A Summer of Migration: Living, Learning and Teaching

Rachel Bryce (2L JD/MGA)

Basking in international diplomacy at the Palais des Nations. Credit: Brenda Chang.

On an early Monday afternoon last April, my flight descended over Lac Léman, surrounded by the majestic Swiss Alps. I arrived in Geneva for four of the most meaningful and memorable months of my life. Thanks to the IHRP, I had the opportunity to work with the International Migration Law unit at the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Migration Agency.

I was a part of a five-woman team with two other exceptional interns who have become lifelong friends. In this tight-knit team, I researched LGBTI migrant rights and discretionary humanitarian protection. I authored and co-authored Information Notes on this research to update the IOM staff on the current state of international law. I attended and reported on the Global Compact for Refugees consultations and Human Rights Council (HRC) events. Both offered the chance to understand how international agreements are made, but the more personally significant interactions came from the HRC side events engaging members of the academic and non-profit worlds. Especially impactful was the HRC side event hosted by the Special Rapporteur on Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), which welcomed visiting IDPs to share their stories and experiences. A second event hosted by the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism was similarly impactful through its passionate discussion on the intersections of migration, racism and xenophobia. Taking these experiences back into the office motivated day-to-day briefs and background research for the monthly training missions to Member States, as well as the frequent editing of field office country reports.

Beyond the professional, this summer was socially and personally fulfilling. The intern network in Geneva filled all non-work hours with bright, motivated individuals who all shared my desire for adventure and travel. I formed friendships in these past four months that have forever changed my life. As expensive as life can be in Geneva, it is the heart of Europe and travel to neighbouring countries is comparably cheap. At the risk of sounding like the stereotypical millennial globetrotter, I escaped almost every weekend and saw cities throughout France, Italy, Spain, England, and Switzerland. The wealth of culture, art and history in Europe is astounding and often felt surreal compared to our relatively young country. I remember distinctly walking through the Jewish Quarter in Rome, passing yet another grand stone ruin and feeling as if I was on a film set, not actually passing by buildings that would have stood proudly in that very city millennia ago.

Without hesitation, to any future IHRP fellows, I recommend taking full advantage of both the professional and personal opportunities that come from the internship experience. Ask for work you are passionate about, surround yourself with like-minded, adventurous individuals, and travel as much and as cheaply as possible. These memories will stay with you forever and will define how you see the world and yourself for the rest of your life.