I was very happy to learn that I was selected for the UN PGA Fellowship Programme and it came as a very pleasant surprise. I was excited about the prospects of embarking on a truly unique and prestigious experience, whilst also making friends from all over the world. Growing up watching way too many Hollywood movies, my first impression of New York was that the sights and scenes felt strangely familiar even though it was really my first time being here.
The first two weeks were dedicated to a comprehensive and rather intensive training programme conducted by UNITAR and lectures presented by experts in their relevant fields, which gave us a holistic overview of the UN, its main bodies and also equipped us with some useful skills for our personal development. These trainings were incredibly thought-provoking and informative, and it definitely helped build a closer bond amongst my fellow fellows and I, who are all so amazing and have quickly been embraced as a family here in New York.
The following week we officially started working at the OPGA, where we have the privilege of working with teams of highly experienced and talented diplomats representing a rich diversity of cultures and backgrounds. I have been assigned to the Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs Team for the first six weeks, and I am eager to learn and contribute as much as I can under the guidance of my experienced team members.
