Studying International Law While it Unravels

This summer, I had the opportunity to participate in the Queen’s International Law Program in the public international law stream. In this article, I will share some highlights and personal reflections on the program, from practical advice on entering the field of international law to insights into what it means to study it at a time when the system appears to be collapsing.  

Program Overview & Highlights

The program is an intensive eight-week course, during which participants complete three courses totaling nine credit hours towards their JD. Upon completion, students receive an official certificate recognizing their achievement.

Public international law governs the relationships between states and sets the rules that shape behaviour in the international community. Further, it defines the rights and obligations that states owe to non-state actors, such as individuals and international organizations. The program covers key areas of international law, including the law of the sea, international humanitarian law, international criminal law, human rights law, and refugee law. 

Through this program, I was able to study in Berlin, with the chance to visit the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice in The Hague, UNESCO in Paris and both the UN and UNHCR in Geneva. The program included regular guest lectures and  receptions featuring professionals from across the field of international law, ranging from Global Affairs Canada staff to a sitting judge at the ICC. I learned from outstanding professors who are also practitioners of international law. I learned about the laws of armed conflict from individuals who worked at the International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia, offering firsthand insight on the subject. 

Reflections 

Studying public international law at a time when it often feels like the system is unraveling can be disheartening, as we see such blatant violations by exceptionally powerful actors. At the same time, knowing these laws, the atrocities that led to their creation and their importance to the international community deepens my outrage toward those who continue to violate them. Ultimately, I would rather be outraged by these actors than live in ignorance of their actions. That awareness is something I’ve gained through studying public international law with Queen’s. 

The most valuable practical advice I received about entering the field of international law was to bet on myself. We were repeatedly told that international law is a challenging field to break into, often requiring risks such as unpaid internships, lower salaries compared to big law, or leaving well-paid domestic positions to pursue opportunities abroad. We should trust ourselves enough to take risks, believing in our own capabilities and potential to succeed even in times of uncertainty. 

This program taught me the value of taking risks, trusting myself, and stepping beyond my comfort zone. It also greatly deepened my understanding of international law and provided practical insights into pursuing a career in the field. I would highly recommend this program to anyone interested, as it offers an incredible opportunity for both personal and      professional growth.