By Clara Weber
Finding an internship can be very challenging, and we all have been at the point of being overwhelmed by the amount of possible internships or sending uncountable emails without getting a single reply. That is the reason why we asked some (former) Euroculture students to answer a few questions about their third semester internship. Be ready for a journey around the world, starting in Kosovo, Austria and the Netherlands over Australia and Canada to come back to Germany, Italy and France.
Kosovo: Rocco Losasso
Where did you do your internship and for how long?
Community Building Mitrovica in Mitrovica, Kosovo for six months.
How did you find your internship?
I searched for various intitutes, NGOs, research centers that were working in the field of political advocacy, lobbying, reconciliation and transitional justice. When I was in Kosovo for a summer school I had the chance to visit Mitrovica and discover more about CBM and I finally decided to apply for an internship there.
Any tips for applying to that internship/for internship applications in general?
This internship is perfect for those students who might have an interest in working in the civil society sector and, in particular, are passionate about minority rights, transitional justice and reconciliation.
Are there any deadlines/specific time requirements?
There was no specific application deadline for the present internship; however, it might be useful to reach out to the organization some time in advance in order to agree on the terms of the internship. The organization usually accommodates a few international students and they are flexible in the choice of the tasks that will be performed, as they try to meet the interests of the intern.
Did you get paid?
No.
How many hours did you usually work per week?
I had to work 8 hours per day; therefore 40 hours per week (sometimes extra hours for attending workshops, activities or meetings with local and national institutions).
What did your daily tasks look like?
Drafting reports of the meeting; assisting the draft of policy briefs; assisting the experts and researchers of the think tank component; contributing to the outreach and communication strategy of the organization; grant writing of projects for the major European and international donors; attending workshops and activities in the framework of the project I was working on.
Did you encounter any difficulties/problems?
At the beginning, I didn’t have specific tasks to perform on a daily basis, as they can change depending on the activities that are being implemented. Therefore, in the civil society sector it is important to know that one needs to have a proactive and flexible mindset, as well as one needs to be creative and come up with proposals and ideas to implement activities.
Sometimes, speaking none of the local languages (Albanian and Serbian) presented a problem in communicating with old people or people who cannot speak English.
What were the highlights of your internship?
The whole internship was very interesting because it provided insightful knowledge of the difficult political and social situation in Mitrovica and Kosovo as a whole. I had the chance to work with youth, vulnerable groups and minorities, and I was deeply involved in the initiatives for reconciliation between Kosovo-Albanians and Kosovo-Serbians.
Living in Kosovo, and particularly in the troubled context of Mitrovica is a very enriching and insightful human experience, as you get to know the context, the history and the current challenges through the perspective of the citizens. Working in the civil society sector in such kind of context makes you engaged on a daily basis and it represents an incredible chance to understand the efforts and the impactful role of non-state actors in the process of reconciliation.
Rocco shares more information about his unique internship track in this insightful podcast episode. It is a podcast series from Euroculture students for their Eurocompetence II project about all sorts of topic related to Euroculture (such as the history of Euroculture, the third semester internship, the IP, life after Euroculture and the job searching process). Listen to the stories of Rocco and Ariana to learn about their experiences of finding a fulfilling placement, managing their daily work lives, and growing personally and professionally throughout their internships.
You can find the podcast on Spotify here.
Austria: Ana Mijatovic
Where did you do your internship and for how long?
I was a Spanish speaking Public Information intern at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Vienna, Austria. My internship lasted for 6 months.
How did you find your internship?
I found it on the UN jobs website.
Any tips for applying to that internship/for internship applications in general?
Apply for as many opportunities as possible if an internship is what you really want! It’s better to have multiple options to decide on then to just fixate on one perfect internship especially if that one is in an EU institution where the competition is usually through the roof. Another tip would be don’t get discouraged by rejections and don’t take them personally. Remember that most people applying for internship vacancies are qualified to do them, so it really comes down to luck and how well your profile fits the team. Lastly, it’s a good idea to talk to alumni or final year students, they can give you ideas on where to apply. I only took UN into consideration after finding out one non-EU alumna of our program did her internship in the UN Office in Vienna a few years back.
