In the competitive legal sector, an international internship is just the thing to boost a young professional’s career. Working in a Hong Kong law firm will give a young person that vital hands-on experience that will land them their first job offer. Working alongside established Hong Kong professionals also allows interns to get a sense of the day-to-day work environment of a law firm.
Roles
As the gateway to Asia, Hong Kong is a competitive and fast-paced city full of opportunity. Previous interns in Hong Kong have worked with firms like the legal and compliance company Red Flag. Intern duties have included drafting client proposals, writing articles for the company magazine and organizing legal presentations.
Learning Mandarin and Cantonese
Learning the most popular language on the globe isn’t a bad move for a young legal professional looking to boost their career. Mandarin has some 955 speakers worldwide. Though internship roles are in English, interns can take Mandarin or Cantonese classes within the Intern Group program. Interns will also be immersed in the language living in Hong Kong and conversing with locals.
Housing
Legal interns in Hong Kong stay in the safest areas of the city. Housing is located on either the Hong Kong Island or the Kowloon side. Interns live in shared apartment spaces in areas like Wan Chai, Sheung Wan, Sai Ying Pun and Jorden.
Hong Kong
When they aren’t busy with their internship, a legal intern in Hong Kong can explore the city and learn about its rich culture and history. Once a British colony, Hong Kong is a global city with many cultural influences. The metropolis is inhabited by over 7 million people, 94% Chinese. The city also has a large population of people from all over the world, particularly international financial professionals as the city is the third most important financial center in the world, following New York and London.
Hong Kong or “Fragrant Harbour” comes from a phonetic rendering of the city’s name in Cantonese. The city was part of Ancient and Imperial China, then became a British Crown Colony from 1842 until 1941. In the 40s Japan occupied Hong Kong for four years until 1945, when Britain regained control. Then in 1997 the sovereignty of Hong Kong was transferred from the UK to the People’s Republic of China.
Temples and skyscrapers
The combination of towering skyscrapers and humble temples are a testament to the diverse ideologies at play in Hong Kong. The city is influenced by both Buddhism and capitalism, with buildings dedicated to each belief system scattered about. One of Hong Kong’s most impressive Buddhist complexes is the Chi Lin Nunnery, which includes temples, statues, gardens and ponds. The nunnery was founded in 1934 and has since been renovated. The Mo Man temple, Ten Thousand Buddha Monastery and Big Buddha on Lantau Island are other significant Buddhist structures located in Hong Kong.
Home to Asia’s financial powerhouses, Hong Kong’s skyscrapers are an impressive sight to see. At night, the giant structures light up for a nightly show called “Symphony of lights.” Tourists can line up beside the Victoria Harbour and see the light show, in which over 40 skyscrapers participate. The performance has even made it into the Guinness Book of World Records as “World’s Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show”.
Beyond the metropolis
Hong Kong has a lot to offer beyond its steel skyscrapers and giant shopping centers. For one, there are numerous national parks nearby the metropolis. The Intern Group’s Hong Kong interns take a tour of the spectacular Lantau Island. Lantau is located at the mouth of the Pearl River and is part of the Islands District. Compared to the bustle of Hong Kong Island, Lantau is serene and calm – the perfect getaway. The mountainous island includes Hong Kong’s largest country park, Lantau South Country Park. One of the island’s biggest attractions is the Tian Tan Buddha, an 85-foot bronze Buddha statue. Island visitors also frequently check out the Po Lin Monastery.
Traveling China
The option to travel to other Chinese cities is another perk of legal internships in Hong Kong. The Intern Group program includes a trip to Macau, “the vegas of Asia”. Macau is among the biggest gambling centers in the world and is quite wealthy. Macau was also once a colony of Portugal, making it an interesting cultural area as it has been influenced by both Chinese and Portuguese culture. The Macau Grand Prix, the Macau Arts festival and Chinese New Year are some of the important cultural events and festivals the city hosts.
Boost your career!
Learn about the gateway to China while preparing for a career in law with a legal internship in Hong Kong. The multicultural experience includes professional development and real-world job experience working alongside established legal professionals. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to travel and live in a foreign country while gaining professional experience.
Sources: internationalstudentguidetotheusa.com, HKTDC, Frommer’s, Wikipedia – Languages, discoverhongkong.com,
Photo 1. based on Hong Kong #iPhoneography, by Pasu Au Yeung, CC-by-2.0
Photo 2. based on Hong Kong Skyline, by Jo Schmaltz, CC-by-2.0
Photo 3. based on Hong Kong street light stream, by Anton Strogonoff, CC-by-2.0