Student Quotes

"Serving at Center has been an amazing experience which has helped me explore and better understand my interests and passions. I had the opportunity to conduct research on human trafficking trends in Florida and draft a Human Trafficking Resource Directory for survivors in Florida. This research has provided the foundation for my Honors in the Major research on the impact nonconsensual pornography has on young women and its components as a hate crime. This opportunity has enhanced my quantitative and qualitative research skills, along with my editing, writing, and administrative skills. Conducting research at the Center has taught me that valuable work is not always easy, rather necessary for social change."

"Working with CAHR has been the highlight of my law school experience. This summer I was able to deepen my knowledge of U.S. Safe Harbor Laws and current practices on the treatment for victims of human trafficking. This experience has allowed me to further develop my research skills and hopefully make a positive contribution to policy work in this area."

"My research experience with the Center for the Advancement of Human Rights allowed me to learn about the intricate and complex history of Confederate memorialization in the United States. The research we conducted found that Confederate monuments are disproportionately located in predominately Black communities and that the presence of a monument is associated with increased rates of anti-Black hate crime. I hope that this research will go a long way toward understanding the unique impact of Confederate memorialization on Black communities."

"This experience was breathtaking, it allowed me to understand and flourish my passion for the interwovenness of research, higher education and civil rights. This work is necessary and we have to continue to bring humanity to all institutions."

"No doubt, my research into the Contextual Factors that Lead to Lethal Shootings of Unarmed Citizens by Police would not have been nearly as fruitful without support from the Center For the Advancement of Human Rights. They helped so incredibly much to help steer me towards new heights and new understanding that without them would have been impossible."

"By participating in these seminars and interacting with a diverse set of ethical issues, perspectives, and faculty members, I am continually and significantly challenged to see the world outside myself. The past and future opportunities to work alongside the CAHR has broadened my horizon and pushed my academic interests beyond the classroom."

"While my placement at the International Bar Association only lasted 12 weeks, the experience will last a lifetime. I know the people I met and worked with everyday will be a lifelong network of colleagues. I worked alongside 9 other interns from around the world. Each one of us were aspiring students studying law hoping to work in international human rights."

"Examining U.S. state laws relating to safe harbor provisions and protections for commercial sexual exploitation of children highlighted our nation’s commitment to ending modern slavery, innovative solutions to this global problem, and the immense space to improve in this area of law."

"This summer I had the opportunity to “extern” at the Florida Justice Institute in Miami, where I dedicated about 400 hours of work over a span of 11 weeks. Working with FJI gave me the opportunity to help provide justice for a population of marginalized people who are often forgotten by our society. This summer expanded my skills by introducing me to a different area of human rights law. It has also furthered my interests in human rights by introducing me to impact litigation that protects and promotes the civil rights of underrepresented groups in our society."

"This summer I learned a great deal about the asylum process and various human rights issues, as well as a multitude of skills that will undoubtedly be useful as I pursue a legal career. My experiences at work and with both clients and coworkers were absolutely invaluable and I am thrilled to have had this unique opportunity."

"Whether the accused are guilty or innocent is a matter of law and fact which is to be determined by the Court, but there is no doubt in my mind that they should receive fair and transparent trials. In my opinion, defending any of the accused is also defending our Criminal Justice system which is a great cause. My experience thus far is that members of the Defense Office and the Defense Teams have the best interest of the accused and they seek to further those interests on a daily basis."

"Before coming into this externship, I knew I wanted to focus on international law, but I was not completely sure if I wanted to focus more on the business aspect or human rights aspect, but now I definitely know I want to do human rights work. There are so many different actors involved in human rights, ranging from innocent civilians to high government officials, and it also requires a knowledge and understanding of different cultures, religions, and languages, which makes it all the more fascinating and delicate."

"It is difficult to sum up everything that I experienced and learned in my externship. Overall, I just feel grateful to be given the opportunity to learn and work at FIAC. I am very grateful to everyone involved. I know that I can apply everything that I learned and take it with me on my next venture."

"Over the course of the summer, I helped with three T visa applications. The first was a sex trafficking victim from Taiwan. I was very excited to be able to interview the client myself, in Chinese. I wrote her declaration and did the research on Taiwanese country conditions as well as helped write and coordinate supporting declarations from her case worker and others. I also helped with the T visa applications for two domestic servitude trafficking clients from Mexico."

"As a result of my experience this summer, I have gained skills in nonprofit management that I can use in the nonprofit sector. Further, I have deepened my understanding of human trafficking, learned about human rights leadership and sustainability, and developed independent research skills. As a result of these experiences, I plan to continue to pursue human rights work in both the immediate and long-term future."