Are there any deadlines/specific time requirements?
The internships at UN bodies are not as structured as the ones in EU institutions so they don’t have a set time of the year for applications. Usually it depends on when and for how long they need the interns for. In my specific time, the Advocacy Section of UNODC was adamant for the interns to do at least 3 months but preferably the full 6 months.
Did you get paid?
UNODC is under the umbrella of UN Secretariat so their interns are unpaid. For paid internships in the UN look outside the UN Secretariat umbrella, for example FAO, IAEA, UNSSC, UNICEF, CTBTO, WTO and others.
How many hours did you usually work per week?
I worked 40 hours a week.
What did your daily tasks look like?
My daily tasks ranged from social media content creation in English and Spanish, social media management of global accounts in English and Spanish, translation to and from Spanish, strategic planning, campaign building for UNODC important days or big events or publications, UN conference event covering, tracking KPIs and doing reports.
Did you encounter any difficulties/problems?
The difficulties and problems were mostly related to bureaucratic issues regarding the paperwork needed for the Euroculture program in Udine.
What were the highlights of your internship?
Working in one of the UN’s headquarters surrounded by people from around the world on a daily basis, covering multiple big UN conference with all Member State delegates, covering a side event of UNODC at COP27, working on the campaign for the Femicide brief together with UN Women staff in New York would be some of my highlights.
The Netherlands: Irem Göksenin Ataş
Where did you do your internship and for how long?
I am currently doing my internship in Heineken International in Amsterdam, as a part of the Global Talent & Leadership team, found via this portal. My first role was relevant to creating and executing learning and development programs for the finance function, and now I am involved in organizational learning and development. The internship was initially for 6 months, but I have been offered an extension for another 6 months.
How did you find your internship?
I was looking for opportunities that would still be related to the Euroculture curriculum, but something that could open me new doors and provide me with more options after my graduation. Apart from the job/internship search websites such as LinkedIn and Glassdoor, I was looking at the Netherlands based companies specifically (since I wanted to be in the NL), and go through their internal career portals. That is how I found the offer!
Any tips for applying to that internship/for internship applications in general?
- If you do not hear back after your application (no rejection or no interview invitation), sending a little follow up would not offend anyone. I initially did not get a response from Heineken, which I assumed was an automatic rejection, but they contacted me a month after the initally advertised deadline. Sometimes processes can take longer!
- The same advice goes during your interview process if it is lingering more than expected, I asked for a decision timeline while waiting in between interviews since I needed an answer in a specific amount of time due to other commitments. It helps to highlight how much you are interested in the position, but you have other factors to consider as well. Be persuasive, but not pushy!
- Prepare for the interviews but do not stress to much! Look into what the company has been doing, especially related to your position you are applying for, and voice a few opinions about it. When you are asked ‘do you have any questions for us?’ have some ready, be it related to the nature of the role or logistics such as payment, working hours or reimbursement of commuting expenses.
Are there any deadlines/specific time requirements?
For the applications, it depends on the team/position, but the large intakes happen at the beginning of September and March. I believe I sent my application back in June, had my interviews in August, and started in September.
For the internship itself, you need to be available full-time, in consultation and based on your supervisor, it could also be for 4 days a week.
Also, non-EU students need to be enrolled in a Dutch university to be able to apply (thanks RUG!). I saw that this is a criteria for a lot of organizations in the Netherlands. For EU nationals, any university should be fine.
Did you get paid?
Yes, I receive an internship compensation of €500 monthly, and my commuting expenses are reimbursed (which saves me over €50 a day going in between Amsterdam and Groningen!).
How many hours did you usually work per week?
Officially it is 40 hours, from 9 to 17, but for the first 5 months I was working from 9 to 18, and now there are also days I work past a little after 17. It depends on your supervisor, the workload, and your flexibility. Being flexible but having some boundaries is key!
What did your daily tasks look like?
We had multiple programs running at the same time that required different approaches, but overall I was involved in designing the program sessions with external providers, preparing and issuing communications with the participants, facilitating the sessions, budgeting of the projects, preparing and conducting evaluations, and a lot of planning!
Did you encounter any difficulties/problems?
