First day on the job. Probably the most stressful day of my life. But, first to the silver lining:
From left to right, we have: the view of Cathedral St-Pierre from my dormitory window, which is where Martin Luther apparently did his schtick in the 16th century (a la "I made Lutherans!" Simpsons fame); a drenched moi mugging for my security badge; and me with Luxme, a fellow intern that was similarly drenched and miserable on our meeting in the security office on our first day at the UN.
As proof that Geneva hates me, my alarm refused to go off this morning (roommate conscienciously woke me up at 730h even though she has work off today). I then failed to get on the right tram and ended up at the Palais de Nations -- where one would logically presume that WHO is, but is not. Then spent 30 minutes hiking around the Palais grounds before encountering a security checkpoint that told me to catch another bus up the hill. Spent 10 minutes trying to elbow through a tour group. Considered giving up. Caught bus. Found out that OMS equals WHO. (Go figure.) Got badge, met Luxme, and my nice supervisor briefed me over lattes.
Spent an hour alternately setting up my e-mail and reading the Human Rights & Health “bible”. Found out (through the “bible”) that I probably shouldn’t bring my weekly copy of the Economist into the office if I hope to keep being an intern.
The World Health Assembly decided to hold its annual meeting in the same two weeks as my first few weeks, so I get to run around with a clipboard and take notes of meetings in the hopes that something resembling a “rights-approach to health” pops up. I also got to listen to Bill Gates talk about health access issues in developing nations and lots about humanitarian crises. There was also a bit from the President of the Republic of the Maldvies, which is cool because I had no idea that the Maldives existed.
I managed to get on 2 wrong buses/trams on my way home, but managed to acquire shampoo and groceries on the way back -- no small feat, considering these darned Swiss still believe in religious holidays and even observe them (my god) by not opening shop. How non-opportunistic and anti-capitalist. Geez.
Hopefully Geneva will show its "thriving" side tomorrow, or I'm going to go nuts. I am mitigating that by nicking what UN swag I can, but all I managed today were 2 postcards and a "Stop TB" pin. Shall do better tomorrow.
From left to right, we have: the view of Cathedral St-Pierre from my dormitory window, which is where Martin Luther apparently did his schtick in the 16th century (a la "I made Lutherans!" Simpsons fame); a drenched moi mugging for my security badge; and me with Luxme, a fellow intern that was similarly drenched and miserable on our meeting in the security office on our first day at the UN.
As proof that Geneva hates me, my alarm refused to go off this morning (roommate conscienciously woke me up at 730h even though she has work off today). I then failed to get on the right tram and ended up at the Palais de Nations -- where one would logically presume that WHO is, but is not. Then spent 30 minutes hiking around the Palais grounds before encountering a security checkpoint that told me to catch another bus up the hill. Spent 10 minutes trying to elbow through a tour group. Considered giving up. Caught bus. Found out that OMS equals WHO. (Go figure.) Got badge, met Luxme, and my nice supervisor briefed me over lattes.
Spent an hour alternately setting up my e-mail and reading the Human Rights & Health “bible”. Found out (through the “bible”) that I probably shouldn’t bring my weekly copy of the Economist into the office if I hope to keep being an intern.
The World Health Assembly decided to hold its annual meeting in the same two weeks as my first few weeks, so I get to run around with a clipboard and take notes of meetings in the hopes that something resembling a “rights-approach to health” pops up. I also got to listen to Bill Gates talk about health access issues in developing nations and lots about humanitarian crises. There was also a bit from the President of the Republic of the Maldvies, which is cool because I had no idea that the Maldives existed.
I managed to get on 2 wrong buses/trams on my way home, but managed to acquire shampoo and groceries on the way back -- no small feat, considering these darned Swiss still believe in religious holidays and even observe them (my god) by not opening shop. How non-opportunistic and anti-capitalist. Geez.
Hopefully Geneva will show its "thriving" side tomorrow, or I'm going to go nuts. I am mitigating that by nicking what UN swag I can, but all I managed today were 2 postcards and a "Stop TB" pin. Shall do better tomorrow.
