Legal Definitions - intern

Intern can refer to two distinct concepts:

1. As a noun, an intern is an individual, typically an advanced student or recent graduate, who undertakes a temporary period of supervised work experience to gain practical skills and knowledge in a specific profession or field. This role serves as a bridge between academic study and professional practice, allowing the individual to apply theoretical learning in a real-world setting.

• Example 1: A university student majoring in computer science spends their summer working as an intern at a software development company. They assist with coding projects, test new applications, and participate in team meetings, gaining valuable experience in professional software engineering practices.

  Explanation 1: This student is an intern because they are an advanced learner acquiring practical, hands-on experience in their chosen field (computer science) within a professional environment, preparing them for a future career.

• Example 2: After completing her master's degree in public health, a recent graduate accepts an internship at a non-profit organization focused on global health initiatives. She helps conduct research, develop educational materials, and organize community outreach programs, building her expertise in public health policy and implementation.

  Explanation 2: This recent graduate is an intern as she is engaging in a structured period of practical training to develop professional competencies and gain industry experience relevant to her academic background and career aspirations in public health.

2. As a verb, to intern means to confine or restrict the movement of a person or group, often without trial, especially during times of war or national emergency, due to perceived security risks or hostile sympathies.

• Example 1: During a major international conflict, a government might decide to intern foreign nationals from an enemy state who are residing within its borders, placing them in designated camps to prevent potential espionage or sabotage.

  Explanation 1: Here, "intern" describes the act of the government forcibly confining individuals based on their nationality during wartime, driven by national security concerns rather than individual criminal charges.

• Example 2: In a historical context, following a surprise attack on its territory, a nation's authorities chose to intern a specific ethnic group of its own citizens, relocating them to remote camps out of fear they might pose a threat or harbor disloyal sentiments.

  Explanation 2: This illustrates the use of "intern" as a measure of state control to segregate and confine a population group based on suspicion or perceived disloyalty during an emergency, rather than through standard legal proceedings.