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The Student Trainee Exchange Programme:
“STEP INTO THE WORLD …”
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Are you interested in receiving more information on recent STEP places? Subscribe yourself to
the STEP Mailinglist!
STEP is an acronym for the Student Trainee Exchange Programme. It is through
this programme that ELSA members may gain international work experience (traineeships).
Each year, ELSA offers different possibilities to work in a law related
environment in a foreign country. Most of these traineeships will be in Europe
but occasionally there may be opportunities to work further afield. Not only
does this programme enable law students and young lawyers to gain first hand
experience of the substantive and procedural law of another country, it also
allows them to experience a foreign culture and put their language skills to
use.The traineeships are between 2 weeks and 18 months. They can take place in
any law related area; law firms, courts, public institutions, banks, in-house
legal departments, consulting firms and international organisations.
Before and during the traineeship, ELSA provides assistance with finding
accommodation, applying for visas, when necessary, and organising social events
to involve the trainee in the daily life of the local community. Via this way
you discover the country as no one else.
You get a remuneration as an intern. The amount depends on the standard of
living of the particular country. It is enough to cover living and housing
expenses (like food, accommodation, etc). The flight tickets and visa expenses
as well as the costs for the trips you will make during your stay are for your
own account. Through STEP ELSA wants to give you a life experience, you will not
earn lots of money by going on an international traineeship! You will have
enough money to satisfy your basic needs.
What are the benefits?
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The benefits of a STEP traineeship are immeasurable. STEP gives increased
knowledge of a particular legal system or area of law, thus strengthens the
professional skills of the trainee. As important as the academic and
professional skills are, the improved language abilities and the experience of
another culture that the trainee gains while participating in STEP are
invaluable.
Furthermore, the trainee acquires valuable contacts, personal as well as
professional, and future employment prospects.
Taking part in STEP helps you to be better prepared for becoming lawyers of
tomorrow, working in an international environment.
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How to apply?
The procedure for applying
online for a traineeship can be
divided in three steps:
1. Register on
ELSA
ONLINE.
2. Present the appropriate
certificates or college
transcripts to ELSA London. Once
these have been checked and
verified, your online
application form will be
accepted and activated. You will
be able to access your STEP
application using your chosen
password and user name. Once
activated you have access to
ELSA ONLINE for one year.
3. Search and apply online for
the traineeship of your choice.
You will be automatically
matched to the traineeships
available in the database and
the traineeships that you
qualify for will be listed on
the screen. This list is being
updated regularly as the pool of
available traineeships changes.
NB. You may only apply for one
traineeship at a time.
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