"My fieldwork this summer in Ghana serves as a catalyst for my current human rights right work and research. Interacting with community stakeholders opened my eyes to the complex nature of child labor and trafficking in a manner that stateside research could not."

"Being in Washington, D.C. this summer and working with an organization as well-established and diverse as Green America helped me realize that protecting our environment is paramount to the health and prosperity of humanity. Most of all, I realized that there are many facets to approach protection of these rights – from policy campaigns, to community education, to supporting eco-conscious business. My internship with Green America was my first real step to safeguarding environmental rights and I am excited to say that I have found my passion in this field."

"I have fond memories of the beautiful countryside. Guatemala is full of natural beauty and culture, but when people ask me why would I return again. I say to them, “I love the people, they are warm, exciting and full of life even when they are struggling more than you can ever imagine”. It was an emotional experience both good and bad. I spent a great amount of time thinking about my approach to human rights and views of the world. I came home with a great affirmation in people and the ability to persevere in all life’s struggles."

"There is something about being in scenarios like this- doing service, being in another country. It changes you. It is an invaluable adventure and enriching journey, each interaction of the smaller moments that build the days… The time I spent working at the prison has enriched my life in ways I am still discovering."

"Working with France Terre d’Asile gave me the context and tools to better understand the refugee crisis, and think critically about how I can be a resource to those in need. I hope to continue working with France Terre d’Asile in the future."

"I left France Terre d’Asile feeling empowered and enlightened as to specific French language-learning struggles that face the refugee population and steps to further my career in the same domain. I would recommend each person, in his or her own way, to consider how they too can proactively approach the current refugee crisis using his or her talents, profession, or other opportunities."

"This internship has broadened my global perspective and provided with a wonderful group of friends and mentors from all over the world. I’m so grateful for the Center for Advancement of Human Rights who made it all happen!"

"I am so grateful to have had this experience and I now feel like I would be a great asset to any company. FTDA taught me so much in such a short amount of time and gave me clarity on what I want to do in the future. For students it is sometimes difficult to learn certain skills in a classroom environment but thanks to my internship I feel more confident with speaking in French as well as my knowledge in International Affairs."

"Although I was living in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, my favorite part about this summer was coming into the CADA everyday and listening to the not-so-attractive stories of these asylum seekers. The variation in their cases granted me a broad exposure to the many international issues currently faced by millions- issues that usually go unheard of by most on a daily basis."

"The sense of humor exhibited by my students at France Terre d’Asile and their incessant motivation to learn French was truly inspirational to me as their instructor. The energy and positivity they showed me far succeeded my own. As any teacher knows, students have the unconscious power to inspire their instructors; sometimes this power is more forceful than any idea a teacher could communicate to a class. I am certain that my students at France Terre d’Asile taught me more about overcoming adversity, a life lesson far more valuable than any French grammar concept I could’ve taught them."

"In conclusion, this internship enriched my studies and my life in several ways. Firstly, I now have a more concrete knowledge of how France Terre d’Asile works in order to assist asylum seekers into France; secondly, I learned that people of all different nations still believe and see France as the country of the Rights of Man and risk their lives to find a safe haven there."

"We owe a great big thank you to The Center for the Advancement of Human Rights at Florida State University! CAHR aligned with our vision for this project and offered tremendous support for this to take place!"

"Life is still difficult in Haiti. This project combined utility and beauty, which is sometimes forgotten. I look forward to FSU maintaining contact with Mabe and continuing to work with Mabe to provide each other with cherished experiences."

"My journey to Thailand was amazing. It was an intense learning experience for me as a student and as a world traveler. Empathy, a desire to try new things, and a love of diversity and culture were just a few of the things I gained during my time in Thailand."

"Although we had translators, we had to depend mostly on the art in communicating with and understanding the children. We also had the opportunity to observe an accomplished art therapist interact with CPCR staff members, conduct case study reports, and perform a family art therapy assessment. Observing her in action and conversing with her about art therapy was extremely helpful for our professional development."

"Time after time I witnessed that it is not one problem that children and adolescents in South Africa are facing but the combination of many complex social issues that need macro scale interventions, and that the need for basic material things and the restoration of their child rights often outweighs the need, desire, or feasibility of therapeutic assistance. Looking at issues through the lens of community development and sustainable solutions is something that I am now very passionate about and an area where I would like to pursue further experience and training."

"I feel much more experienced in working in a professional environment. I am educationally prepared to continue on with my professional career and after this summer I feel more experienced in administrating an organization."

"My internship gave me insight into the inner workings of my field. I began realizing how active listening, active feedback, reflection and empathetic responding allowed me to undertake proper psychosocial assessment. This experience has allowed me to feel more confident about my future placements because I feel I was well trained from FSU and from my internship."