My Internship Experience at the UNDP Project Office, Bureau for Policy and Programme Support

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Sodam Ahn

Placement Site: UNDP, Copenhagen

Over the past six months, I have been undertaking my field placement at the UNDP Project Office in Copenhagen, within the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS). More specifically, I joined a compact team under the Global Fund Partnership and Health Systems Team (GFPHST), where I supported two major workstreams: digital health and climate-resilient health systems.

My experience began with contributing to the DIGIT initiative, a digital public infrastructure platform initially launched in Burundi. As the project explored opportunities for expansion into other countries, I assisted in conducting background research, producing visual materials, and supporting internal coordination across country offices. I also joined strategic discussions on how digital tools could be integrated into broader health systems strengthening efforts. It was a valuable learning curve for me to see how data, policy, and technology intersect in real-world development work.

Alongside this, I was involved in planning activities for a solar-powered health facility project in the Solomon Islands. The project aims to enhance climate resilience while improving healthcare delivery in remote areas. I helped prepare stakeholder mapping documents, project timelines, and briefing notes for internal communication. What struck me most was how digital innovation and renewable energy can come together to strengthen primary health care, especially in countries vulnerable to climate change.

Outside of these thematic areas, I also supported the team’s internal knowledge sharing efforts, including preparing PowerPoint decks, compiling briefing materials, and contributing to cross-country coordination between UNDP and its partners such as WHO and private sector stakeholders. This helped me better understand how complex and collaborative global health work is, and how much effort goes into aligning stakeholders across institutions and geographies. Living in Copenhagen added another layer to the experience. I cycled to the office every day, enjoying Denmark’s safe and scenic bike lanes.

I also had the chance to explore European cities like Berlin and Prague during weekends, and learned to balance work and life in a new cultural setting. Navigating the Danish grocery aisles, making homemade meals, and adjusting to the long Nordic winter were all part of the learning journey. Most of all, I was grateful to be treated not just as an intern but as a trusted contributor. I was encouraged to ask questions, offer input, and participate actively in meetings.

Through this placement, I developed not only technical and communication skills, but also a deeper understanding of the realities of working in international development, where ambition meets practical constraints, and where even small contributions can support broader global goals. Looking back, this experience reaffirmed my passion for promoting health equity through innovative and cross-sectoral solutions. I am incredibly thankful to my team for mentoring me and for showing me what impactful, mission-driven work truly looks like.