Rebecca Harris
I worked with MDAC for 3 weeks, but I wish I could have stayed for longer. So often you hear stories of dire internships with various organisations and law firms where the interns are only used to photocopy documents and make tea, but at MDAC this simply isn’t the case. Interns here are given REAL work to do and are assigned tasks that have a real and noticeable impact on the work of MDAC, so be prepared to be thrown in at the deep end (but with fully worthwhile consequences).
During my time here I have undertaken research on the ASPEN project, which focuses on investigating and tackling the stigma people with psycho-social disabilities and mental health issues face. Initially, my task was to research the area of employment and but after being involved in meetings which discussed the best direction for the project, I looked at a the more specific area of reasonable accommodation. I also had the opportunity to work on the media side of MDAC, writing articles for the newsletter and updating the website. In terms of the newsletter I conducted interviews with staff members and wrote summaries of the submissions to the Universal Periodic Review on Bulgaria and Croatia put forward by MDAC. Interns here are really listened to and involved in progressing the work of MDAC – for example the office holds weekly meetings at which ALL staff, including interns, feed back about their current work and how their projects are going. Recently a meeting was held about the website where everyone was invited to offer their opinions, again interns were listened to and respected as equals to all other staff.
On top of a great work experience the staff are really friendly and will quickly make you feel welcome, so first day nerves quickly wear away, and you have the city of Budapest at your fingertips! Personally I recommend looking around the National Gallery and definitely heading to Szechenyi baths, but there really is an endless list of things to do. I can honestly say that my time at MDAC has been one of the highlights of my summer and the best legal work experience I have ever had. I would strongly recommend that anyone with an interest in discrimination law, disability law, mental health, human rights or outside of the narrow world of commercial law apply for an internship, you won’t regret it.