What is the ELSA Traineeships programme?
The Student Trainee Exchange Programme, in English ELSA Traineeships (formerly STEP), is one of ELSA’s most important flagship projects, and at the same time one of the main areas of the association. It is a traineeship-finding programme aimed at all ELSA members: undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students, and even young lawyers and attorneys. Through ELSA Traineeships, ELSA members can travel to another country for a set period, which varies depending on the traineeship position, and work at bodies of legal interest such as law firms, companies, courts, universities, organisations and non-governmental organisations. It is an excellent opportunity for those who want to move from legal theory to practice, enrich their CV and gain work experience, all while getting to know new countries and foreign legal systems.
Every year the ELSA network across Europe receives approximately 5,000 applications, while more than 500 trainees are ultimately selected to complete an ELSA Traineeships placement. In fact, around 60% of ELSA members join each year on the occasion of the ELSA Traineeships programme, given that the only condition for participating in the programme is to be an ELSA member.
How does the ELSA Traineeships programme work?
Twice a year (once in the winter semester and once in the spring semester), all available traineeship positions, in more than 30 countries inside and outside the European Union, are published on the official ELSA International website, together with detailed information on each position. By visiting the website, interested applicants can explore the hundreds of placements (over 500) on offer, see the qualifications required for each position and the duties they will have to undertake. As noted above, the duration of the traineeship can vary from two weeks to two years. Once applicants have chosen the positions that interest them, all they have to do is fill in the online form provided on the site, applying for up to three different positions.
During the selection of trainees, there is complete transparency, as the final selection is made by the respective traineeship providers without any intervention from ELSA. The sole basis for assessing applicants’ qualifications is their CVs, their motivation letters and possible interviews. Most positions are also paid or, where they are not, they make sure that certain benefits in return are covered, such as accommodation, meals or travel. In addition, almost every country has a team responsible for welcoming foreign trainees, in order to make their adjustment easier.
Our mission
In the Greek network, large law firms, universities and non-governmental organisations take part in the programme every year (around 30), fulfilling their wish to host trainees from abroad and creating a transnational environment of cooperation and exchange of knowledge and good practices. At the same time, every year we have the pleasure of welcoming young lawyers from all over Europe who have been selected to complete their traineeship in Greece. The ELSA Traineeships team is staffed by the responsible Vice President together with their Special Collaborators at national level, as well as the local Vice Presidents together with their own Special Collaborators. The national group mainly has a coordinating and organisational role, while the three local groups take on finding new traineeship providers in Greece (job hunting), attracting Greek students to take part in the programme (student hunting), and welcoming foreign trainees (reception), with the help of the respective reception teams.
You can find more information about the programme here: https://step.elsa.org/ or contact: professionaldevelopment@gr.elsa.org
