Having completed my Research project last summer, I felt slightly unsure about how to plan my LiA project. Something I did know was that I was keen to go somewhere beyond Europe, as I spent this past year working in France for my Year Abroad, studying French as part of my degree. This meant that I wanted to push myself to go to a different continent and experience something completely different, especially since 6 weeks is a relatively short amount of time and felt doable!!

As a Politics and French student wishing to pursue a career in Law, I also spent a substantial part of this year applying to law internships. This is what truly inspired me to pursue a LiA project centred around law, as I thought I could combine my passion for human rights with my interest in a legal career. This largely pushed me towards considering a LiA in a large city, as I knew I was more likely to find organisations here. I was very lucky to have been given a contact in my search for projects - an immigration lawyer working in Brisbane. I hadn't fully considered Australia before this, but I reached out to her and she recommended a few organisations I could get in contact with. This is what led me to the Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS) in Sydney! This organisation aims to help people seeking asylum by offering free legal advice and assistance to those who have been forced to leave their countries

Contacting RACS required me to fill out a formal application online with a cover letter, CV and answering a few questions. I then had an online meeting, and was thrilled to be accepted as an intern for the SOGIESC clinic, specialising in helping those who have fled their home country because of their sexual orientation.

The project goal for the LiA is to immerse myself within RACS, and be able to contribute positively to the NGO. I hope to be an efficient member of the team who can pick up new tasks quickly, and help alleviate the workload for the SOGIESC clinic. By the end of the 6 weeks, I hope I have a detailed understanding of the Australian immigration system, which I can apply successfully to my work and take the initiative in completing tasks and leading client calls. This will enable me to become a better leader who is empathetic and sensitive yet efficient at the same time.

OBJECTIVES:

- Develop a detailed understanding of Australian immigration Law

- Assist individuals over the phone or in person with their Protection Visa applications or immigration enquiries

- Work under supervision of the head lawyer running SOGIESC, and complete tasks as they require me to

- Develop my communication skills when conversing with clients about sensitive topics. 

- Develop my IT skills when utilising the organisation's software to complete tasks and file-note 

- Immerse myself within the team and integrate with my colleagues

- Be able to take the initiative in leading calls with clients and interpreters, or attending to client queries alone

- Learn how to draft Statements for PV applications

- Work on Front-End with a team of volunteers answering client lines and under supervision of the TroubleShooter Lawyer

- Learn how to work efficiently within a team 

- Learn (from the lawyers surrounding me) how to be a good leader, engaging empathy and ethics, to also become a better leader myself

Having reached halfway through my LiA, here are some of the outcomes I have achieved so far.

OUTCOMES:

- I have successfully completed my training on Australian immigration law, taking notes and a mini-exam. I am continuing to ask questions where I am unsure, and have compiled my notes in one word document to access easily

- I have taken client calls myself which was admittedly quite scary to begin with. While this has involved calling clients up myself within the SOGIESC clinic, I have also worked on Front-End to answer client lines. This has really increased my communication skills, as I have to speak using simple language and be sensitive to client's past traumas, while ensuring I help them as much as possible. This has also increased my team-working abilities as I consult with the TS lawyer to advise them in the correct way.

- I have learnt how to utilise the software, and the correct format for file-noting client interactions. I have also learnt how to draft administrative forms for the Australian Department of Home Affairs

- I have attended to clients in person, taking their queries myself in one jam-packed day. This was a test in my leadership abilities and collaboration abilities as I still consulted with my head lawyer, but this greatly improved my leadership

- I have helped draft a statement and pick out where more information is needed, improving my analysis skills

- I have lead calls utilising interpreters, developing upon my leadership and communication skills

- I have integrated with my colleagues and gone out to dinner after work with some of them

I hope to develop upon these in the next few weeks before my LiA comes to a close. So far it has been an amazing experience and I am so grateful to the warm team at RACS for welcoming me so kindly.