Reflections of a EUPHA Internship – October to December 2021
My time as an EUPHA intern has been a gift which I will treasure for a long time. Being a research scientist, in the sphere of lab-based research and R&D for almost a decade, I was seeking to transition and g ain experience in the areas of global and public health, which is why this experience has been invaluable to me. The outbreak of the COVID pandemic was a key driver in my need to engage in these topics, with health taking centre stage in the global conversation. I was seeking an opportunity to work on the wider social implications of science; where real-world evidence and research is used to inform public health strategy for the implementation of effective health policy to benefit all. EUPHA provides a trusted and established platform for public health professionals to discuss, refine strategies and advocate for the improvement of policy. The organisation bridges the gap between research and policy, which is of particular importance in times of health crises.
During my time as an intern, I was remotely based in Athens, Greece, but I was still made to feel welcome and included in the organisation. I was given access to the 14th European Public Health conference, where I was able to learn directly from experts in their field, discussing important public health topics for Europe and the globe. I also took part in mentoring sessions organised by EUPHA and EUPHAnxt with prestigious public health experts. Additionally, I was given the opportunity to support the EUPHA office with their social media message dissemination during the conference which was a rewarding experience for me.
My mentor during the internship, Elena Petelos, has been wonderfully resourceful and supportive throughout the process. Given my broad interests, she exposed me to many different aspects and topics of public health, including health technology assessments, vaccine equity and gender equality, while concurrently encouraging my own independent research into the various topics. A couple of day to day tasks included writing summaries or opinions of current public health strategies, following and supporting key seminars of interest, and aiding in manuscript development. Due to my interest in the Greek pandemic response, she also included me in current topics and issues related to Greece. Her approachable, kind and caring nature makes every interaction a pleasure. She is a hardworking person who is always willing to go the extra mile.
I am very grateful for the opportunity to have been part of EUPHA and I have gained valuable professional insight into the area of public health which will hold me in good stead for the future. I wish to maintain the connections I have made in the organisation and I hope to continue supporting their important work.
Sending you all a truly heartfelt thank you,
Sophia
