Internship in Germany Program: For those looking for internships in Europe, looking to volunteer with refugees in Germany, gain experience in community development, and make a difference, all while immersing themselves in Arabic/German culture, the Excellence Center in Halle (Saale), Germany is the place for you! The Excellence Center (EC) operates as a language school and community center for refugees and migrants predominantly of Arab backgrounds, but also those displaced in Africa and Europe. Because of the Center’s dual roles as a language school and community center, it conducts numerous cultural exchange programs designed to build bridges between the Arabic, German, and international community in Halle (Saale). 

The Excellence Center’s mission is to bridge the gaps between cultures, further understanding, dispel misconceptions, as well as create constructive dialogues between different and diverse groups of people. Participants in the Internship in Germany Program will take on various roles, helping construct, implement, and lead the Center’s community outreach programs and other organized educational events. By participating in an internship based around volunteering with refugees, learning German or Arabic, and teaching English, you can actively contribute to community development while becoming part of a family deeply embedded in the international community.

An Immersive Program

Participating in the Internship in Germany Program is a unique way to engage with the local Arabic community in Halle (Saale) while volunteering for personal reasons or interning for academic ones. You will also be housed with an Arabic/German speaking host (depending on their chosen language of study), immersing yourself further in German/Arabic language and culture.

You can expect to interact closely with the Arab community – this means not only attending and conducting class, but also house visits, family cookouts and barbecues, and more!

Teach Refugees English While Learning German or Arabic

In addition to operating as a community center, the EC also serves as a language school, catering to the language needs of the local refugee and migrant community in Halle (Saale). Because of the EC’s dual roles, interns will teach refugees conversational English classes in addition to taking on various leadership activities.

The intention behind interns instructing English courses is that it will also provide them with teaching experience – another valuable tool when trying to bridge cultural divides. But don’t worry, no teaching experience is required!

What is the Duration of the Program?

The Excellence Center offers both a long term (2-3 months) and a short term (1-month) internship program in Germany. The length of interns’ programs will determine the scope and scale of their chosen outreach and educational activities, as well as their level of language and cultural engagement. In reality, the duration of the internship can be decided by the participants, with approval from the EC’s leadership.

Specific Program Details 

The Internship in Germany Program is divided into four stages, the duration of which depends on the participant’s choice to enroll in a long or short-term program. Every stage of the program will provide you with the opportunity to immerse yourself in Arabic/German culture, as well as become more informed about the political and social circumstances of refugees in Halle (Saale). Each subsequent stage builds progressively on the last and ultimately culminates in a community outreach/educational program. 

Stage One: Study German or Arabic

During the first part of their program interns will participate in an intensive language course (either Arabic or German) from Monday through Friday, so they may better understand and navigate the communities they are working within. The total number of language courses offered vary depending on the duration of an intern’s enrollment. The standard course load is 20 teaching hours per month.

• For a month-long internship program participant will receive a total of 20 language hours in one week. For a 2-month program a total of 40 hours of language instruction in two weeks will be provided, and for a 3-month program a total of 60 hours in three weeks.
• The language courses offered focus predominantly on applicable conversation skills to improve participants ability to interact with the local community. 

Stage Two: Presentations on Refugee Affairs

Interns in Germany will participate, Monday through Thursday, in lectures, open discussions, and presentations, regarding the circumstances of refugees in Halle (Saale) and Europe at large. This stage in the program will help you:

• Become informed about how refugees’ in Germany are adjusting to a new society and culture.
• Learn about the many barriers refugees face in their new homes, such as employment, education, housing, discrimination, and integration.
• Learn about Syrian culture, history, contemporary politics, education, and social structures, as well as the journey of migration many made in 2014 and 2015, and how they now navigate the German legal system and laws of asylum. 
• Interact with refugees seeking to understand their day-to-day experiences in Halle, as well as present on the resettlement circumstances of their home country. 

Participants will also discuss what they have learned, their opinions, and potential solutions in a seminar format. These discussions are meant to bring us together, share revelations, dispel misunderstanding, and use diversity to foster empathy for one another while discussing challenges bigger than any one of us.

Stage Three: Case Study & Teaching Skills

Participants will have the option to conduct a case study on a variety of topics: refugees’ resettlement, immigration, education, integration, or another topic they have a strong interest in. Flexibility is a strength of the EC, and projects can reflect your individual field of study. It is not uncommon that this section of the program becomes a journalism project, a media and communication program, or political science case study. This is also when you will gain the skills necessary to teach Communicative Style English classes to refugees.

