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The program requires attaining an internship or any practical training in any legal institution, which I think is great as the level of preparedness to work after studies grows substantially.

I managed to acquire an internship at one of the most prominent international institutions, the European Parliament in Brussels. There are two primary placements available; 1) an internship with Member of  the European Parliament (MEP) or 2) a Schuman traineeship.

The internship with MEP is the more political option, drafting briefings, following committee work, preparing speeches, and generally helping the office. This traineeship is less structured, more dependent on the MEP, offering the decision-making process and how political positions are formed. The 

Schuman traineeship, on the other hand, is conducted within the Secretariat. This role is more administrative and institutional. You work in one of the Parliament’s departments or services, with clearer tasks, more formal supervision, and a focus on supporting the functioning of the institution.

I completed a five-month MEP traineeship in the office of Jaak Madison, which is usually the standard duration of an internship without extensions made by the Member. As I specifically requested tasks related to my legal studies, I had the opportunity to support my Member by researching the human rights situations in the countries represented by ambassadors meeting with my Member. These meetings took place in an informal setting, where I was also invited to attend. This allowed me to gain deeper insights into the legal and political perspectives of countries such as Sudan, Taiwan and Brazil. 

Other core tasks included participating in the Committee on International Trade (INTA). One task was about conducting a short presentation on WTO dispute settlement cases and the effects of United States blocking the voting of new judges to the  Appellate Body. Our committee focuses on WTO cases because international trade is one of the European Union’s core competencies, and the WTO provides the main legal framework for resolving disputes between trading partners.

Understanding the core legal bases and policymaking structures within my committee is vital for risk analysis of various voting suggestions to my MEP.

The European Parliament also holds its monthly plenary sessions in Strasbourg, where Members of the European Parliament come together to debate, amend, and vote on a wide range of legislative and political issues. During my traineeship, I had the opportunity to visit Strasbourg twice, which allowed me to observe the Parliament’s work in a much broader and more dynamic setting than the day-to-day committee work in Brussels. My role during these visits involved taking detailed notes on debates, following discussions closely, and helping to prepare briefing and voting notes to support my Member ahead of key decisions.

These plenary sittings are often very long and intensive, as the agenda usually covers a wide variety of important and often highly sensitive topics. During the December plenary sitting, for example, debates included issues such as actions against drug trafficking, European defence, and relations between the European Union and Saudi Arabia, alongside many other legislative and political matters. Being present during these sessions gave me a better understanding of the pace, complexity, and responsibility involved in parliamentary work, especially when discussions move quickly, and Members must be well prepared for votes. The picture above shows the main plenary chamber in Strasbourg, where these debates and votes take place and where many of the Parliament’s most important political discussions unfold.

My work was largely self-directed. Since my colleagues were supportive and didn’t assign me too many tasks throughout the day, I had the opportunity to take part in a variety of events, both within Parliament and at external institutions. The picture depicted above shows my rare opportunity to meet the Vice President of European Commission, Ms. Kaja Kallas in- person in the European External Action Service (EEAS) to interview and discuss about Estonia’s stance in world trade politics and war in the Middle East.

Some events were mandatory to participate in to make notes for MEP. I was also asked to conduct preliminary notes before meetings, for example with the President of Estonian Central Bank to discuss implications of digital euro. I also had time to attend other voluntary events in the Parliament more regarding my thesis of cross-border data governance and fundamental rights, giving the most recent decisions.

Overall, I would strongly recommend this traineeship not only for educational, vocational and strong practical training, but also for building courage and preparedness to build connections in a foreign country with other people and making new friends. Within the domain of international law, professional connections around the world are always beneficial. They offer opportunities to acquire diverse feedback and strengthen professional skills.

I truly enjoyed my time in Belgium and would be very happy to return, whether for a Schuman traineeship or for future professional opportunities. This experience also reminded me that courage, persistence, and a bit of luck often play an important role in opening new doors and creating unexpected opportunities. For anyone considering applying, I would strongly encourage you to look into the October-February (2027) Schuman traineeship, with applications opening in May. It is a valuable opportunity not only to gain professional experience, but also to challenge yourself, grow, and discover where such an experience might lead.