EU/UN type career choice?

Really interested in a career on a world/international level- don't know what degree i should go for in uni. any choices that would be much better than others?
want to do french, possibly mixed with law- would this open many doors?
also anyone know what kind of options are available in that kind of job?
grateful for any advice

Law with French would be good, especially if you are a good English speaker.

Your question opens a lot of cans of worms and shines light into dark international corners. Just accept that most people who succeed in international politics or administration are very good at hiding the truth, playing with statistics, compromising their standards and values, and doing anything that will avoid serious confrontation. I mean anything.

This means that you will have to get close to powerful people by any means you can. That range from internships to blatantly crashing into issues that are close to the heart of the politicians. You will need to get fired up about human rights in some countries (not all, or you will offend friends of the politicians), or global warming (but not to the extent of suggesting that USA, France and China do anything about it), or famine in Central Africa (but not in South America or Indonesia), or pornography (but not in USA, Europe or Russia). It will mean that you lose sleep sometimes because of your conscience. Also, as a woman (I presume) you may find yourself using your charms on rich, powerful, older men in one way or another - even if it's only flirting.

If you can do these things, then you should get on in the international community. Talent and intelligence have little to do with it beyond a decent academic qualfication such as Masters degree.

Do you like the sound of all that?

A law degree opens many doors in the world. Coupled with a language - particularly French or Arabic - opens many doors in the world of international relations.

Bear in mind that for a UN career, you'll probably need to specialise with a master's degree in the particular field you are interested in - be it development, international human rights law, diplomatic sciences or whatever.

You'll also need a good body of experience from volunteering in organisations concerned with human rights / international issues. Internships are always open at UN agencies, Red Cross and all the major NGOs, but you will face tough competition from some very smart cookies.

Go to uni, read Law and French (if you are passionate about both subjects) and study international current affairs like crazy in your spare time. Read the news. Then read independent news online and form a fuller opinion.

Use your uni summer breaks wisely and volunteer in crazy places doing crazy things. That's a really good way to stand out from the crowd.

Furthermore, look at the websites of the UN agencies. They need everyone from translators to typists; development project managers to water engineers; journalists to doctors; logistics management, social workers, chefs even!

You're not gonna walk out of uni and into a high-flying UN job. The way in is through internships and building personal relationships with key decision makers. That sounds a little Machiavellian, but it's the way the world works.

There's a lot of good work which needs to be done, but a lot of frustration and feelings of uselessness ahead of you...

Good luck!