Internship at the Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations in Geneva
Scope of Work and Getting Started
I completed my internship at the Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations in Geneva. There, I was primarily assigned to the humanitarian aid team, but I also supported the human rights team. During my time in Geneva, I had the opportunity to observe the Human Rights Council, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), and the Standing Committee of the UN Refugee Agency.
At the beginning of my internship, I was assigned a supervisor who delegated most of my tasks to me. At the same time, I had the opportunity to gain insights into various other areas of work. At first, the internship was fairly quiet, so I had time to familiarize myself thoroughly with the various subject areas with the help of materials provided by my supervisor.
Insights into International Organizations
Although I was already familiar with many international organizations—such as UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and OCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs), the internship provided me with insights that are rarely conveyed in a university setting—such as through participation in informal discussions and negotiations.
In addition, I was able to conduct independent research, for example on new financial restructuring measures in the humanitarian system that became necessary as a result of the new U.S. administration’s policies.
Responsibilities During the UPR Process
During the Universal Periodic Review process, I was independently responsible for several countries. I attended the relevant sessions, took notes, and, based on my notes, independently drafted reports that were subsequently sent to Berlin.
Work at the Human Rights Council I also took on specific responsibilities during the Human Rights Council session. I was responsible for various side events, most of which were organized by NGOs on specific topics. There, I represented Germany and drafted reports for my supervisors. This phase was particularly intense and demanding, which taught me how to work efficiently even under time pressure.
Participation in Negotiations
In addition, I participated alongside my supervisor in numerous text negotiations, including those within the framework of the UNHCR Standing Committee. During these sessions, I documented the positions and requests of the individual states so that they could be used later in further negotiations.
Personal Reflection
Looking back, I would have liked to have been able to take on even more independent tasks. At the same time, I realize that this is only possible to a limited extent within a three-month internship. I have particularly fond memories of the excellent guidance I received and the numerous insights into the work of international organizations.
The internship helped me better understand the “black box” of international organizations, which had often seemed abstract to me before. I also had the opportunity to meet many interesting people and make valuable contacts that may prove helpful to me in the future.
Life and Leisure During My Stay Abroad in Geneva
Living in Geneva
My time abroad was truly wonderful, and I definitely made the most of my time in Geneva. I was lucky enough to live right on Lake Geneva and went swimming regularly.
Since there are very few traditional shared apartments in Geneva, I sublet a room from an older lady. I found the apartment through a housing list provided by the Permanent Mission, which I highly recommend. I was very lucky with my housing: I paid only 650 francs a month, while most others paid around 800 francs. You should definitely take these high rental costs into account when planning a stay in Geneva.
Financing
The embassy paid only 450 euros per month, which is why I financed my stay through my Erasmus+ grant, funding from the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, and child benefits. In general, you should think about financing well in advance of moving to Switzerland, as the cost of living there is very high overall.
Leisure and Excursions
In my free time, I went hiking a lot—for example, on the Salève, Geneva’s local mountain, in St. Cergue, or in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, which is said to have inspired Rivendell in *The Lord of the Rings*.
I also took regular train trips within Switzerland and to France. I highly recommend the trial Halbtax pass for about 30 euros, which lets you ride all Swiss trains for half price. This allowed me to visit Lausanne, Annecy, and Montreux, among other places.
I also really enjoyed spending time in Plainpalais—whether it was for the flea market or the many small cafés. I highly recommend the numerous bakeries in Geneva as well as the TooGoodToGo deals there. You absolutely must try the Pain Suisse, in particular.
Food and Daily Life
Unfortunately, eating out in Geneva is pretty expensive. That’s why we only went out to eat occasionally—for example, to the Bain des Pâquis for cheese fondue or to Parfums de Beyrouth for falafel. I highly recommend both places.
Instead, we often cooked together, which wasn’t just cheaper but also offered a lovely way to spend time with each other.
Personal Highlights
My personal highlight was a trip to Chamonix to see Mont Blanc on the Panorama train. The cable car up the mountain costs about 80 euros, but it’s definitely worth it when the weather is good.
The ferry tour to France in the summer is also said to be very popular—some even include wine tastings. Unfortunately, this tour wasn’t available yet during my time in Geneva.
The regular yellow ferries, on the other hand, are part of Geneva’s regular public transit system. Especially convenient: Public transit in Geneva is free for people under 24.
