Week I: Getting the Gist of Geneva
Bonjour from Geneva!
I just wrapped up my first week as a Legal Intern with International Bridges to Justice (IBJ), and the experience is already proving to be personally and professionally impactful. Settling into life in Geneva while contributing to IBJ's global mission has been an exciting challenge.
Let Me Introduce Myself
My name is Sydney Parbs, and I'm originally from Reston, Virginia, about 30 minutes outside of Washington, DC. I recently completed my first year at William & Mary Law School, where I serve as a member of the Student Bar Association, Public Service Fund, and Lawyers Helping Lawyers.
Before law school, I studied Business Management at Virginia Tech, with a concentration in Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Technology and a minor in Leadership & Social Change. My social entrepreneurship and international development interests have taken me from Singapore to Rwanda and now back to Switzerland. I studied abroad in Lugano in 2021 and returned to the same program as a residential advisor and teaching assistant in 2024, making Switzerland feel like a second home.
I'm excited to channel my passion for global justice into this internship and share my weekly experiences through this blog!
Inside IBJ & the Defense Wiki
Founded by human rights lawyer and former public defender Karen Tse, IBJ's mission is to end investigative torture and ensure every person has access to legal representation. With projects in more than 40 countries, IBJ empowers defenders and strengthens justice systems where they're needed most. Karen's vision to treat access to counsel as a fundamental human right has become a global movement.
One of IBJ's initiatives is the Criminal Defense Wiki, a free, open-access resource that breaks down countries' laws and criminal procedures worldwide. Think Wikipedia, built specifically for lawyers and citizens seeking to understand their rights. This week, I began researching and drafting the entry for Liechtenstein, a microstate bordered by Switzerland and Austria.
Liechtenstein's legal system is rooted in civil law and influenced by Swiss and Austrian codes. While legal aid is robust and state-administered, pro bono culture is limited due to the country's high median wealth. These nuanced and practical details make the Defense Wiki such a valuable resource.
If you'd like to explore the Wiki, you can find it here.
Grant Writing & the Skoll Foundation
Alongside my Wiki research, I assisted with a grant application for the Skoll Foundation, one of IBJ's most promising opportunities this year. Founded by Jeff Skoll, the first president of eBay, the Skoll Foundation is a global leader in supporting social entrepreneurs who drive systemic change. By investing in bold, scalable innovations, it aims to address the world's most pressing problems, like health, education, inequality, and justice.
Skoll doesn't just provide funding; it builds ecosystems. The foundation connects global changemakers through its Skoll Awards for Social Innovation and the Skoll World Forum and fuels cross-sector collaboration. For IBJ, securing another Skoll grant would mean more than money; it would further a global community committed to dignity and human rights.
This week, I helped draft early responses, brainstorm ideas, and explore how IBJ could uniquely contribute to Skoll's network. As foreign aid tightens, this application could open doors for IBJ’s continued impact.
More about Skoll here.
Beyond Work
On my first day, I joined a farewell lunch for two outgoing interns, a warm, unexpected welcome to the team. Since then, I've spent lunch breaks along Lake Geneva with fellow interns, explored the city, and swapped book recs (thanks to Karen Hirschfeld, The Dance of Life by Edward T. Hall is now on my list).
Outside the office, I've slowly adjusted to Swiss life: walking everywhere, reading at Pages & Sips (which I discovered from reading a past W&M intern's blog), and teaching myself French with Duolingo. I’ve always wanted to learn another language, and now I see how essential French is for the kind of international work I hope to pursue.
My walk to work takes me past the Jet d'Eau, one of Geneva's most famous landmarks. Fun fact: the fountain shoots water nearly 140 meters (460 feet) into the air and was originally a pressure release valve for a Geneva-based company in 1886 before becoming a tourist attraction! It's a beautiful part of my daily routine and is quintessential Geneva.
Over the weekend, I took a solo day trip to Chamonix, a resort town in the French Alps known for its stunning views of Mont Blanc, only an hour bus ride from Geneva. Since the cable cars were fully booked, I spent the day wandering through charming shops and cafés and was even mistaken for being British or Swedish because I was "speaking slowly and softly," which apparently isn't very American! The Alpine air and time alone were a much-needed reset.
Finding Purpose in Loss 
This week wasn't without heartache. On Friday, I learned that someone incredibly dear to me, Mama J, passed away back home. Mama J worked in Campus Ministry at my high school and, over the last decade, became a strong maternal figure in my life. Grieving across an ocean is disorienting; Geneva feels so far from everything familiar. While sitting alone in Chamonix, surrounded by its beauty, I found a small moment of peace in reflection.
Being here and doing this work reminded me that justice and dignity aren't just abstract ideals; they are deeply personal and rooted in experience, especially in moments of loss. Mama J embodied compassion and resilience, qualities I hope to incorporate in my personal life and legal career.
Though it's hard not to be home, I'm grateful to be in a place where I can channel grief into something meaningful. At its core, the fight for human rights is about love for people, fairness, and a better world.
À la semaine prochaine,
Sydney