Interning in Germany
Interning abroad is a very rewarding experience, though it can sometimes be difficult to work out all of the details. This post will set out some key steps and challenges to be aware of if you are trying to intern abroad, with a focus on finding and securing an internship in Germany as an American student.
Finding Jobs
Google is your best friend. Although various countries use different means of online postings, you can still find jobs online by searching for the job name, location, and type of position (intern, full time, etc). Indeed is popular in Germany as well, and I suspect in other countries too. One tip: if you can, try searching in the language of your target country. For example, German search results are often better than English results, if only due to more results. However, if you do not speak the native language, it‘s probably best to stick to searching in the languages you do know, as any results might otherwise require language skills.
There are some important tips to be aware of when looking for jobs in Germany. The first is that most of the internships require an absolute minimum of three months, so you will have to spend the most of your summer vacation there. The second is that while Germans are starting to use LinkedIn more and more, they have their own networking platform called XING, which can be a great resource for finding positions. Also, most internships in Germany are unpaid, so make sure you take that into account while doing your budgeting for the summer. Also, generally as an international, your best luck will tend to be with either start-ups or governmental positions.
Changes in Application Format
Each country has a slightly different application format. While it is possible to just use whatever format you are familiar with, putting in the extra effort to adapt your materials to the proper local format shows you are serious about the position. For Germany, this means using a tabular resume (tabellarisches Lebenslauf) as well as a standard cover letter (Anschreiben). A basic introduction to formatting these can be found here: https://www.resumecoach.com/german-resume/.
Differences in Valuations of Skills
One of the most important elements of any successful job application is how you present yourself. Yet, the expectations for what this looks like varies from place to place. In the US, we tend to talk about the general trends of our responsibilities in past position, but in Germany, it‘s more important to get as specific as possible in highlighting your skills.
Government and Visa Regulations
Phew, this is a tough one. Visa regulations can change at a moments notice, so while I include a list of all the documents I needed for my German visa below, please be advised that this could change at a moment‘s notice. Imagine how difficult you think the process will be to get your visa, and then double that, to get an estimate that is still likely overly optimistic. This is not to discourage you from trying, just to keep realistic expectations so you can plan accordingly.
If there is any way you can get your visa in your home country, I would strongly recommend that. After arriving in Germany, I had two weeks before my internship started and it still wasn’t enough time to get all the correct documents and have them processed, so I had to start a week late. Lastly, keep documentation on anything you read (print the web page), and the names of any government workers that you talk to. By the time I got my visa I had heard 4 different lists of what I needed from just as many people, and ended up having more than was actually needed at the final appointment. If you are applying to Germany, please feel free to reach out and I am happy to help more based on your specific situation.
Health Insurance (I recommend Mawista if you have a week for them to process your application, and Allianz Global if you need it instantly)
A copy of a letter from your school stating the internship is a required part of your degree (even if it not, your school should be able to produce this if you explain it is needed for visa purposes)
A copy of your bank statements with enough money to cover the cost of living for the duration of your stay in Germany (something like 670€/month, although you should check this as it changes regularly and is sometimes based on your living situation) They might say you need a German account, but I‘d argue with them. Mention that the USD is a very stable currency, and that you will have access to your account while there. Also note that you are only there for a short period of time (if it‘s just an internship) and it doesn‘t make sense to open an account just for a few months.
Documents pertaining to your living situation (I used a letter from my host family explaining they authorized me to stay at their house for the duration of my internship)
The Internship Contract
Biometric Passport Photos (don‘t smile)
Job description
Workplace Culture
Although the workplace culture differences between the US and Germany are not that stark, Germany tends to work at a slightly more relaxed pace. However the culture differs company to company, just like anywhere else, and understanding the specific company‘s culture is likely the most important consideration.
Well, I hope that helps! Applying for work abroad, although with added challenge, can be a very rewarding experience and I hope you get the best of outcomes.
###
Photo is the view of the Elbephilarmonie (Elbe Philharmonic Hall) from the office break room at my internship in Hamburg last summer. Thanks to my friend Nadia for her help on editing this post based on her experience interning in Germany as well.
