A legal internship in Colombia will open a young law student’s eyes to a foreign legal system while also taking them on a South American adventure. The exposure to a new government and international law will broaden an up-and-coming professional’s concept of law and order. Moreover, the unique experience of interning abroad will help a young law professional set themselves apart while trying to find a job in the competitive legal field.
Current law students and law school graduates can benefit from The Intern Group’s legal internships in Colombia. Internships are a great way to earn real-world experience in the legal field while also working and living in a foreign country. Working alongside established Colombian legal professionals will also give interns a better idea of professional expectations for when they start their career.
There are many types of internships available for legal interns in Colombia. Legal roles in Medellín vary from government positions to jobs in legal departments of international companies. Some previous interns have even worked with the Colombian legislatures.
Legal interns in Colombia are placed in accommodations within Medellín’s safest neighborhood, El Poblado. Interns have the option of either living with a Colombian family or rooming in a shared apartment. Shared apartment accommodations can be with either program participants or local Colombians.
In the increasingly globalized world, learning Spanish is a huge advantage for a legal professional. Plus the language will be easier to pick up, as Colombians have a reputation for speaking clear, well-enunciated Spanish. Moreover, The Intern Group offers its legal interns optional Spanish language classes at Universidad EAFIT. Students all levels are welcome to take Spanish classes, located close to housing in the El Poblado district. With some 405 million speakers globally, Spanish is a great asset for any professional, especially if they are looking for a job with an international focus.
Colombia has emerged from its violent past to become one of Latin America’s rising stars. Though somewhat stagnated by falling oil prices, the country has experienced significant economic expansion in recent years. Following its economic growth, the country’s middle class has also expanded. With these changes, the country is beginning to put poverty and related violence behind it. Though certain sectors of the remain problematic, major cities like Medellín have gone under a dramatic transformation. Medellín was once one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Now its homicide rates have dropped below cities like Washington, D.C. and New Orleans.
The second-largest city in the country, Medellín has become Colombia’s city of innovation and growth. After a big push to carry out innovative public transportation initiatives, technological investments and social innovation, the city has reaped the benefits. In 2013, the Urban Land Institute named Medellín “innovative city of the year”. The consultancy Indra also called Medellín the best Latin American city to live in, tying with Santiago, Chile.
Along with the city’s easygoing residents, Medellín’s weather is a main source of the city’s charm. The city’s climate is spring-like yearlong, with the local temperature always between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The yearlong spring weather makes it a great place to play sports, go exploring, picnic or any other outdoor activity.
Along with its charismatic locals and ideal weather conditions, Medellín is famous for its vibrant flower festival called Feria de flores, which attracts tourists around the world. In August, rural farmers make their way into the city from the province to showcase their intricate flower designs on the streets of Medellín. Festival activities also involve an antique car parade, a horse parade, and a flower float parade featuring dancers, singers and performers.
Medellín rests in the beautiful Aburrá Valley in the Andes mountains, surrounded by bright green hills. Medellín’s locals often identify themselves as from the Medellín province of Antioquia, referring to themselves as either as Antioqueños or paisas rather than Medellínenses. The term paisas comes from paisano, or “fellow countryman” and implies a cultural and regional identity encompassing Colombians in the states of Antioquia, Caldas, Risaralda, Quindío and a few towns of Tolima and Valle del Cauca. Paisas speak a bit faster than many Colombians from other regions. They also prepare the traditional “bandeja paisa” or the paisa platter, which is a regional plate. The bandeja paisa generally includes fried egg, sausage, an arepa, avocado, chicharrón (fried pork belly), white rice, powdered meat, plantain and beans.
Earn real-world international legal experience with an internship in Colombia. The opportunity to work alongside established legal professionals from all over the world uniquely prepares a young person for their law career. Moreover, the opportunity to live and work in a foreign country offers an intern abroad an exciting cultural experience.
Apply now and boost your career!
Sources: mycolombianrecipes.com, Frommers, wsj.com, www.kauffman.org, Wikipedia
Photo 1. based on medellin, by david peña, CC-by-2.0
Photo 2. based on 05.05.07 – 24 hours Flickr, by Luz Adriana Villa, CC-by-2.0
Photo 3. based on Medellin, Comuna 13, Metro Cable, by Omar Uran, CC-by-2.0