I have faced some issues with my direct supervisor at first, which was a big learning experience for me. Those things happen, and when they do, it is important to stand up for yourself and look for support. At the beginning, your initial contact and the person who is supposed to show you how the company functions is your direct supervisor, but always have conversations with the rest of your team to get more input. It took me a while to do so, but eventually helped me to put things in context and take the necessary steps for a change. Now I am happy with the current situation!
What were the highlights of your internship?
I got to meet a lot of wonderful people! There are afterwork drinks every Thursday, which is a great opportunity to mingle with other interns and employees. The intern network in big organizations is definitely something to make use of, as more than often you want to consult with other departments. Sending a chat to a fellow intern makes it very easy to find who specifically you should go for the information you need, and they also put in the good word for you!
Also Heineken organizes some great events, such free tickets to VIP tickets Vrienden van Amstel live, intercompany ski trip (this one was my favorite!), afterwork parties every two weeks and more, so you are never short of social activities!
The Netherlands: Lyuba Prilutskaia
Where did you do your internship and for how long?
I did my 6-month internship at Nationale Nederlanden (insurance company) in the Hague, at HR, specifically working on diversity and inclusion.
How did you find your internship?
I found my internship through LinkedIn, I just looked up internships in the Netherlands.
Any tips for applying to that internship/for internship applications in general?
For that one, the most important thing is to be committed to the topic of diversity and inclusion! For internships in general, I would say motivation and ability to learn.
Are there any deadlines/specific time requirements?
It was office work at a corporate with usual deadlines in that, nothing too restraining though.
Did you get paid?
Yes, 650€ was the base + they covered travel expenses.
How many hours did you usually work per week?
The contract said 36 hours, but in reality it was less, as long as I got the job done. I would say on average I ended up working about 30-32h a week
What did your daily tasks look like?
Scheduling meetings, replying to emails from other employees/outside companies about diversity and inclusion at NN, working on ongoing projects (designing plans, collaborating on tasks), preparing events, making power points, writing social media content, analyzing data of various sorts.
Did you encounter any difficulties/problems?
The corporate world was an unusual working environment for me so it took a while to get used to it.
What were the highlights of your internship?
The events, especially the one from the outside! Our company was sponsoring different projects in the Netherlands, so I had the chance to go to a TEDx talk in Amsterdam, some external Pride events, etc. It was so nice that interns were included in those things.
Australia: Eva Wohlage
Where did you do your internship and for how long?
Goethe-Institut Australia in Melbourne.
How did you find your internship?
I was really interested in doing an internship at the Goethe-Institut in general outside of Germany, so I informed myself via their website directly.
Any tips for applying to that internship/for internship applications in general?
In general, it can be overwhelming, so think about specific fields beforehand and take some time to inform yourself – and don’t lose hope if you don’t get rejections or no reaction directly!
For the Goethe-Institut, you have to speak German and mostly also the native language of the country in general, so focus your search on these countries directly. And every location has a different website unfortunately. However, I wasn’t sure if my educational background was fitting but just give it a shot!
Are there any deadlines/specific time requirements?
In general, the internships at the Goethe-Institut in Australia are given kind of early, I was lucky that they just opened it again due to Covid. Additionally, take same time for the visa, for me it was super fast but depending on your country and the circumstances, it can take some time.
Did you get paid?
300€ per month for travelling costs basically. So not really much for Australia unfortunately. However, the Goethe-Institut pays this amount for a lot of countries, even with lower living costs.
How many hours did you usually work per week?
38 hours per week, 5 days normally, sometimes outside of the normal office hours for events.
What did your daily tasks look like?
Social Media work mainly, administration tasks and event management for smaller events.
Did you encounter any difficulties/problems?
At first, my planned internship period was only 3 months, so I needed to think about a compensation. But in the end, everything turned out fine.
Moreover, the German government was shortening the budget and Covid gave some insecurities, thus, bigger events were not possible.
What were the highlights of your internship?
An anniversary event and dinner (50 years), two smaller events we’ve organised and hosted, getting insight in design and social media tasks, but especially the team and living in Melbourne – such a great cultural city.
