At the end of the semester, students prepare a final self-reflection essay about what they learned about lawyering from their clinical experience. Students write about the topics that seem most relevant to their individual experiences. They use seminar reading, discussions, and project work to reflect on their motivations, goals, strengths, and weaknesses. Here are selected examples of their essays:
“The Work Goes On” by Mary Dahdouh
To the Arab Girl from Suburban Texas… I know you do not realize this yet, but your place in the world is going to change significantly one day. One day, the entire world will open itself up to you and immerse you in its wonder. One day, you will no longer be the Arab girl from suburban Texas, a misfit in her own skin, but rather a global citizen whose place is nowhere and everywhere. Just you wait. Read the full essay, “The Work Goes On.”
“International Law is a Self-Preserving System” by Navkiran Chima
”International law is a self-preserving system.” Anthony D’Amato’s phrase is forever etched in my mind. The phrase was often invoked to explain why States craft conservative rules, adhere rigidly to precedent, and prioritize stability over radical or socially-just transformation. At times, this framing made international law feel at odds with human rights. Read the full essay, “International Law is a Self-Preserving System.”
“Between Grief and Function” by Anonymous
Growing up a grandchild of displaced East Bengali refugees, who fled their homes overnight after the British colonial government partitioned India in 1947, I have long carried the
epigenetic weight of the deep historical injustice embedded into my identity. This subconscious inheritance has shaped my political, intellectual, and legal pursuits, including my decisions to attend law school, apply for the Human Rights Clinic, and pursue a career that champions justice and accountability through public international law (“PIL”). Read the full essay, “Between Grief and Function.”