Western Balkans Internship Program of German Business

Published by Bojana

Deadline: 11 November 2019
Open to: undergraduate students from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia not older than 29 years
Benefits: nearly all of the costs during the preparation of interns in their home countries and their stay in Germany are covered by the Programme

Description

Annually, the Internship Programme offers up to 75 Young Professionals the opportunity to gain practical experience through internships in companies in Germany. University students and young graduates apply their theoretical knowledge they have acquired during their academic education within the framework of their company-specific internships in Germany.

They enrich their studies with practical knowledge, gain further understanding of their future professional developments and set milestones for their professional careers. The Internship Programme gives the scholarship holders an insight into a market economy and corporate culture in Germany. By doing so, scholarship holders become familiar with modern management methods.

The internships last between 3 and 6 months. Scholarship holders are assigned to internship positions which match their academic background. The Internship Programme of German Business offers internships from the entire spectrum of the German economy – both large and small and medium-sized companies provide internships.

The Programme gives Young Professionals the opportunity to gain valuable professional and personal experience in Germany. It provides comprehensive organizational and administrative support and covers most of the costs before and during the internships’ stay in Germany.

After completion of the internship, the scholarship holders are integrated into a very lively alumni network, which regularly offers a variety of further training measures to keep the alumni always up to date with current economic developments.

Eligibility

  • Undergraduate students who are enrolled in the 5th semester or higher when applying, Master or Ph.D. students and young graduates who graduated after January 1st, 2019 are eligible to apply;
  • Candidates’ field of studies should have a focus on economics, business administration, various fields of engineering, agriculture, architecture or journalism;
  • The applicants should not be older than 29 years when applying;
  • A very good command of English is required. German is an asset. Exception: Candidates who apply for an internship in the fields of architecture or commercial law are required to have a good command of German (minimum B2 level);
  • Applicants from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia who study or have completed their studies in one of these countries are eligible to apply. Not eligible to apply are candidates who are enrolled as regular students at universities outside these countries and those who have already completed BA or MA studies outside the region.

Benefits

The Programme provides comprehensive support and guidance in all organizational steps before and during your stay in Germany. Nearly all of the costs during the preparation of interns in their home countries and their stay in Germany are covered by the Programme.

Organizational and administrative support

The program takes care of:

  • Documents needed for the visa application and arrangement of appointments at the embassies;
  • Travel arrangements to Germany and back home;
  • Work permission;
  • Introductory week in Berlin (organization, accommodation, travel arrangements);
  • Mid-term meeting (organization, accommodation, travel arrangements);
  • Program supports;
  • Communication with companies; review and explanation of documents and contracts provided by companies;
  • Search for accommodation and communication with landlords;
  • Administrative steps in Germany (health insurance, registration, taxes).

The program prepares you for your stay in Germany

  • exchange of experience with alumni and mentoring by alumni;
  • preparatory meetings and team buildings in home countries before leaving to Germany;
  • intercultural training during the introductory week in Berlin;
  • Possibility to attend a German course during the internship.

Financial assistance

Covered by the Programme

  • Costs of accommodation and health insurance: Companies either cover the costs directly or pay a sufficient monthly allowance to the interns. The costs vary depending on the city;
  • Monthly scholarships of 550 EUR: The scholarships are sufficient to cover all remaining living expenses during the stay in Germany;
  • Preparatory meetings in home countries;
  • Flight ticket to Germany and back home;
  • Introductory week in Berlin;
  • Train tickets to the internship places;
  • Mid-term meeting in Germany;
  • Train tickets to the airport at return;
  • Up to 200 EUR for a German language course during the internship;
  • Visa is free of charge.

Not covered by the Programme

  • Costs for the translation of documents;
  • Travel expenses in home country to the interview, for the visa application, as well as to the airport and back home.

How to apply?

The application procedure is divided into three parts:

  • an online application in English or German (October – November)
  • an interview in the capital of the respective countries (December – February)
  • and the selection of the proposed candidate by the company (March – May)

Candidates apply for internships in their respective fields of study, not for specific positions or companies. The Programme will forward the profiles of shortlisted candidates to the companies. Candidates should not contact companies in advance. They

For more information, and to apply please visit this website.