More Than a Case File: Law Students Discover the Human Side of Refugee Protection

For fifth-year law students Megi and Paola from the Faculty of Law at the University of Tirana, a two-month internship with Refugees and Migrants Services in Albania (RMSA), UNHCR's partner, offered an opportunity to experience refugee protection beyond the classroom. Undertaken through the Faculty's Legal Clinic, the internship forms part of the ongoing cooperation between UNHCR and the University of Tirana to strengthen knowledge and practical understanding of refugee law among future legal professionals. The initiative is supported through the EU-funded Regional Support to Protection-Sensitive Migration Management Systems in the Western Balkans (PSMM III) project. 

Like many law students, Megi and Paola had previously studied refugee law, international protection principles and key international conventions during their academic studies. Yet, until this experience, their understanding remained largely theoretical.

"At university, we learned about conventions, legal principles and rights," they explained. "But the internship helped us understand how these frameworks are applied in practice and the challenges that can emerge during implementation."

During the internship, the students worked alongside RMSA's legal officer, supporting legal research and case preparation while fully respecting confidentiality and data protection safeguards. They assisted with legal analysis, background research and the preparation of case materials, gaining valuable insight into the work that supports asylum-seekers and refugees in Albania.

One area they found particularly engaging was researching Country of Origin Information (COI), an important component of refugee status determination. Through this process, they learned how legal professionals gather and assess information from multiple sources to better understand the circumstances that may have forced people to flee their countries and seek protection elsewhere.

The experience also revealed how complex the practical application of the law can be.

"What surprised us most was how small details can become major issues in the implementation of the law and create bottlenecks in the process," they reflected. "It helped us understand that refugee protection is not only about legal provisions, but also about procedures and ensuring that safeguards work in practice."

For both students, however, the most memorable part of the internship was not found in legal documents or case files.

A visit to Albania's Reception Centre for Asylum offered an opportunity to better understand the daily realities faced by people seeking protection. Walking through the facility, seeing where residents live and learning more about their experiences helped transform abstract legal concepts into human realities.

"Studying refugee law in the classroom is one thing. Visiting the Reception Centre and seeing where people live, hearing about their experiences and putting yourself in their shoes makes you understand the human side of the law in a completely different way," they said.

Until then, refugee law had largely existed as a body of legislation, conventions and legal principles. Meeting people affected by displacement helped them appreciate the direct impact that legal systems and protection mechanisms can have on people's lives.

The internship also allowed the students to develop skills they had not expected to gain. Beyond traditional legal research, they learned how to assess complex information, analyse country conditions and understand the importance of precision and attention to detail when working on cases involving people seeking asylum and safety.

Most importantly, the experience reinforced their determination to use their legal education in service of others.

Inspired by the people they met and the work they observed, both Megi and Paola expressed an interest in remaining engaged through volunteer initiatives and future professional opportunities that combine legal expertise with humanitarian action. Whether through legal aid, human rights, refugee protection, public service or international organizations, they hope to apply their skills in contexts where they can make a meaningful contribution to people in vulnerable situations.

Their experience reflects the broader objective of the partnership between UNHCR, RMSA, and the University of Tirana: connecting academic learning with practical experience and encouraging future legal professionals to engage with refugee protection and access to justice. Through legal clinics and internships, students are not only building professional skills but also gaining a deeper appreciation of the people and stories behind the law. 

For Megi and Paola, graduation now represents more than the start of a legal career. It marks the beginning of a journey shaped by a deeper understanding of refugee protection and the people at its heart. As they look toward the future, they hope to use their legal knowledge not only to interpret the law, but to ensure it fulfils its highest purpose: protecting rights, upholding dignity and helping people rebuild their lives with safety and hope.