From the Classroom to the United Nations: Reflections on an Inaugural Internship Study Excursion to Geneva

In August, we welcomed the first cohort of MSc Global Public Health (School of Health and Social Care) students, who undertook internships at the Centre for Global Health and Intersectional Equity Research (CGHIER) as part of the programme’s emphasis on applying classroom learning in practice. Through these placements, students strengthened skills in policy analysis, evidence synthesis, and applied research.

As part of this inaugural internship cohort, selected students represented the University of Essex on a study excursion to Geneva, engaging with United Nations organisations and experts shaping global health agendas. These internships and hands-on learning experiences brought classroom teaching to life, offering students direct insight into some of the most pressing historic and contemporary global health challenges, including pandemics, sexual and reproductive health, immunisation, governance, and migration health.

The excursion coincided with lectures on global health governance, which reflected on the achievements of the UN system and the World Health Organization, as well as their limitations, the need for reform, and the critical juncture at which global health now stands. The students’ reflections and questions during this period were thoughtful, critical, and deeply engaged.

Together, these experiences underscored the vital role of education—and of mentorship—in nurturing the next generation of global health leaders. At a time marked by funding cuts, challenges to international cooperation, and growing pressure on multilateral systems, our students’ journeys offered both perspective and hope.

The blogs that follow capture their reflections on learning global health not only in theory, but in practice.

• Reflection from Genève Excursion (8 - 11 October 2025)
• Lessons from the Heart of Global Health
• When the Pages Came Alive: Personal Reflections from Geneva – A visual journey
• Learning from Global Health Governance: Insights from the UN Study Excursion Geneva through Photos
• Reflections from Geneva: Lessons in Global Health and Leadership