The Agricultural and Natural Resources Policy (ANRP) Internship Program is proud to have recently expanded opportunities for students interested in policy to an international platform. Each semester one student from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is chosen to intern in Rome, Italy with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Rome intern Shelby Lepley – summer 2019
FAO is a specialized Agency of the United Nations system, with a vision for a world free from hunger and malnutrition. The knowledge-based organization has three global goals – eradication of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition; elimination of poverty through increased food production, rural development and sustainable livelihoods; and sustainable management and utilization of natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations.
If selected as the ANRP Internship Program candidate for the semester, the student will work closely with program staff in securing an internship with the FAO that aligns with their career interests. The program cannot guarantee selection into the FAO division of choice as this is entirely up to the hosting organization. Applicants should review the FAO website prior to beginning their application and articulate specific interest areas in their application materials as they relate to the type of work that FAO is doing around the globe. The more specific a student can be in their interests, the better able ANRP Internship Program staff will be to place the student in an internship at FAO.
For example, FAO’s Animal Production and Health division (AGA) has been a valuable partner for the ANPR Internship Program. FAO’s AGA division focuses on several overlapping animal health issues, including zoonotic disease, transboundary animal diseases (TADs), insect-borne diseases, diseases of production, diseases of production and hygiene, veterinary public health, One Health, food safety, strengthening of veterinary systems, and antimicrobial resistance, among others. Previous ANPR interns have been assigned to an FAO AGA officer to work on specific efforts in one or more of these areas.
Internships in Rome, Italy are available during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Summer internships will last approximately 10 weeks and fall/spring internships will last the duration of a Texas A&M full semester (15 weeks).
Living in Rome, Italy
Rome is a beautiful, ancient city filled with people from all over the world. With a history that spans more than two and a half thousand years, Rome is certainly one of Europe’s most historical cities. From eating pizza and gelato while sitting at a street side table to exploring the Coliseum, ANRP interns are sure to have the time of their lives in The Eternal City.
With the highest concentration of historical and architectural riches in the world, Rome was certainly not built in one day! The city is broken up into 13 distinct districts, each with its own unique flare, and is comprised of a sophisticated transportation system, making it relatively easy to get around.
Guides to Living in Rome
U.S. Embassy’s Guide to Living in Italy: Check out this guide (made for Americans!) to living in Italy – from social expectations to travel and security information, this website provides a good glimpse into Italian culture.
Fodors Rome Travel Guide: From seeing the sights and dining at popular restaurants, to shopping and entertainment, Rome has a wide variety of activities that can be added to anyone’s bucket list.
Working for the FAO
As an intern for the FAO students will be privileged to meetings of heads of states, handling confidential information, and doing work that impacts other humans’ daily lives. FAO is located across from Circo Massimo (Circis Maximus), next to the Palantino (Palatine Hill) and Colosseo (Coliseum). With this location, FAO interns find themselves in the middle of the action! From the top level of FAO one can see several landmarks including the Vatican.
ANRP interns are typically assigned to an FAO officer and assist with a particular project during their semester in Rome. Typical intern responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Collecting background literature and cases studies.
- Attending daily briefings on disease intelligence.
- Assisting with the preparation of guidelines and project proposals.