Paula Trepman (’13)

Through the MIT Washington Summer Internship Program, I worked at the World Bank’s Africa Team within the Health, Nutrition, and Population Unit. I analyzed data from government surveys conducted on school health and school feeding policies throughout sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean. I also learned about the World Bank’s role in the African Program for Onchocerciasis Control. In the process, I gained insight into how a multinational organization such as the World Bank conducts policy research, evaluates programs, and procures funding to implement large-scale initiatives. Additionally, I was able to interview key stakeholders in school health programs including officials from Children Without Worms, Save the Children, and the World Food Programme. I also attended seminars given by renowned development experts including Jim Yong Kim, Paul Farmer, and Pascaline Dupas.

My experience at the World Bank provided me with a more holistic view of development and the role of health within the Education, Economic, and Agricultural sectors. It also fueled my passion and commitment to healthcare as a means of eliminating extreme poverty. In the future, I plan to pursue medical school and public health or public policy so that I will be better equipped to advocate for underserved patient populations globally.