WHOlights from Week #4

Here are some memorable experiences from my fourth week interning at the World Health Organization:

(1) Attending my first full Stop TB Department meeting as an intern, which was held to discuss upcoming structural changes within the department. It was fascinating, albeit a little frustrating, to watch the bureaucracy and hierarchy at work. When it came to commenting on the proposed structure, everyone seemed to have their own personal interests and grievances. If they weren't bantering about the semantics of a new team name, they were claiming that upcoming project deadlines would need to be met before reallocating people around the department. Only those bold enough to speak up to the department coordinator had their concerns acknowledged. But on the flip side, anyone who had a concern was free to voice it to the department coordinator and would be acknowledged.

(2) Playing in the weekly intern soccer match, WHO vs. ILO, on Wednesday evening. The International Labor Organization had a slight advantage, fielding a number of skilled Italian soccer players. Although I had not kicked a soccer ball around for a couple years, it was a lot of fun to get back out there and take some shots, especially after a long day of work.

(3) Skyping with Salmaan (who has been back in the U.S. for a couple weeks now) to update him on how my internship experience has been so far.

(4) Grabbing pizza with fellow interns Amitahb, Sahil, and Sophie after work on Thursday before heading to intern drinks, which this week took place on a boat on Lake Geneva!