Ava | Legal Internship at Absolute Internship

Ava D.

Online

Legal InternshipAbsolute Internship|ParisParis

Currently at San Diego State University

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Internship

LegalUnited StatesUnited States

Currently

LawyerSan Diego State University

Hi, I'm Ava! I'm a Pre-Law student at SDSU who interned as a Legal Intern at NMW Law in Paris, contributing to cases, legal research and drafting. It sharpened my skills and confirmed my passion for international law. I'd love to connect with anyone considering an internship abroad!

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Ava is a former student and verified Absolute Internship ambassador

Why Ava chose this path

“I chose to intern abroad because I wanted real, hands-on legal experience with an international dimension, not just theory from a classroom. As a Pre-Law student focused on international law and human rights, I knew I needed exposure to how legal work actually functions across borders and legal systems before committing to law school. Interning abroad let me test that interest in a real professional setting rather than just reading about it.”

How I got in

I chose Paris because it's a city with a major international presence and some of the strongest legal traditions in the world, which made it an ideal place to get real exposure to cross-border and international law. On top of that, Paris is a city with an incredible amount to explore - culturally, historically, and just in terms of everyday life - so I knew it would be a place I could grow professionally while also having a genuinely rich experience outside of work.

Top tips for getting accepted

Go in ready to be useful, not just observe - the more initiative you show early on, the more real responsibility you'll be trusted with. Don't be afraid to ask questions when you don't understand something; it's better than guessing on real work. And make time to actually experience the city and culture outside the office - it's easy to let the internship consume all your time, but the cultural experience is half the value of going abroad in the first place.

Common mistakes to avoid

I would have started building relationships with my colleagues and asking about their own career paths earlier, rather than waiting until I felt "settled in." Those conversations ended up being some of the most valuable parts of the experience, and I wish I'd leaned into them from day one instead of a few weeks in.

What Ava wishes they knew

Things I wish I knew before starting

I wish I'd known how much of legal work abroad is about being resourceful and comfortable with ambiguity - you're not always given a clear roadmap, and part of the job is figuring out how to approach a task, ask the right questions, and adapt to a different legal system and working culture at the same time. It would have helped to go in expecting that learning curve instead of assuming I'd feel confident right away.

The hardest part

Honestly, the hardest part was adjusting to a new professional environment and legal system at the same time I was adjusting to living in a new country. There were moments early on where I felt behind simply because I was learning how things worked - both in the office and in daily life - all at once. It took a few weeks to feel like I'd found my footing.

The best decision I made

The best decision I made was saying yes to the internship in the first place, even though it meant stepping into a lot of unknowns - a new country, a new legal system, and real responsibility I hadn't had before. Committing to that discomfort ended up being what made the experience so valuable.

What it's actually like

A typical day

My days usually started with reviewing case files or picking up where I'd left off on research, then meeting with attorneys to go over assignments or get feedback on drafts I'd put together. Afternoons were often spent digging into legal research or working on memos and contracts, with occasional check-ins to make sure I was on the right track. Evenings were mine to explore Paris, grab dinner with other interns, or just wander the city - which made the long research days feel worth it.

Topics Ava can help with

Day-to-Day LifeInterview PrepApplication TipsCareer DevelopmentNetworkingInternational Opportunities

Questions students ask Ava

What does a typical day in your internship actually look like?
My days usually started with reviewing case files or picking up where I'd left off on research, then meeting with attorneys to go over assignments or get feedback on drafts I'd put together. We would then take an hour or two for lunch, during which my boss would make our team lunch and coffee and we would all eat together. Afternoons were often spent digging into legal research or working on memos and contracts, with occasional check-ins to make sure I was on the right track. Evenings were mine to explore Paris, grab dinner with other interns, or just wander the city which made the long research days feel worth it.
How did you land your internship - what did the application process involve?
This was actually the first internship interview I landed, so it felt like a big milestone right from the start. The application process involved submitting my background and experience, followed by an interview where I talked through my qualifications and why I was interested in international legal work specifically. Once I was accepted, I communicated directly with my host company, NMW Law, to work out the logistics such as start dates, expectations, and what the role would actually look like day to day.
What skills do you wish you had before starting that you'd tell others to prepare?
If I could go back, I'd tell myself to brush up on basic legal research skills before starting, how to actually use legal research databases and websites efficiently, rather than learning it all on the fly. I'd also recommend getting familiar with common legal vernacular beforehand, like knowing what a memo actually is and how it's structured, along with other terms that come up constantly in a legal office. Walking in with even a basic grasp of that language and those tools would have saved me time and helped me feel more confident contributing from day one.

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