Hannah Martin
BA Sociology; minor, International Studies ‘22
Perseus Strategies, LLC
“I was overjoyed to receive the opportunity for the International Human Rights Fellowship at Perseus Strategies. From the first day, I was entrusted with responsibility and began to problem solve and complete numerous tasks to help the firm’s many cases. Within eight weeks, I can say that the depth of human rights knowledge and hands-on experience has been unmatched by any course I’ve taken. I have never been so up to date on the happenings around the world, in the U.S. Congress and international bodies like the United Nations. Going into my final year as an undergraduate student, I can guarantee that this experience has bettered me as a student and as I move forward into a career in human rights law.
The highlight of this internship was without a doubt the guest speaker series where intimate zoom chats connected the interns with impressive human rights figures around the world from democracy activists Dr. Yang Janli (I highly recommend his ted talk) and Peter Biar Ajak to neuro-rights activist and scientist Rafael Yuste. During these chats, I was humbled to be hearing the life stories of these incredible people and truly inspired the resilience of the human spirit after stories of arbitrary detention and government repression.
The support from the Perseus team made each day of work delightful. I’d like to thank Jared Genser, Skylar Gleason, Michael Russo, and Brian Tronic for fostering such a great internship program that even though I was states away from the firm, I still felt connected to the team. I must acknowledge this incredible learning experience would not be possible without the Program in International and Comparative Studies, a remarkable program in which I’m also receiving my minor, as well as the Donia Human Rights Center who along with supporting this opportunity, the director Steve Ratner shared invaluable advice as a guest speaker. Finally, I would like to thank Perseus Strategies for challenging me, for believing in my capacity to succeed and for providing me the chance to work with you all.”
