A Monash Law Scholar’s Global Impact Journey
An internship with the Australian Mission to the WTO in Geneva, Switzerland was a life-changing leadership opportunity for Jing Wang as an aspiring diplomat and international trade lawyer. The Louis Waller Global Impact Award was the financial support that made it possible. It allowed him to pursue a long‑held aspiration to engage directly with the world’s leading international organisations.
Jing’s journey began with an opportunity that arrived quietly in his inbox.
“Like most Monash Law students I heard about the scholarship via an email. Actually, it was the second time I applied. I always find that second or third time’s a charm,” Jing smiled.
Jing had been exploring international experiences from early in his degree. One placement stood out. It was the chance to undertake an internship with the Australian Mission to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva.
“The opportunity in Geneva with the WTO Mission was something I had thought of doing from second year.”
However, the financial cost made an overseas placement of this scale unreachable without support. This is where the Louis Waller Global Impact Award made all the difference.
Read more about the Louis Waller Global Impact Award
Left: HE Ambassador James Baxter PSM at the Australian Mission to the WTO with Jing Wang.
Jing in front of the WTO building in Geneva, Switzerland
Navigating the Louis Waller Global Impact Award application process
One of the key criteria that students must satisfy for the Louis Waller Global Impact Award was to have been accepted or enrolled into an international leadership program. Given this chicken and egg conundrum (which comes first?), like many students, Jing applied without yet having secured his internship.
“I got the scholarship but had not even been offered an interview for the internship. I had to win the interview, do the interview and then update the Law School on my progress.”
It would be almost two months after winning the Louis Waller Global Impact Award before Jing finally received his internship offer.
Despite the timing challenges, Jing said the Law Faculty’s support helped him stay confident in the process.
“The Law School is very understanding. They understand that these opportunities are not always available throughout the year. So, if something opens up later in the year, then it’s possible to make an application with a proposal of what you want to do.”
His application highlighted what he believed constituted an international leadership program and how his proposed internship aligned strongly with the scholarship’s aims.
“It was international in the sense that it’s in Geneva, and leadership in the sense of being able to work at an international organisation and experience diplomacy and international trade at the highest level.”
He also focused on what it meant to represent Monash Law abroad.
“I see the qualities that define an ambassador for Monash Law as empathy, innovation and excellence.”
More than grateful for the opportunity that the Louis Waller Global impact Award made possible, Jing was candid about the financial reality behind his application.
“I gather they want to support someone who probably couldn’t have made it otherwise, which is certainly true in my case. Three months in Geneva was not possible for me on my own money.”
Read more about the Louis Waller Global Impact Award
Aspiring to global leadership
By the time Jing heard that he had won the Louis Waller Global Impact Award, he was already engaged widely with international and volunteer activities at Monash. In fact, he was about to head overseas as part of the New Colombo Plan.
“ When I applied for the Louis Waller Scholarship and the NCP, I didn't know that I was gonna get, either or any. As it turned out, I decided to shorten my New Colombo Plan program, finish it up in Singapore and fly directly over there.”
“In my application for the Louis Waller Global Impact Award I talked through my journey at the Law School, the volunteering I did, some of the extracurriculars I had planned for overseas and my interest in trade law and investment law.”
The New Colombo Plan enabled Jing to study WTO law in China in the year leading up to the Geneva internship. This experience really paid off when he got to the internship.
“I got to see everything in action and see the textbook coming alive.”
Ultimately, his placement would be with the Australian Mission to the WTO, supported by DFAT. The Mission works with the WTO and the World Intellectual Property Organization, as well as the UN Committee on Trade and Development.
“I was hired by DFAT and the WTO Mission, and they registered me with the relevant international organisations. So as an intern with the Mission, I got to go to both the WTO and UN.”
The main entrance doors at the WTO were an Australian gift back in 1926
Experiencing the intensity of global diplomacy
From the moment he stepped into the Mission, Jing’s responsibilities were broader than he had expected. Only days after arriving, he found himself assisting with the WTO Public Forum, the organisation’s flagship event.
“That was a hectic week.”
“Overall, the role is very diverse. There is general desk research, but there are also opportunities to sit in on and contribute exciting meetings, negotiations and projects.”
In fact, Jing did much more than just sit in on those meetings and at times, he was Australia’s only representative in the room.
“I delivered interventions and statements on behalf of our country. That’s something I think I'll never forget.”
The greatest challenge Jing encountered during his internship with the Australian Mission to the WTO in Geneva was learning to navigate the structure, language and norms of the WTO.
“The first month was me trying to get my head around the jargon, the buzzwords and how the WTO is structured. it takes time and experience to be able to understand those things.”
In those early days, Jing also experienced the expectations of responsibility that would make this experience so meaningful.
“ Something I didn't expect is the responsibility they place on you. They view you as a junior officer instead of an intern who shuffles papers. There was great support from Ambassador Baxter and his team, but equally there were high expectations, as you are representing your country.”
Read more about the Louis Waller Global Impact Award
Memorable moments and lasting friendships
One of Jing’s most memorable days was a near‑miss that became a diplomatic sprint. With the weight of responsibility on his shoulders and the spirit of the Louis Waller Global Impact award behind him, he tackled this leadership challenge head-on.
