Documenting Home Demolition Orders in Jerusalem, Yasmeen Sobeih, a Human Rights Student at Al-Quds Bard, Interns with the Jerusalem Community Action Center

Al-Quds Bard Human Rights and International Law student, Yasmeen Sobeih, reflects on her internship experience at the Community Action Center (CAC) in the Old City of Jerusalem. She narrates:

As a student majoring in international law and human rights, I was constantly thinking about what my working life would be like after finishing university, so to answer my frequently asked questions I have had to resort to an internship. It was not difficult for me to determine the institution in which I wanted to intern, as I am interested in the field of advocacy, especially for the Palestinian issue. When searching, I found my choice, which is the CAC, an organization affiliated with Al-Quds University.  

During this experience, Yasmeen has worked on myriad tasks and learned new skills. The Center has two main units, a legal services unit that helps Jerusalemites with issues of national insurance, residency, and construction licenses. And the advocacy unit which works on strengthening the structures of society as well as advocating for Jerusalemites' rights on an international level. Yasmeen describes, “I have learned how to professionally take claims and document testimonies from families threatened with home demolition orders issued by the Israeli Government. I learned how to rephrase my questions and listen carefully to these family's stories. I read a lot about the status of these demolition orders and which organizations could help provide support to the impacted families.” Yasmeen adds, “This internship was eye-opening, for me as a Jerusalemite since my family is also threatened with a home demolition order.”

Yasmeens writes, “I am so thankful for Al-Quds Bard College’s support and faculty’s guidance for me while performing this internship at the CAC. The follow-up and the directions I received have made me aware of how important it is for graduates to enroll in internships that hone their skills, prepare them for prominent careers, and expand their networks.