• The case study will require the internship participant to conduct meetings and interviews with refugees, migrants, volunteers, and community leaders. 
• Participants will take part in discussions and lectures about teaching methods.
• Participants will give a presentation about their research and interviews to the Center’s faculty, staff, volunteers, and other interns and will lead an open discussion based on their findings. 
• Participants will also be required to give a PowerPoint presentation on what they deem to be the best teaching methods for a one-to-one lesson or small groups, to be used in their classes.

Stage Four: Community & Educational Activities

In the final stage of the internship, participants will assume a leadership role in the community, conducting classes, designing and executing workshops, as well as leading community outreach programs:

• Participants will run workshops sharing marketable skills with the refugee community such as CV writing workshops, how to operate photo and video editing software, academic writing workshops, and so forth. 
• Interns will design and teach refugees and migrants personalized classes for students. 
• Finally, participants will write a reflection about her/his experiences detailing their time in Halle, their main takeaways, their most memorable experiences, and any other insights gained that they wish to share.  

Previous examples of the Center’s community outreach programs include professional writing workshops, such as CV/resume writing workshops, organized sporting events and cookouts; art exhibitions and exchanges; as well as so much more! Participants are encouraged to utilize their creativity when thinking of potential ideas for outreach and educational activities. Interns make up a core part of the Center’s mission by bringing in new, creative ideas, fresh perspectives, and talent that help create meaningful change – the sky’s the limit!

Who Can Participate? 

The Excellence Center in Halle (Saale), Germany sees diversity as a strength; multiculturalism as an avenue to broaden understanding; and each individual person as a unique vessel of stories, thoughts, and life experiences. Because of these beliefs, the Excellence Center does not discriminate on any basis in regard to an individuals’ nationality, gender, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other quantifiable means.

A participant in the Internship in Germany Program may come from any number of backgrounds, and so long as they are kind, curious, and willing to learn they will be welcome to the Excellence Center in Halle (Saale), Germany. 

Requirements

This being said, the EC does have a few requirements for those wishing to participate in the Internship in Germany Program: 

• Participants must be least 18 years old (Unless special permissions are granted by the Center’s director and legal guardians) 
• Have a fluency in English, as well as a basic, grammatical understanding of how the language functions. However, to be a native English speaker is not required. 
• A positive attitude and a willingness to learn. 

What is NOT Required

• Any previous knowledge of Arabic or German language. 
• Previous Academic degrees or teaching certificates. 
• Previous experience teaching English. 
• Status as a current student.

Summer Internships in Germany 

While you do not have to be a student to enroll at the EC, this refugee internship program can be extremely beneficial to a university student taking a gap year/semester or international students seeking an internship in Germany.  Our Summer internship in Germany programs are perfect for students seeking international experiences, even in between semesters. There is also university credit available for those looking for an internship to fill school requirements. The EC accepts international volunteers all year long, but the Summer is the most popular time to join our family- and for good reason! The EC provides one of the best rated Summer internships in Europe (see the Reviews section below). 

The experience is open to students of all kinds- bachelors, masters, or doctorates- and open to all fields of study. International students looking for something relevant to Political Science or looking for teaching internship programs may be most drawn to this program, but that is not where the opportunities end! Projects can be made to fit the requirements of Journalism programs, Communication and Media internships, Sociology and Anthropology studies, the Humanities and Arts, and so much more.The EC is for anyone searching for a teaching internship, community development internships, International Relations and refugee internships, or any other sort of internship abroad.

Why Halle (Saale), Germany? 

The city of Halle (Saale), Germany is home to thousands of refugees and migrants who feld conflict in their home countries and sought a more secure life in Germany. Because of the diverse community in Halle (Saale), the city is a unique example of an intersection of Arabic and German culture.

The refugees and migrants in Halle come from a variety of different Arabic and North African countries, including but not limited to Syria, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt. In recent times, the Excellence Center has also welcomed those more recently displaced by the war in Ukraine, and is by no means exclusive or discriminatory. This diversity allows for interns to safely interact with a wide range of individuals from all over the world, gaining new perspectives and dispelling any previously held misconceptions. 

Halle (Saale) is located in Central Eastern Germany, and provides quick access and world famous transportation to nearby cities such as Leipzig, Dresden, Weimar, Magdeburg, and Berlin. While Halle itself is a small city, it is rich in culture and history. It is the location of Martin Luther University, where Martin Luther began his career before launching the Protestant Reformation. It is also the location of museums, art exhibits, historical sights, and some of the oldest standing buildings from before the Second World War.