Canada: Paula Reuss
Where did you do your internship and for how long?
I did a 4-month long internship at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ottawa, Canada. I worked at the department of Culture and Communications.
How did you find your internship?
You have to register on the website of the German Foreign Ministry (Auswärtiges Amt) – German citizenship is required.
Any tips for applying to that internship/for internship applications in general?
You can apply to up to nine cities all around the world. There is no priority listing, so you do not really know where you will end up. To have more chances to get a position, be sure to speak the language of the countries you chose.
Are there any deadlines/specific time requirements?
The Visa process can take very long, don’t underestimate that. Apply at least 4-6 month before you want to start the internship.
Did you get paid?
I got an ‘Aufwandsentschädigung’ of 300 Euros per month. You should keep in mind the living costs in the country you are going to. I went to Canada, and I did underestimate how expensive North America is.
Plus, you have to pay for the Visa, flights, assurance, and accommodation yourself.
How many hours did you usually work per week?
I worked for 40h, plus occasional receptions after work and at events on the weekend.
What did your daily tasks look like?
Conducting and editing interviews; Contributing to the conception and implementation of the Embassy’s cultural programme work; Assisting in the management of the Embassy’s social media channels and website; Support and cooperation with the German intermediaries; Participation in conferences and receptions; Writing documents and reports.
Did you encounter any difficulties/problems?
The main challenge for me was to get along with the amount of money I had and find accommodation. I found it heart to concentrate on Uni during my internship as my workload was already quite high.
What were the highlights of your internship?
I enjoyed working with my team, and spending time with the people I met on the way. I am very happy that I had the chance to get insights into the cultural work of an embassy and what life is like inside the diplomatic community. Overall, I would recommend an internship at the German Embassies. Personally, I am thinking of applying to the Diplomatic School in Berlin after finishing my master.
Germany: Angela Bösen
Where did you do your internship and for how long?
I did my internship at the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO), more specifically in the division for economic diplomacy. Internships there can vary from six weeks to six months. I did the internship for four months as required by the Euroculture master’s programme.
How did you find your internship?
I’m interested in international relations and that’s why the Foreign Office was one of my first ideas for an internship. In Germany, information about the internship option is easy to find on the official website of the ministry.
Any tips for applying to that internship/for internship applications in general?
You apply through an online system which is similar to the ones of the EU institutions. In such cases, it’s crucial to avoid any formal errors. Another aspect is timing: The GFFO advises you to apply as early as possible, no later than six months before the internship period starts. As soon as you know you are interested in an internship at the Foreign Office, apply! In my case, it was even during the first semester. The application process includes a security check, and the signed contract must be sent via post. These things take time. Another thing: I considered that the addressee of the application is a bureaucratic institution. I adapted my writing style in a slightly more formal and sophisticated way. The competence of “written expression” (very important in diplomacy) is one you can show off through your application already.
Are there any deadlines/specific time requirements?
As I stated, the application process includes a few timely and administrative steps that are more difficult to manage while being abroad. Three months before the start of the internship, you are required to send a criminal record. I was in Sweden at the time and couldn’t walk into the local Bürgeramt as usual. Nowadays, the German authorities provide an online service for that but you also need to verify your ID through an application tool. I also sent the signed contract from Sweden via post.
Another particularity about internships in the Foreign service or ministries in general: I have heard of countries’ foreign offices that do not allow interns that study at a university abroad. You could check out other embassies in your country. Sometimes they allow student interns as well and might not have such a restriction. (I have a friend who’s German and did her internship at the US embassy in Berlin.)
Did you get paid?
The GFFO offered at the time 300 euros per month. This year, the remuneration increased to 450 euros per month. Caution: The amount is paid as a one-time transfer after the end of your internship.
How many hours did you usually work per week?
I worked 40 hours per week, a classic 9 to 5 job.
What did your daily tasks look like?
As an intern of the economic division, I organized an internal event with thousands of guests for the German ambassadors and representatives from the economy and industry. This took several weeks of planning and teamwork. Besides, I organized smaller visits at trade fairs for ambassadors, which meant sending invitations and doing the communication work. I created lists and did research on representatives of German international business with a particular focus on aspects like gender parity and the green economy. Then there were also tasks I chose out of my initiative (highly recommendable), like helping to build up a women’s network dedicated to economic policy. Moreover, I engaged in the interns’ initiative within the Foreign Office that organizes activities such as visits to embassies specifically for interns.
