GRIP, Internships Abroad Diving Straight Into Global Governance

World Medical Association - Ferney-Voltaire, France

The view outside the airplane window as it landed in Geneva was something you'd see on a post card: big green mountains with snowy tops, clear blue sky, the Swiss flag hanging high on one of the poles, and the people speaking in rapid French. Although beautiful, my lack of language skills disturbed my peace, and I soon found it quite difficult to communicate with individuals across the border, in Ferney-Voltaire, France where I have chosen to live. My tips on adjusting abroad: (1) be extremely open-minded about what you're about to experience, (2) if English is your native language, learn to speak slowly and to truly enunciate your words, you'll appreciate how few times you'll then be asked to repeat what you said, (3) if you're in a country that speaks a foreign language, don't panic, be patient and smile as you ask for English translation, and don't be afraid to ask for English translation! (4) take an hour or two to look up the transportation system and how to get to major places, it will help you when you still don't have mobile data and you need to rely on your memory/good notes/friendly bystanders on how to get to places, and (5) to get to know your city, try walking around rather than taking the bus or uber, it'll help you get a sense of your city's culture and the people.

On my first day at the World Medical Association (WMA), the Secretariat (all of 10 individuals) were planning to have a staff meeting and were excited that I was joining since I was the only intern in the office at that moment. But their staff meeting was no laughing matter – they jumped right into planning for events, the roles each individual would take at the World Health Assembly (WHA - happening the next week), and what were major conflicts to be potentially experienced by the WMA delegation. Towards the end of the conversation, the WMA human rights lawyer looked at me and asked what I was interested in, so I mentioned the intersection of human rights and healthcare. She then pursued to ask whether I'd be interested in speaking on behalf of WMA at the world health assembly, and without question, I immediately said yes. The Secretary-General looked at me and half-jokingly said "Nobody is forcing you to do this!" and I responded with "I think it would be a great opportunity for me to jump right in." And that was how, on my first day of internship, I landed the opportunity to speak on behalf of the WMA at the World Health Assembly, which was taking place at the UN Headquarters in Geneva. I loved my experience at the WHA and was very glad I could represent the WMA and UPenn while I was there. I made friends and saw a little more what global governance looks like. I have yet to decide whether I am a fan of the abstract, high-level thinking that happens at large institutions like the United Nations, but I shall have more on that the next time I blog, and after I attend the UN Human Rights Council session to take place in mid-June!