| Emma van Leusden |
 From Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, Canada in 2005. After being called to the Bar in Toronto in 2006, I embarked on my six-month internship with the LRC in Grahamstown from September 2006 until March 2007, which was funded by the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and administered by the Canadian Bar Association. This was my first professional experience as a fully qualified lawyer.During my internship, I developed a great professional and personal relationship with my fellow colleagues at the Legal Resources Centre. We work well as a team on a professional level as well as friends in a casual setting. The LRC has made every effort to integrate me into the office and the community, which has made my internship a once-in-a-lifetime unforgettable experience. Outside of work, I have also developed great relationships with the community of Grahamstown. In my opinion, community integration is crucial for any intern to feel established and able to live and work efficiently in a foreign country for six months. I have enjoyed the work in which I was involved with at the LRC. Every effort at my involvement in most files was made by my supervisor which has familiarized me with a wide range of issues (i.e. social justice work, land claims, right to education, right to housing) and type of work (i.e. memoranda, letters of demand, funding proposals, reports and drafting affidavits). The work at the LRC is very "hands-on" and I have been able to see considerable progress in some files at the office, despite my being here for only six months. Furthermore, my work as an intern at the LRC has greatly enhanced my skills as a lawyer and has made me grow professionally and personally. On a personal level, I find that I have become more mature and self-confident lawyer. On a professional level, I have noticed that my research, organization, and administrative skills have improved greatly. The experiences I have had in the office also boosted confidence in my ability to be self-sufficient and resourceful. I feel like I have evolved into a competent and skilled attorney who has a lot to offer any legal community. I also feel that I have made a postiive contribution to the Legal Resources Centre and will have a great deal to contribute to the legal community in Canada upon my return.
 This internship has been the most valuable and memorable experience in my journey to becoming a human rights lawyer. It has bolstered my knowledge of law generally, a foreign legal system and my self-confidence as a lawyer. In addition to this, it has provided me with the opportunity to travel to another country, immerse myself in a unique culture, and grow significantly in my career and professional life. In addition to working at the LRC, working and living abroad generally for six months has been a great learning experience. I have met many professional and personal contacts with whom I shall maintain contact with after my internship ends- by Emma van Leusden
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