Did you encounter any difficulties/problems?
A known difficulty is the slowness of bureaucratic institutions. I often feared that I was annoying someone when asking twice or expressing urgency. In the end, I figured that it’s most important to get my to-do’s done timely, and reminders or clarifications to people are part of the daily work.
Another challenge is the intimidation I encountered by the prestige the workplace carries, emphasized through the enormous building and hierarchical structure. After a short time, I experienced that behind thick walls and closed doors very friendly people can sit. It’s worth trying and to show initiative. I liked to open up to colleagues and to other interns in cases of difficulties. This made it even easier to build connections.
What were the highlights of your internship?
Certainly, I enjoyed two events that took place during my internship: The annual Foreign Trade Day that our division organized and the conference “Shaping feminist foreign policy”. It was super exciting to meet many guests from different countries, to listen to the talks and participate in workshops (participation often requires some extra permission, go for it)! Another highlight to me is the interns’ initiative within the Foreign Office because it gives a platform for us interns to connect and to share our thoughts, maybe concerns. One of our concerns was remunerations and we pushed this issue forward. Besides, we had the chance to visit embassies and organisations in Berlin, which is a unique opportunity to realize as an intern of the Foreign Office.
Italy: Céliane Breuyre
Where did you do your internship and for how long?
I did my internship at AEGEE Firenze, in Florence, Italy for 4 months.
How did you find your internship?
Via Facebook, in a group like “internship abroad, job abroad”.
Any tips for applying to that internship/for internship applications in general?
I think it’s important to write about the things you want to learn in your cover letter.
Are there any deadlines/specific time requirements?
No.
Did you get paid?
No.
How many hours did you usually work per week?
Around 30 hours.
What did your daily tasks look like?
- Organising events and excursions (making phone calls for catering or transport, draft invitations, manage registrations)
- Drafting guided visits, learning them, and guiding tours during the excursions
- Attending events on the European Union and taking minutes (like a meeting on the future of the EU with the regional councillor of Tuscany and other youth associations like the young European federalists)
- Coordinate a team of volunteer language teachers
- Teach French to Italian students
Did you encounter any difficulties/problems?
Language at first, most of my work was done in Italian and I had a B2 level when I started the internship.
What were the highlights of your internship?
The meeting with the councillor of Tuscany (Valentina Mercanti). It was an informal event where we could have a discussion with her. It was great to see that a local politician took time to attend this meeting, cared about the youth, and was ready to listen to their suggestions and thoughts on the future of the EU.
France: Nora Wenderhold
Where did you do your internship and for how long?
I did my internship at Arte in Strasbourg for six months.
How did you find your internship?
I had a friend who did this internship before and she told me about this possibility and this specific internship in the marketing section.
Any tips for applying to that internship/for internship applications in general?
At Arte, it is basically an advantage if you speak both German and French or if you are interested in the French-german cultural and media area.
Are there any deadlines/specific time requirements?
It totally depends on the section. There are no specific deadlines because the internships have different lengths.
Did you get paid?
Yes, 600 per month.
How many hours did you usually work per week?
I worked for 36-38h per week.
What did your daily tasks look like?
- Supervision of the MonARTE membership section
- Maintenance of cultural and media partnerships (GER; FR)
- Collaboration in marketing campaigns
Did you encounter any difficulties/problems?
No, everything went well.
What were the highlights of your internship?
I could establish by myself a cultural Partnership between Arte and a book publisher. Moreover, I was co-organizing the arte-Festival-Tour 2022 and was partly part of the 30th anniversary of arte.
After reading the interviews you are motivated to apply for an internship? Don’t forget to check out EURECA, the Euroculture Information Archive to get more information about Euroculture internships and employability and the information sheet for placement providers. Moreover, you can find detailed interviews with Euroculture students about their internships here.
Good luck with your applications!
Photo Credit: Andrew Stutesman
The Euroculturer 