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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 a fellowship program that places up to 15 U of M undergraduate or graduate students as interns in English-language classrooms at Berlin elementary schools. Fellows serve as language resource persons. Program duration: May 31 to June 28, 2008. Eligibility restricted to students enrolled at the U of M. Application deadline: February 15, 2008.
- 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, please submit your application to CGES. All others apply directly to the Steuben-Schurz Gesellschaft. Applications from U of M students must be submitted to CGES. Application deadline: January 6, 2008.
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 research and explore Berlin as a group on Thursdays. Use weekends as you please. A total of 15 fellowships is available. |
| Where? | Berlin, Germany |
| When? | May 31 to June 28, 2008 |
| Who? | Outstanding U of M undergraduate and graduate students in any discipline or field beyond their sophomore year; minimum age 19; 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; health and liability insurance for 1 month; public transportation bus/subway pass for June; stipend of EUR 150 for the month |
| Your cost? | Transatlantic flight to/from Berlin; lunches; personal expenses; passport application fees. Up to four travel grants in the amount of $500/each will be available for partial support of airfare costs. |
| Application deadline | February 15, 2008 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 attend two opening and closing events hosted by the Checkpoint Charlie Stiftung. Upon their return, fellows agree to share their experience at two local high schools during the fall semester and to serve as resource persons at a U of M information event for prospective applicants.
To apply, please submit to CGES, attn. "USA Goes Berlin Fellowship Program":
- 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 15 applications due in CGES offices
Feb. 20-27 brief 15-minute interview at CGES (incl. a few minutes conversation in German)
March 4 announcement of fellowship winners and mailing of award letters
March 10 deadline for winners to accept fellowship awards and terms
S 3/29, TH 4/17, and TH 5/8 group orientation meetings (required)
Questions? Please contact Sabine Engel at cges@umn.edu or 612-626-7705. There also will be information meetings in the first 2 weeks of the spring semester for prospective applicants where you also can meet some of last year's fellows: Thursday, Jan. 24, 2:00-2:45 PM, room 246 Social Sciences, West Bank campus; and Wednesday, Jan. 30, 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. Applications from U of M students must be submitted to CGES.
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, the natural sciences to politics/ international relations in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors. |
| When? | Summer 2008 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 6, 2008 by 4:30 PM |
For full program description and all application materials, see USA-Interns Program.