2010 Summer Internships
Interns
Jane Marsden – FIDA | Nairobi, Kenya
Jane is a second year law student at the University of Calgary. Before attending law school, Jane taught children with learning disabilities at a school in Vancouver, B.C. She holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Women’s Studies from the University of Victoria. At law school, Jane has enjoyed volunteering with Pro Bono Students Canada, working in the area of immigration law. Having previously worked in Tanzania, teaching English in a rural elementary school, Jane is excited to return to East Africa to work for FIDA-Kenya in Nairobi.
Chelsea Hishon – ECPAT | Bangkok, Thailand
Chelsea is currently completing her first year of law at the University of Windsor. After receiving an honours degree in Psychology and Sociology, she worked as a Child and Youth Worker with children diagnosed with behavioural and psychological disorders. Chelsea managed a children’s residence for two years before deciding to pursue law school to further her knowledge and ability in human rights advocacy. Chelsea has travelled extensively throughout the world and recently returned from teaching English in South Korea.
Andrew Christie – Hukumonline | Jakarta, Indonesia
Andrew is completing his second year of law school at the University of Ottawa. Committed to assisting his colleagues pursue public interest and social justice opportunities, Andrew helped organize a student round-table to better inform students of these opportunities as Co-President of the University of Ottawa Student Chapter of CLA-ACE. Prior to law school, Andrew completed an MSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science in International Political Econom. He previously obtained a Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management with a minor in Economics from Carleton University. Andrew looks forward to sharpening his legal skills while working with Hukumonline’s pro bono clinic.
Shamim Shakibaei – Hukumonline | Jakarta, Indonesia
Shamim Shakibaei is a second year law student at the University of New Brunswick. He obtained his first degree, a Bachelor of Science in Biology, from Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick. Currently, as part of his pro bono project, he is working with CPAWS New Brunswick to improve environmental laws in our provincial parks. He is also involved with the Environmental Law Society and French Law Society. His interests include photography, cooking, and dancing.
Alayna Kolodziechuk – WiLDAF | Ho, Ghana
Alayna is in her first year of law at Dalhousie University and she looks forward to diving into the wonderful opportunity provided by WiLDAF at their Ho, Ghana, office. Before moving to the lovely Halifax, Alayna studied Philosophy and History at McMaster University. She was very lucky to have access to courses in African human rights and is excited that she is going to take her academic experience to the field. Although she has never worked internationally on development projects before, Alayna is not new to the not-for-profit world. A founder of the organization CURE Canada (now Empowerment Squared), Alayna is experienced in grassroots campaigns, project development, and human rights. Alayna is a self-proclaimed theatre junkie and has fortunately been able to combine these two passions with projects such as the Laramie Project, ShAIDS of Grey, the One Act Project, Hamilton Speaks, and most recently, The Vagina Monologues.
Jessica Fletcher – WiLDAF | Takoradi, Ghana
Jessica is currently a first year law student at the University of British Columbia. Her goal is to pursue a career in international human rights law, particularly in the area of women’s rights. Currently, Jessica works for Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada, an organization that advocates for the protection of human rights defenders around the globe. In 2008, she completed an internship with the Canadian embassy in Washington, DC, in the Political Affairs division. Jessica’s commitment to community involvement has led her to volunteer with various organizations promoting access to legal aid, adult education and trade and human rights training for women and girls. Before pursuing law, Jessica left a career as a contemporary ballet dancer to pursue an undergraduate degree in political science and women’s studies. Jessica is thrilled to be spending her first trip to Ghana working with WiLDAF.
Annabel Busbridge – CEPIL | Accra, Ghana
Annabel completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and International Relations at the University of British Columbia. After working at an immigration law firm, she decided to pursue her legal studies at the Université de Montréal, specializing in international law. She taught French in China, completed a university exchange year in Lyon, France, and has travelled throughout Europe and the Middle East. Most of her experience in human rights has been through her travels and through her involvement with the McGill Middle East Program in Civil Society and Peace Building based in Montreal. Annabel is eager to experience her first overseas volunteer position in human rights. Annabel is passionate about promoting equality for all and is excited to further her legal and human rights knowledge during her internship with CEPIL. Read about Annabel’s adventures on her blog!
Sandrina Antohi – CEPIL | Accra, Ghana
Originally from Romania, Sandrina is in her final year of the integrated common law/civil law programme at the Faculty of Law of McGill University. Previously, she obtained an International Baccalaureate CEGEP degree from Jean-de-Brébeuf College in Montreal. She currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of the McGill International Journal of Sustainable Development Law and Policy. Last year, her team enjoyed the opportunity to plead at the Washington, DC, international rounds of the Jessup International Moot Court Competition.
Fran Middleton – YRITWC | Whitehorse, Yukon
Frances Middleton is a second year law student from the University of New Brunswick. She obtained her first degree, a combined honours Bachelor degree in Economics and Spanish at Dalhousie University. Last summer, she was an Indigenous Law Program student at the University of Victoria. She is an executive member of the UNB International Law Society and Aboriginal Law Society. Fran is really looking forward to building upon her interest in Indigenous Law this summer with the YRITWC, as well as expand into the area of environmental law. She’ll be far away from her home, the Rock (Newfoundland), but has always wanted the opportunity to explore the Canadian North. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, running, and living in a tent. Fran’s internship is funded in part by Poole Althouse.
Lauren Whyte – YRITWC | Whitehorse, Yukon
Lauren is currently in her first year of law school at the University of British Columbia. She is originally from Ontario and completed an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Economics at McGill University in Montreal. After graduating from McGill, she spent a year working as an assistant at Greenpeace’s International office in Amsterdam, Netherlands. While at Greenpeace, she became interested in the role law plays in our societies with regard to environmental protection policies and decided to go to law school to further pursue this interest. Lauren loves sports, travelling and outdoor adventures, and is looking forward to spending her summer in the Yukon.
Kristen Allen – CLA-ACE | Ottawa, Canada
Kristen Allen is a second-year law student at Queen’s University with an interest in constitutional law, international law and human rights. Before moving to Kingston, Kristen spent four years at the University of Guelph earning a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Public Policy. Throughout both degrees, she has focused her studies and efforts on social justice issues. While on exchange at University College London, Kristen conducted an independent research project on the use of art as an instrument of political protest in Britain. Supervised by a professor at Queen’s Faculty of Law, she is currently involved in various research projects relating to equality rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. She is also organizing Lawlapalooza, a battle-of-the-bands fundraising event for Haiti relief. In her spare time, Kristen writes a column for the New Queen’s Counsel on “hot topics” relevant to the Kingston legal community. Her interests include travel, creative writing and volleyball.
Comments on this entry are closed.