Internship Opportunities in Berlin, Germany for International Students
Berlin, a city steeped in history and buzzing with modern innovation, presents a compelling destination for international students seeking internship opportunities. As the capital and largest city in Germany, and the most populous city in the European Union, Berlin offers a unique blend of cultural richness, economic diversity, and a thriving startup ecosystem. This article explores the landscape of internships in Berlin, highlighting popular fields, the practical aspects of interning, and the overall experience of living and working in this dynamic city.
Berlin: A Hub for Internships
Berlin is home to many of the world’s premier scientific and industrial research institutions, as well as many successful local and international businesses. The city has been at the heart of not only European politics and culture, but also world affairs for several centuries. Once the city reunified after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, it became a place best known for its striking contrasts: from classic historical buildings to cutting edge modern architecture, from exquisite malls to traditional markets, and from classical opera to techno and house music. In recent years, Berlin’s economy and workforce has been booming. The city’s economy has seen a resurgence in traditional industries, making it Germany’s largest industrial town.
Popular Internship Fields
Engineering, Marketing, Communications, and Medicine are all popular internship placements where interns will find no shortage of professional networking opportunities. Berlin's work scene is dynamic, featuring a booming tech industry, thriving startups, and a vibrant creative sector. Its laid-back culture promotes work-life balance, making it a hub for innovation. The business world in Berlin is often tightly interwoven with the city's impressive scientific research centers and strong academic institutions.
Technology: Given Berlin's burgeoning startup scene, internships in tech-related fields are abundant. These may include software development, data science, and roles within innovative tech companies. For example, opportunities exist with companies building regulated payment infrastructure or AI-enabled solutions for various industries.
Arts and Media: Berlin's creative industries are responsible for a significant part of the city's GDP, making Berlin an excellent location to intern in an artistic field. Home to strong journalism and film sectors, as well as world-famous fashion and performing arts scenes, Berlin is a great environment for creative individuals to start their careers. With its reputation for experimental and innovative artistic projects, Berlin has long been a haven for the arts.
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Business: Many German and multi-national companies, such as Siemens, have offices in Berlin, however the Berlin economy is truly carried by small & medium-sized businesses. From automotive giant BMW to smaller firms, Berlin business is about staying on the cutting edge of development. A business internship in Berlin provides the skills and international understanding required for an increasingly globalized field.
Non-Profit and Social Impact: Known for its startups, social enterprises, and rich political history, Berlin is ideal for students interested in NGO work, communications, or social science. The city fosters a progressive, experimental work culture that values creativity and critical thinking.
Internship Duration and Timing
Internships in Berlin typically can last for up to six months, and summer is the most popular season for temporary employment (although many internships are made available year round).
Practical Considerations for Interning in Berlin
Language Proficiency
German is the official language and spoken by 95% of the population. German is the language of business, so it would be ideal for interns in Berlin to be at least conversationally adept. While English is a popular second language, especially in cities like Berlin, speaking at least a little German can make your stay more pleasant. Moreover, since English and German are closely related, learning enough German for day-to-day life will be somewhat easier for native anglophones. Although knowing German will provide a lot more opportunities, it is not completely essential. Many internship programs offer language classes and will set interns up with English-language internships.
Visa Requirements
AIFS Abroad offers visa processing services to applicants who enroll into the program by this date.
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Cost of Living
For a major European city, Berlin is affordable, although still more expensive than living in a less urban location. In addition, many of Berlin's neighborhoods are rapidly gentrifying, so housing costs are on the increase.
Accommodation
CIEE Berlin offers a variety of housing options to ensure you're comfortable in your home away from home. Your accommodation preferences will be met in the form of dorms, homestays, and shared apartments. Additionally, all housing options are located in neighborhoods with convenient access to public transportation, shops, and restaurants. Most students live in an on-campus residence hall with a mix of CIEE students and resident assistants.
Transportation
Public transportation makes it easy to get around Berlin, as it is well integrated, cheap, and efficient to use. Modern transportation systems, including the S-Bahn and U-Bahn, connect Berlin to major European cities, while its airports, such as the newly expanded Berlin Brandenburg Airport, contribute to its status as a vital regional hub.
Cultural Immersion and Activities
In addition to day trips and excursions, a cultural calendar of weekly activities and social events is included in your program fee. These activities will include both typical tourist sites and attractions as well as lesser known visits which take advantage of the expert knowledge of our local AIFS Abroad staff and give you a more authentic and insightful view of life in Germany.
CIEE’s excursions and cultural activities in Berlin will open doors for you to explore Germany's rich diversity, language, culture, history, and timeless beauty in ways that will enhance your time abroad. Samples of past excursions and activities:
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- Tour the famous Reichstag, Germany’s iconic parliament building
- Visit the headquarters of a German political party and talk about the future of the European Union
- Get an inside look at Berlin’s thriving startup scene and meet locals at a networking pitch event
Potsdam has authentic charm, rich history, and is a cultural gem. Quedlinburg was once a prosperous trading center in the early Middle Ages. Visit Poland during a trip to its historic capital city, Warsaw. Take a guided walking tour, visit the World War II underground bunker system, and spend free time exploring Szczecin.
Finding Internship Opportunities
Internship Programs
GlobalWorks internships are personalized internship programs that bring you out of the country, and into the workplace. We connect academic study with real-world experiences by providing full-time international internship opportunities to UO students in various career fields. Working with local professional internship providers in locations around the world, we provide individualized placements for UO students. Students earn UO credits and life-changing work experience in a different culture. Immerse yourself in a new city, earn UO course credits, and gain professional experience with a GlobalWorks internship.
Company Websites and Job Boards
Many companies in Berlin, particularly startups, advertise internship opportunities directly on their websites or through online job boards.
Networking
Berlin is one of the world's trade-show capitals, meaning that there are plenty of opportunities for networking. However, the best place to start with your networking is within your internship itself. Many Germans do an internship as a part of their education.
The Berlin Experience: More Than Just Work
When you intern in Berlin, you’ll be able to walk, bike, or take a bus, tram, or train to work. Over lunch, stroll through one of Berlin’s countless parks and gardens. At night, enjoy live music or theater in one of Europe's most exciting cultural centers.
A City of Contrasts and Opportunities
Berlin is a young city, modern and full of opportunities in a wide variety of fields. The city is also home to the world-class museums and greenspaces that typify a European capital city. Cosmopolitan Berliners identify much more with their city than their country, and spending any time on the beautiful tree-lined streets, it's not hard to see why their city is so beloved. Berlin draws people from all over the world, and a significant part of the city's population was born elsewhere.
Etiquette and Business Culture
It is important to know that German business culture is one of planning; people like to know in advance what their day will contain and arrange their responsibilities accordingly. Handshakes are the most common form of greeting in a professional context, paired with the person's surname and title. In addition, it is important to actually greet everyone in a room when you see them; a simple nod or casual wave can come across as giving someone the cold shoulder. Dress codes will vary depending on your internship location, but in general, formal business attire in dark colors is the safest bet.
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