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Internship Opportunities
Future leaders in research, business, the arts, and public life need global competency in order to succeed in our increasingly interconnected world. To help outstanding graduate and undergraduate students at the U of M develop these skills, CGES is partnering with two organizations in Germany on unique internship opportunities.
- The USA Goes to Berlin Program is an annual fellowship program that places up to 10 U of M undergraduate or graduate students as interns in English-language classrooms at Berlin elementary schools. Fellows serve as language resource persons. Program dates in 2010: May 29 to June 26, 2010. Eligibility restricted to students enrolled at the U of M. Application deadline: February 8, 2010.
- The USA-Interns Program places American undergraduates in German companies and organizations in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. Over 100 German employers participate. Internships usually last 8-12 weeks; semester-long internships are also available. Students enrolled at any institution of higher education in the USA are eligible. If you are a U of M student and not enrolled in the U's Institute of Technology, please submit your application to CGES. All others apply directly to the Steuben-Schurz Gesellschaft. Application deadline: January 15, 2010.
USA Goes to Berlin Program
CGES in cooperation with the Checkpoint Charlie Foundation, Berlin
The Center for German & European Studies at the University of Minnesota invites U of M students enrolled in any discipline to apply for 1-month internships in English-language classrooms at Berlin elementary schools.
| What? | Live and work in Berlin—one of the most exciting European cities. Fellowship winners will serve as native speaker resource persons/assistant teachers in English-language classrooms at an elementary school. Work with your mentor-teacher at your school M, T, W, and F during regular school hours (20 hrs. max); do guided research and explore Berlin as a group on Thursdays. Participate in organized social and cultural program activities on 3 weekends. Use one weekend as you please. A total of 10 fellowships is available. |
| Where? | Berlin, Germany |
| When? | may 29 (arrival date) to June 26 (departure date), 2010 |
| Who? | Outstanding U of M undergraduate and graduate students in any discipline or field beyond their sophomore year; minimum age 20; demonstrated interest in working with school-age children; German language proficiency desired but not required |
| Fellowship package | Room and board with your mentor-teacher's family or another host family; health and liability insurance for 1 month; public transportation bus/subway pass for June; stipend of EUR 150 for the month; $500 grant to support airfare costs. Airfare support will be paid out after full completion of the program. |
| Addtl. Requirements | All fellows will be asked to submit a report/diary upon conclusion of the program. You will also spend time on an individual research project. All fellows will be asked to visit 2 local schools to share their experience with students. |
| Your cost? | balance of airfare; lunches; personal expenses; passport application fees. |
| Application deadline | February 8, 2010 by 4:30 PM (receipt in CGES offices) |
This program is designed to benefit all partners: the children at your host school, your teacher-mentor, you, the Checkpoint Charlie Foundation, and CGES. All fellows are required to live with their host family for the duration of the program. Participants are also required to participate in the cultural and social program arranged by the Checkpoint Charlie Stiftung (includes opening and closing BBQ). To optimally prepare fellows for this internships, attendance at three group orientation meetings at the U of M is required. See also the box "Addtl. Requirements."
To apply, please submit to CGES, attn. "USA Goes to Berlin Fellowship Program":
- Application form
- Letter of interest that describes how this fellowship fits into your course of study and benefits your career objectives. Please include a statement on your level of German language proficiency (up to 2 fellowship slots are available for applicants with only minimal German).
- Current resume
- Unofficial transcript
- One letter of recommendation from a U of M faculty member (may be emailed directly to ENGEL056@umn.edu)
- Proof of a valid US passport (or proof that you have applied for one; passport renewal/new issuing currently takes a minimum of 3 months, so don't delay)
Time line for decisions and other important dates:
February 8 applications due in CGES offices
Feb. 15-26 brief 15-minute interview at CGES for pre-selected candidates (incl. a few minutes conversation in German)
March 6 announcement of fellowship winners and mailing of award letters
March 12 deadline for winners to accept fellowship awards and terms
W 3/24, M 4/19, and TH 5/6 group orientation meetings (required)
Questions? Please contact Sabine Engel at cges@umn.edu or 612-626-7705. There also will be information meetings for prospective applicants where you also can meet some of last year's fellows: Monday, Nov. 16, 3:30-4:00 PM, room 246 Social Sciences, West Bank campus; and Thursday, Dec. 3, 3:00-3:45 PM, 246 Social Sciences, West Bank Campus.
USA-Interns Program
The German-American Internship Exchange founded by the Steuben-Schurz-Gesellschaft e.V. and the US Consulate Frankfurt
The program organizes summer jobs and internships for American students in Germany and for German students in the US. The program is open to students from all disciplines who will have completed their sophomore year prior to commencing their internship. Over 100 German employers participate. Internships usually last 8-12 weeks; semester-long internships are also available.
Internship program details in brief:
| What? | Live and work in a different cultural environment, improve your language skills, and gain valuable work experience as an intern abroad. |
| Where? | All interns will be placed in companies and non-profit organizations across Germany. Internship opportunities cover all fields - from businesses to the arts and music, the natural sciences to politics/ international relations in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors. |
| When? | Summer 2010 for 8-12 weeks; semester-long internships are also available. |
| Who? | Outstanding undergraduate students in any discipline or field beyond their sophomore year; age 20-30; min. cum. GPA 3.0 |
| Compensation? | Compensation for internships depends on the length of the internship, economic sector, and academic qualifications of the student. In most instances, internships in IT and business-related positions are paid. If you are interested in interning in social services, the arts, media, politics and non-profit organizations, keep in mind that, as in the USA, these will be low-paying or non-paying positions. |
| Application due in CGES Offices | January 15, 2010 |
For full program description and all application materials, see USA-Interns Program.