Internship Experience @ International Justice Mission, Kolkata: Work on Human Trafficking

Organization. City.

International Justice Mission, IJM. Kolkata.

Duration of the internship. Timings:

3 weeks in July, 2014. 10:30 am-6 pm, weekdays only.

Application procedure. Internship contact details:

Parents Personal contact + Telephonic Interview.

Accommodation: where and how was it?

I travelled around 6-8 kilometers via a cab, which is easily available, I reside in Kolkata itself, so no trouble in accommodation.

How big was the office? Team strength?

Legal team had 3 seniors, 3 researchers/interns using myself and a team leader.

Administrative staff was 10-15 strong.

First impression. First day, formalities etc.:

I had to sign a couple of documents, I was introduced formally to everyone, they were very friendly and asked me to feel comfortable and ask them any questions if need be.

Main tasks:

I had to accompany the lawyers to court visits, once a week, research on cases associated with human trafficking and sex slavery as they are an NGO who are engaged in rescuing such people and convicting their offenders.

I was also asked to review 2 of their documentaries and write about my court visits.

Work environment, people:

The work culture at IJM is friendly but punctual and systematic.

The 3 seniors would meet me twice daily and I had to submit a completion report to team leader at the end of every week.

Best Things:

I learnt how to speed up my research, reading and writing skills; how not to crack under pressure and appreciate the pro bono work that IJM was engaged in.

Bad Things:

No stipend, need to carry work home sometimes since office would end by 6:30 pm but work may remain incomplete.

What did you do to chill? Co-interns, colleagues:

We played TT and went to a nearby restaurant once when there were no court visits or cases scheduled.

Stipend:

No