GRIP, Internships Abroad Global Work from Home

World Medical Association - Ferney-Voltaire, France

Despite knowing that this internship would take place remotely, I decided to move forward with this GRIP program with the World Medical Association (WMA) as it would give me a unique opportunity to learn about global health. This is an especially interesting and crucial time for global health, as well, considering the circumstances of the global pandemic. In my position, I am able to attend many virtual seminars on a myriad of subjects. From universal health care to violence against health care in armed conflict to the obvious health crisis caused by coronavirus, this internship gave me the opportunity to hear about these issues from different international organizations and countries all over the world.

In addition to attending these seminars, my other responsibilities include contributing to WMA’s social media and reviewing their old policies. Their policies are reviewed every five or ten years depending on the type of policy. For example, formal declarations or statements are reviewed every ten years, whereas resolutions on short-term issues are reviewed every five years. My job is to research the issue that the policy addresses and see if there have been any recent developments that warrant a change in the policy. Then I make a recommendation as to whether the policy should be reaffirmed (with or without major or minor revision) or rescinded and archived. Though my co-workers create a low-stress environment and are very receptive and willing to help, this job makes me feel like I’m making a significant impact. These policies are recommended to national medical organizations as the gold standards for medical ethics!

I wish I were able to immerse myself more in the culture of France where WMA is based and physically attend the meetings at the WHO and UN in the nearby city of Geneva, but I still would not give up this internship opportunity. I am trying to make the best of it by listening to some meetings in French (which I have been studying at Penn) and will try out speaking with some of my colleagues. Despite these drawbacks of not being able to work in person, the virtual setting has made my schedule more flexible. The staff are very understanding, too, of our difference in time zones and have adapted the time of their staff meetings so it works for everyone. They have all been exceedingly warm and welcoming, and I hope one day I can visit them in person at their office. For now, I appreciate the opportunities I have, and I am looking forward to the coming weeks!