With over 7,000 applications and only 140 spaces, Master of Public Health (MPH) classmates Pegah Shamsipour, Anya Shen, and Francine Darroch were delighted to be awarded a prestigious World Health Organization (WHO) internship.
Shamsipour joined the Food Safety and Zoonoses department and was involved in projects on Leptospirosis as well as monitoring the risk of importation of Japanese food products worldwide, following the nation’s earthquake and radioactive event.
Shen joined the TBTEAM (TB TEchnical Assistance Mechanism): part of the WHO’s commitment to dramatically reduce the global burden of tuberculosis by 2015. “I updated their Expert Roster – a platform that connects clients (country disease programs, ministries of health, etc.) who need technical assistance with TB experts,” explains Shen. “I also established a steering committee and drafted a feedback strategy to help safeguard the quality of technical assistance.”
Darroch, a specialist in obesity, worked in Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion. There she provided assistance to countries implementing new surveillance systems to monitor chronic disease and assess risk factors including high blood pressure, tobacco use, physical inactivity, and obesity.
Darroch notes that she chose Waterloo for her MPH because the online format allowed flexibility and freedom to travel as she did not need to physically attend classes in Waterloo. “Throughout this program I have lived in the USA, Canada, Switzerland, Thailand, India, Nepal and back in Switzerland!” exclaims Darroch. “I have completed two internships, completed consultancy work with WHO, and volunteered with NGO’s in India and Nepal–all while studying and completing school! I think that it would be impossible to achieve the truly well-rounded public health experience I have had if I had opted to study elsewhere.”
All agree their experience in Switzerland was a life-changing opportunity. “Working at WHO provided insights into policy development and the complexities involved in creating policy – and ultimately changes – in countries,” explains Darroch. “It was wonderful to work in an extremely diverse workplace and to meet so many individuals dedicated to making the world a healthier place.”