nothing beats the feeling of knowing that my work has an actual impact. Giving to others really does give one so much more than taking. At the helpdesk of the Employment Access Program, I created resumes and completed job applications for clients. I also assisted with various administration duties and the Digital Literacy training, where I got to teach and engage with learners. The biggest fulfillment is to know that someone found a job and can stay in the country because I found a placement for them and guided them along the way.
Bailey, Brigham Young University, American – Refugee Empowerment Internship, South Africa
Even though I worked behind a computer most of the days, I loved what I did during my internship. I was finally able to use the skills I had gained during my studies to do something important, and I was developing myself in the process as well. I learned many new things that I know will come in handy in all aspects of adult life. Furthermore, I gained valuable experience in both research as well as in working with an NGO. My tasks included working on the Atlas of Migration, which is an online platform and I wrote an article about the differences between refugee camps and refugee formal settlement. I worked a lot on social media platforms and with general communications and sometimes at the English school in registration and certain ‘fun’ events that they organized. Always being busy with different tasks was interesting and allowed me to learn various new skills and made the whole experience very rewarding. I was in Cape Town for five months, and it was one of the best times of my life. I learned so many new things, and made many great friends for life! I definitely recommend doing an internship with Roots, as you’ll be guaranteed to have a good time and add an interesting experience to your resume!
Lola, Maastricht University, Dutch – Refugee Research Internship, South Africa
Blogs about Human Rights
NGO Internship in Cape Town: My Time in South Africa
NGO Internship in Cape Town: My Time in South Africa
Lola found the perfect internship after finishing her university degrees. As a research intern, she gained valuable work experience in the nonprofit sector.
Six Months in Cape Town as an Advocacy and Human Rights Volunteer
Six Months in Cape Town as an Advocacy and Human Rights Volunteer
Interested in protecting the rights of refugees and migrants? Read Emiel's blog post who spent six months in Cape Town as an Advocacy volunteer.
Human Rights FAQs
How experienced do I need to be to join a human rights Internship?
It depends on the specific internship program; some require more experience than others, and others are more flexible. We’ll make sure you are the right candidate for the internship you want to join, so that you have an experience that meets your internship goals. We are happy to work with you to find the ideal match, so get in touch with us at internship[at]rootsinterns.com and share some details about what you’re looking for!
What can I expect to learn as a Human Rights Intern?
Be prepared to learn a lot! No matter which internship you choose, you’ll have the opportunity to work with a reputable organization that has years’ worth of experience in human rights. The more you are open to taking on, the more you will learn! And the learning doesn’t stop there; if you choose a human rights internship abroad, you’ll also get a chance to learn about a different country and unique culture. Regardless of your destination, you’ll push yourself daily by learning what it’s like to join a team and project. The possibilities for growth are endless!
How will a Human Rights Internship help my career?
As a human rights intern, you’ll be able to see how a nonprofit organization is operated. You will work alongside team members from around the world and professionals who have been in the human rights sector for years. Each organization we partner with has a wealth of resources that are available to their interns. Besides gaining experience in human rights, you’ll also be gaining international work experience, resume and cover letter content, and exposure to a new culture. This is a bonus that comes along with choosing Roots Interns!
How do I apply for aHuman Rights Internship?
If you’re ready to apply for any of these human rights internships, here’s what to do;
- If you know which internship (or organization) you’d like to apply for, fill out the application form, and send your CV to internship[at]rootsinterns.com. If you’re interested in various internships, or you’re not sure which one would suit you best, you can send us an email and we’ll help you narrow down which opportunity is right for you.
- We’ll set up a short virtual call to discuss your application, find out more about you and what you’re hoping to get out of the internship experience, and we’ll answer any questions you may have.
- We’ll then pass your application on to the person who would be your supervisor on the project. If he/she thinks it might be a good match, there will be a second interview, which will go into more detail about the tasks.
- If everyone feels it’s a match, you’ll get an internship offer, and if you accept it, we’ll start the process of organizing your internship!
HOW TO APPLY
If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:
APPLY
Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV to us.
SPEAK WITH AN ADVISOR
We’ll set up a call with you to go through your application.
INTERNSHIP MATCHING
If we feel it’s a good match, we’ll set up a call between you and the supervisor for this internship.
PAYMENT
If everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit, getting started with the booking process and all the info you need.
CONFIRMATION
Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.
NEED TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY FIRST?
Or if you’d just like to ask us some questions about this internship first, just fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!
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