About the blog

Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to be a humanitarian? Or are you interested in becoming one?

This blog opens a window into the daily lives of aid workers – a world most people will never experience first-hand.

You’ll get all the gritty details: from where they sleep and shower, to what they eat; the home comforts they miss the most; the impact on their personal lives; and how they adjust when they return home.

You’ll hear stories that are funny, nauseating or downright devastating about life in some of the most dangerous, impoverished or exotic parts of the world.

I also share hard-to-find insider tips on how to work for the UN or an international NGO such as Doctors Without Borders, including navigating the many different paths in, the shortcuts and obstacles.

I’m speaking from experience; in 2011, I left a job I loved as a political advisor in Australia, a comfortable life and a beachside apartment, to make a career change into humanitarian and development work.

I’ve since lived in Palestine, Pakistan, back in Sydney, Nepal, Myanmar and now New York, working for the United Nations, Doctors Without Borders and Australian charity The Fred Hollows Foundation.

I’m now privileged to have a network of friends and colleagues around world, from Bangladesh to Haiti, from Iraq to Ethiopia, from Jordan to the Solomon Islands. They work every day to create a fairer world for everyone.

They’re my tribe and my inspiration. I’m proud to share their stories with you.