Internships in Germany: Willkommen!

The German National Football (Soccer) Team has won the FIFA World Cup three times and the UEFA European Football Championship another three times. German companies are no less impressive: Adidas, BMW, Porsche, Siemens, Volkswagen, and Bayer to name a few.

With all these big names and accomplishments coming out of Germany, isn't it time you experienced the country yourself with an internship?

Germany Fast Facts

• Main Industries: Agriculture, Automobile Manufacturing, Chemicals, Electronics, Machinery
• Popular Destinations: Brandenburg Gate, Neuschwanstein, the Black Forest, the Cathedral of Cologne, the Romantic Road, Weimar
• Cost of Living: 370 EU to 1000 EU, depending on location and size
• Visa: Either apply before or after entering Germany for a work visa, depending on your citizenship

Popular Internship Fields

• Business: With 34 Global Fortune 500 companies that call Germany home, the opportunities for a business-minded individual in Germany are endless. Interns could work with multinational public companies headquartered in Germany, smaller private companies, and even local, regional businesses. Different types of companies will have different needs, but interns can expect to develop an international perspective on business after completion.

The beauty of the city of Cologne
• Health and Social Sciences: Internships are available for those interested in psychology in psychiatry and social services institutions, hospitals, and clinics throughout Germany. Interns could work with battered women, families, children and adolescents in therapy, the elderly, substance abusers, and refugees. The possibilities are abundant for interns to make contributions to the German community.
• Law: Delving into the German legal system is a unique experience, full of intricacies and intrigue. Interns could be placed in major corporate law firms, learning about taxation, mergers, acquisitions, antitrust and EU laws, labor laws, environmental laws, banking, and media. Sound like a lot? It's worth it.
• Marketing: Germany has a population of over 80 million people, and with so many people come so many different marketing tactics and opportunities. Interns can expect to conduct market research, work with public relations and communications, and develop competitive analyses. Depending on personal preference, skill sets and specific company needs, marketing interns in Germany could also work with social media and web design.
• Politics: Germany has been caught in the eye of politics these days due to its influence in the European Union. Political internships in Germany are a great way to experience the country's unique political tendencies and structure. Placements can be found in mayor's offices, municipal offices, lobby groups, as well as the Bundestag, the Federal Parliament of Germany.

The Historical Berlin Cathedral

Planning Your Internship in Germany

When and Where to Look for an Internship:

As Germany's capital city, Berlin is home to many major companies and will definitely be an important place for anyone looking to intern in Germany. However, other smaller cities such as Cologne and Bonn also present great opportunities. Cologne has a large metropolitan and industrial area. Bonn is home to beautiful art and architecture for those interested in museum internships. Internships are available throughout the year, depending on your placement program.

Cost of Living in Germany:

According to Numbeo, an average one-bedroom apartment in the city center will cost about 500 EU per month, while a similar apartment will cost about 370 EU per month outside the city. Similar patterns occur with larger sized apartments. Some placement programs offer their own housing, check with your provider regarding living arrangments.

The Christmas Market in Dresden

Work Culture in Germany:

• Etiquette: Germans often work a much shorter week, usually about 35 hours. However, there is a strong culture of high productivity - there is very little time spent socializing or chatting. Management culture is often very hierarchical. Meetings run on strict agendas and schedules; lateness is generally not tolerated in the German business environment. There is also an emphasis on group efforts and teamwork; attempts to advance individually may be looked down on. Dressing for business situations is often quite conservative and muted; accessories should be kept to a mild minimum.
• Language: Because Germans learn English in school and many Germans speak English quite well, it is generally the language of choice for business. However, this may also depend on the company you work at and your program's requirements. It is always useful to have a simple understanding of the language and learn a few basic phrases.
• Networking: There are many professional networking organizations in Germany that may fit your needs, such as Wirtschaftsjunioren, Marketing Club and Business and Professional Women Germany e.V. More information about networking in Germany can be found at Managementwissen Online.

Work and Labor Laws in Germany

Currently, there are no legal regulations for internships in Germany. There are talks within the German government to outline specifics for internships, but nothing has substantiated as of now.

The Neuschwanstein Castle

Why Intern in Germany?

Germany is an excellent place to get started in the global economy and gain experience. Interning abroad is highly looked upon across all job markets, and there's no better place than Germany to start

Photo Credit: Christmas market in Dresden - Cologne - Neuschwanstein Castle - Berlin Cathedral