Moving to Arusha, Tanzania!

Okay, so technically I am not moving to Africa forever, but I am moving there for the semester!  As I sit here preparing this post, I am still in disbelief as to how much my life has changed in just a matter of days.  Last Tuesday started out as any other day, I woke up at the same time, had the same breakfast, went to the same firm, to work on the same Social Security and Workers' Comp claims.  At around mid-morning, my phone alerted me that I had a new e-mail.  I clicked on the mail button, and saw "Acceptance to ICTR internship programme."  WHAT!?!  I had applied for this position in February; needless to say, I had filed that in the "good try, but it's never going to happen" drawer.  Below is a picture of the ICTR located in Arusha, Tanzania. 

Let me explain....

Last Christmas break, I traveled to Tanzania with Seton Hall University School of Law to participate in a study abroad program about human trafficking.  While on our trip, our group was able to travel to Arusha, Tanzania where the United Nation's International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda is located.  We were able to tour the facility, meet with a Prosecutor, and a Judge, and learn more about the work the tribunal is doing to deal with the Rwanda genocide.  Seeing this place, I knew instantly I wanted to attempt to get an internship.  I knew it would be a long-shot, I attend Northern Kentucky University's law school not Harvard, Duke, or another prestigious, well-known law school.  However, upon my return to the Kentucky, I started the lengthy application process.  I worked on the application, tweeked my cover letter approximately 1 million times, and met with Career Services weekly as I prepared to send everything.  It finally went out in late February.  And then, silence.  Not once did I receive word that the ICTR had received the application, read the application, or denied the application.  It was not until July 26th, months later, that I received word that I was accepted into the internship programme, specifically in the Office of the Prosecutor. 

To say that I freaked out is the understatement of the year.  This was something I had been dreaming about for quite some time.  You need to know some prior history before you can really understand I suppose.  In 2006, I spent the summer in refugee settlements outside of Johannesburg, South Africa.  I had always dreamed about going to Africa; I'll admit it had more to do with my childhood obsession with "The Lion King" than any true desire to make a difference.  Anyhow, I ended up connecting with a group that was going, so I jumped on board.  I was there for about a month working among people who were abused and neglected by society.  At that point in my life, I was studying Religion in college with every intention of attending seminary or divinity school.  My whole life I have said "I will never be a lawyer."  You see, my Dad is an attorney.  It was never something that looked fun or appealing.  Again, I never, ever mentioned that I wanted to be a lawyer.  During my time in South Africa, I remember the conversation that changed my life forever.  I was sitting around a burning pile of garbage in the settlement one evening with a man named Fouch.  He was telling me about his home country and the conflict and violence he had grown up knowing.  He told me about the family and friends who had been victims of gross human rights violations.  I was in shock.  I had grown up in little London, Kentucky without a care in the world.  Unbeknownst to me, people were suffering from curable diseases simply because they were poor, dying by the hands of dangerous rebels, and being abused by a government who should have been looking out for them.  I was instantly changed.  I wanted to do something different with my life, something that mattered, something that made the lives of others better.  I went back home, attempting to figure out what changes in my life I should make in order to pursue this new charge.  After talking to my Dad, I decided to try law school.  I could not think of a better way to help others than to be an advocate.  To speak and fight for justice.  It's been a long time coming, this internship.  I tried to quit law school about 2345678923987493874 times (my friends can definitely vouch).  I have not really found an outlet for my passion in the greater Cincinnati, Ohio region.  Needless to say, I was getting very discouraged.  Was I ever going to truly be able to do human rights work?  Was I ever going to return to Africa to work?  I am so thankful for this opportunity. 

Here are a few pictures from my trip to South Africa almost 5 years ago!

So here's the deal, I am taking a semester off of law school basically.  I will be doing a "criminal law externship" so I will only be taking 3 credit hours this semester.  Unfortunately, this is going to put me a little behind in terms of finishing school and taking the Bar.  I will take a full semester in the spring of 2012, a few classes in the summer 2012, and hopefully only one the following fall 2012.  In February of 2013, I will take the Kentucky Bar.  I think it's worth it to take advantage of such an incredible opportunity.  Therefore, I will be leaving Kentucky and the States late August; I am to arrive in Arusha, Tanzania by September 1, 2011.  I will be staying in Tanzania until the first of January.  While I am away, I plan on blogging about my experience.  While I likely will not be able to convey too much information about my work at the ICTR, I'm sure there will be plenty of other things to discuss such as friends I am meeting, food I am trying, and adjustments to living abroad for a few months.  I will have Internet connections, but trying to keep up with each person individually will be pretty difficult; therefore, I think this is the best approach.  Please keep me in your prayers as I prepare to go and also during my stay in Tanzania.  I feel truly blessed to have the love and support of so many people; I can think of so many people who have encouraged and cheered me on as I have pursued my dreams.

Below are some fun memories (and favorite people) from my last time in Tanzania.  Great memories!

To conclude, here is the verse that I have tattooed on my wrist.  It is sort of my motto, a reminder of what's important to me.  Micah 6:8--"What does the Lord require of you, to do justice, and love mercy, and walk humbly with Your God."