Lia Gurchiani (LLM '25 | Georgia)

Transcript

So my name is Lia Gurchiani. I'm from Georgia, the country, not the state.

Tell us about your internship over the summer.
Okay, so I had an internship at the United Nations. I was interning at the Georgian Mission. So basically, what I would do is, I would attend high-level high level conferences. I would take talking points. And, at the end of the day, I would go back to the mission, and I would have to present it to the mission. My notes would be used for future negotiations between the countries.

How did you find this internship?
I was just scrolling LinkedIn, and I was trying to reach out to people, trying to find a way. And I found one person who was pursuing the same internship. I literally asked him, "How did you get it?" He showed me the way, step by step. Then I contacted the supervisor himself. Cold emailed, told him who I am, what I do, and what I can do for the mission. And I got hired!

What inspired you to pursue humanitarian law? 
I was eight years old when Russia invaded my country. So I experienced that war firsthand. So I think that was the point when I decided to commit myself to human rights and just peacebuilding.

What are your goals after graduation?
My biggest goal is to work for an international organization, whether the United Nations or the European Union,
for instance.

What advice do you have for incoming LLM students?
My, the most honest, advice would be to study before you start your LL.M. Like there, like so many videos, like YouTube videos, they could help you just get to know, like what it's like, how cases are decided. What cases look like. They would be, a big favor for yourself.