The world is more interconnected than ever, and many of those interactions create huge legal repercussions. International law encompasses a set of rules and norms that govern those interactions, creating a global network of binding treaties and agreements. It covers issues such as trade, the creation and dissolution of states, the use of force, armed conflict, human rights, the environment, labor and maritime laws.

These laws can be enforced either unilaterally by a state or multilaterally through a variety of processes and organizations, including the United Nations. While it is a common assumption that only states have jurisdiction or authority in international affairs, that view ignores the fact that a great many rules are set through informal fora rather than formal ones, and that the moral accountability underlying law is not necessarily tied to the sovereignty of a single state.

As a result, the legal system is rife with potential for misunderstanding and dispute. This is why, as a prospective student of international law, it is important to have an eye for the complex legal nuances and the inherent issues that can arise from the interactions between states.

If you have a desire to travel (although some great international lawyers never leave home), have a penchant for languages or heritage, and want to see how the other half lives, then this is probably the field for you. But be prepared to put in the hours and face a number of hurdles, from navigating political landscapes to settling disputes between giant corporations.