What It's Like to Be an Intern at the UN Human Rights Council?

My internship at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva has been an amazing journey and a truly unique experience. At the beginning, the workload was quite high. I had to stay focused and manage multiple tasks at once while learning the complex procedures of the UN. It was intense, but incredibly rewarding, teaching me a lot about preparation, concentration, and confidence.

Diving into the Heart of Global Diplomacy

During my time here, my tasks as a legal intern were incredibly diverse. I attended debates in the General Assembly, joined side events, informal consultations, urgent debates, and the Universal Periodic Review. I even had the chance to participate in visiting missions of other countries, such as the Canadian Mission, and attended receptions hosted by different nations.

My daily work involved analyzing key issues, writing reports and briefing notes, and drawing conclusions to help my team prepare for upcoming events. I focused closely on questions and priorities important to Estonia, and paid special attention to the legal documents, conventions, and statutes utilized during the 61st session.

The Highlight: Speaking at the General Assembly

Without a doubt, the absolute highlight of my internship was delivering a speech in the General Assembly. It was thrilling to actively take part in the debates, see how discussions unfold, and contribute my own ideas. I also witnessed the adoption of final resolutions, the voting process, and how countries commit to follow them afterwards. It genuinely made me feel like I was at the center of global decision-making.

Professional Growth and Finding My Path

Through this experience, I strengthened my analytical and writing skills, particularly in summarizing debates and drafting notes. Occasionally, I even assisted in drafting speeches.

I gained a much deeper understanding of other countries’ priorities and policies, and saw firsthand how international relations, politics, and law are balanced in practice. Observing these dynamics taught me how to approach complex issues in a professional, non-politicized way while still contributing meaningfully. It also improved my ability to communicate ideas clearly and work effectively in a fast-paced multicultural environment.

An International Family

Beyond the official meetings, I really enjoyed the informal moments, like lunch breaks and chatting with colleagues. These small interactions made the office feel so welcoming. Meeting other interns and representatives from around the world made me feel closer to the community - we are like a big international family! My colleagues here are prime examples of the successful legal and international affairs careers that I aspire to follow, and we will definitely stay in touch.

The most important piece of advice I received during my time here came from my supervisor, Pille Kesler: “Do what you truly love.” This simple sentence reminded me to stay passionate about my work and to pour my energy into areas that genuinely interest me.

This internship not only gave me hands-on experience in international diplomacy but also helped me narrow down my interests for my future legal career. I learned just how rewarding it is to contribute to discussions and initiatives that have a real-world impact.