“I had to print 70 statements for all of the members in a dispute settlement meeting. I was trying to catch a bus to the meeting, and of course it didn’t come. At the last minute, I ran back and got into the diplomatic vehicle with the chauffeur, and they drove me into the WTO. I made it on time and distributed the statements. So that was an experience!”
He also formed friendships with other interns from the Mission and the UN, leading to an unexpected road trip through eastern France.
Jing with fellow interns Angus, Izabella, Audrey and Deborah at the Chamonix, France
On a deeper level, he became conscious of how Australian diversity can be perceived internationally.
“ I realised that not all countries are as lucky as Australia to be as diverse as we are. So, when I walk in with the way I look, there's certain reactions and expectations I wasn’t ready for.”
“On the other hand, in some instances I was able to use my Mandarin skills to speak with representatives from Chinese Taipei and China. That was a really interesting experience, to be able to represent a diverse Australia. It's something that I'm particularly proud of.”
Connecting with Monash Law alumni overseas
At the Mission, Jing discovered that he wasn’t the only Monash Law graduate in the building.
“My direct supervisor, Emily McDonald, was a New Colombo Plan scholar in China. She's a Diplomat at the Australian Mission to the World Trade Organisation and looks after intellectual property and indigenous affairs.”
Jing also worked with Monash Law alum Myoori Seevanayagam who is also a Diplomat and Second Secretary at the Australian Mission to the World Trade Organisation.
These encounters highlighted the strong pathways from Monash Law to international careers.
Australian diplomats and Monash law graduates Myoori Seevanayagam (left) and Emily McDonald (right) with Jing.
Balancing overseas commitments with Monash studies
It probably won’t come as a surprise, but Jing continued his studies at Monash Law throughout his international internship. He says this was only possible thanks to a good plan and a very helpful team at Monash Law.
“Careful course progression planning is important and the team at the law school is very helpful.”
“ Going overseas also means you have access to a lot of electives that partner universities offer, which is one of the reasons I decided to go overseas on exchange.”
Jing also recommends LAW4173 - Research unit for its flexibility. This is a program of individual and independent research and writing on a legal topic which has been approved by the Chief Examiner after consultation with the proposed supervisor.
Jing produced a substantial piece of written legal research (between 5,000 and 6,000 words) under the supervision of an academic member of staff. His research paper aligned closely with his internship, making it a valuable complement to his practical experience.
“It was directly relevant and very rewarding to do at the same time.”
“ Dr Ben Czapnik at Monash Law was actually on posting as a DFAT diplomat at the WTO Mission for three years. I first reached out to him to supervise, but he was unavailable, so I reached out to Dr Elizabeth Sheargold.”
Dr Sheargold’s research is primarily in the field of international economic law, with a particular interest in the intersection between international trade and investment agreements and environmental policy, including climate policy and natural resource management.
“Dr Sheargold is so helpful and delightful to work with despite the time zone differences.”
Submission of Research Paper on WTO Dispute Settlement at the WTO
Honouring the legacy of Emeritus Professor Louis Waller AO
Louis Waller AO was appointed to the Sir Leo Cussen Chair of Law at Monash University in 1964. When he retired at the end of 2000, he was appointed as an Emeritus Professor of Law. From 1968 through 1970 he was Dean of the Law School.
For Jing, learning about the impact and values of Emeritus Professor Louis Waller AO shaped how he approached this opportunity.
“I read the statement the law school released when Professor Waller passed. I remember the then Dean, Professor Bryan Horrigan describing him as a man of many firsts.”
“ For me, this opportunity was the first time I was going to experience diplomacy, to experience international organisations, to go outside of Australia and Asia.”
He could see parallels with the legacy of Emeritus Professor Louis Waller AO in his own journey of stepping into new professional territory.
“The spirit of stepping out of your comfort zone and pursuing opportunities with your best efforts is something I try to mirror.”
Louis Waller AO was appointed Acting Dean of Monash Law at the age of 32. In that role, his fame began to spread and he was much in demand overseas, serving in many academic appointments around the world over the next few decades of his life.
Jing took this exceptional career as inspiration to contribute as fully as possible while at the Mission.
“I tried to be on the ground at the WTO as much as possible and reach out to members to learn about different areas.”
“ I always tried to contribute my skill sets and realise my full potential by contributing as much as I could at the Mission.”
Professor Waller’s credo in his teaching work was ‘accentuate the positive’. Jing applied this credo to his internship and used his language and cultural skills to strengthen his team’s work.
“ Professor Waller used his leadership and legal skills through various roles. I have skill sets in cultural competency, and languages that I’ve developed through overseas studies. So I actually contributed those and my language skills were quite helpful in some instances.”
Advice to future applicants of the Louis Waller Global Impact Award
If you’re wondering what guidance Jing would give to future students who are considering applying for the Louis Waller Global Impact Award, it’s all about purpose.
“It is important to think about what leadership means to you, how your career aspirations and your skill sets fit into leadership qualities and what you want to contribute to society.”
He also encouraged students to think ahead, as in years ahead.
“I applied in May, and my internship wasn’t starting until the September of the following year.”
Above all, he recommended embracing the opportunity wholeheartedly - and if you’re looking for an international leadership program, consider an internship with the Australian Mission to the WTO in Geneva.
“Being able to spend three to five months in Geneva and represent your country is something you will never forget.”