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“Blue Book” traineeship programme
Trainee

Carlos's testimonial

Another way of being a doctor

bearded trainee in front of Berlaymont building
Country of origin
  • Portugal

"Before my traineeship, I mainly worked as a doctor in an intensive care unit, caring for COVID-19 patients. As an ICU doctor, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown me how limited my influence is in combating this threatening viral disease. In a pandemic context, the priority is to be able to protect as many people as possible from getting sick or even losing their lives. 

As a trainee in for the European Commission I gathered some more profound experience within the EU  institutions. I worked for the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety, where I am involved in creating EU policies in the field of health - one of my most significant achievements was the connection of third countries into the EU Digital COVID Certificate system.

I felt that I was still taking care of my patients, but in a different way, I was promoting their travel in a safer environment."