International Justice Externship Program

Penn State Law’s International Justice Externship offers students an opportunity to pursue advanced international study and gain legal experience in a global setting. Working side-by-side with senior prosecutors at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the Special Court for Sierra Leone, both located in The Hague, Netherlands, students participate in some of the most significant international criminal cases being prosecuted today. 

Educational benefits of the externship include:

• Hands on instruction in international criminal law
• Exposure to different legal cultures
• Instruction in the management of large complex trials
• Instruction in alternative approaches to the introduction of trial evidence.

The program is facilitated on-site by Professor Dermot Groome, a senior trial attorney for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. Professor Groome prepared the criminal indictment against former president Slobodan Milosevic and is preparing the prosecution of Jovica Stanisic and Franko Simatovic, the highest ranking Serbian officials charged with war crimes perpetrated in Croatia and Bosnia.

Students with a commitment to international criminal law and/or human rights are encouraged to apply for this semester-long program (Fall or Spring). Students interested in the International Justice Externship should consult the ICTY’s website, which includes streaming video of ongoing trials, and contact program advisor, Professor Karen Bysiewicz.

Students interested in applying for the International Justice Externship must meet the program eligibility requirements and submit an application and other required materials.

Interested students should review the academic advisement information provided by the Office of Academic Affairs. Interested students should then meet with the program advisor or an academic dean (ideally in the spring of the 1L year) to plan an appropriate course of study to satisfy graduation and program eligibility requirements. For example, students interested in applying for the externship are encouraged to take Professional Responsibility in their 2L year, as well as the prerequisite course in international law or human rights.