An intern’s day begins with breakfast at 9:30 (Mon – Fri) with the Center’s staff and other volunteers. Breakfast everyday allows the Center’s members to connect, discuss their plans for the day, as well as creates a positive atmosphere to springboard into their various activities. Following breakfast, interns will either participate in their language courses, or conduct their own English language classes depending on what stage of the internship they are enrolled in. 

A Day in the Life

At noon interns can go into the city and explore new places to eat, or they are welcome to join the Center’s staff for lunch. Further, interns will conduct research such as interviews, historical analysis, plan lessons, and create templates for community outreach, building toward their final research project and communal activity.

During the evening interns are free to explore the city of Halle, its nightlife, as well as it numerous historical sites such as Martin Luther’s home, the temporary home of Napoleon Bonaparte, the Market Church of Our Dear Woman, the Moritz Castle and Art Museum, as well as so much more! Volunteers and staff often organize personal events and go out to the many cafes and bars together, creating personal relationships on top of professional ones.

Benefits and Impact

There are many benefits to the Internship in Germany Program, chiefly among them being your close interaction with the International community here in Halle, and the knowledge that your volunteer services benefit a community in need. The Excellence Center is a community center, and by volunteering here you will be actively making a difference in the lives of others, and providing a valuable service to help refugees find future success.

When you come to the Excellence Center you become a part of our family and will be treated as such. This means participating in the Center’s communal breakfast every morning, taking part in local activities, going out to restaurants with the Center’s volunteers and staff, as well as forging deep and long lasting connections. Even if you only stay a few weeks at the EC, you will become a part of a one-of-a-kind community and family for the rest of your life.

Program Information Overview: 

●     Registration fee: 50€ paid once at registration

●     Placement Test: Free

●     Certificate of completion

●     Fees include breakfast, the accommodation, Arabic or German classes, as well as some visits to different institutions in the city of Halle.

Which Airport Should I Fly Into?

• Leipzig/Halle Airport: To travel from Leipzig/Halle Airport to the City of Halle (Saale) via train takes approximately 25 minutes. The train station is connected to the airport, and one should take good care to board the train heading for Halle (West) and not  Leipzig (East).  
• Berlin Brandenburg Airport: To travel from one of Berlin’s Airports to Halle, volunteers will either need to come by bus or by train once they have unboarded from their flight.
• • To come via bus, volunteers will need to find routes available that are operated by either FlixBus or Eurolines. The commute from Berlin to Halle (Saale) should be approximately 2 hours by bus.
  • For interns wishing to travel from Berlin to Halle (Saale) via train, they will need to depart from Berlin Central Station (Berlin Hauptbahnhof); the commute will take approximately an hour and a half. Train tickets can be bought ahead of time through Deutsche Bahn or conveniently at the train station and airport.
• Frankfurt Airport: Both trains and buses are available to travel from the airport to the city of Halle (Saale) with both commutes taking approximately 3 – 4 hours. Please see above for further information regarding travel from outside airports.

Reviews from Former Participants:

The Excellence Center in Halle has been working with the Arabic Speaking community in Halle since 2018, building a positive relationship and developing our lessons to be as effective as possible.

We continue to strive towards “excellence”: In 2019, we received our first “Go Overseas Community Choice Awards”, recognizing the Excellence Center’s meaningful and unforgettable impact on the community of international travellers. Since then the Excellence Center was recognized as the 3rd best Volunteer Abroad Providers in the World in 2021, and was rated 2nd Most Fun opportunity in 2021 according to Gooverseas.com.

The Excellence Center continues to be a highly rated travel organization across its selection of programs. Check out our many great reviews here:

• +500 Reviews (95%) on Gooverseas.com 
• +100 Reviews (94%) on Goabroad.com
• Participants video testimonials

Summary

The Excellence Center in Halle (Saale), Germany provides an opportunity for you to study and immerse yourself in Arabic and German language and culture. Through the EC’s programs, you will better understand the circumstances of refugees in Germany, as well as how they relate to the politics of Germany and the Middle East. Participants will stay with an Arab or German host to maximize exposure to the target language and culture, giving you a chance to make the very most out of your stay. Through our learn-and-teach approach you will gain leadership and teaching experience. You will use your valuable English skills to serve the local refugees and migrant population as a volunteer.

You will engage in discussions and projects relating to the status of refugees, all while working towards your personal goals. For students, this means a focus on specialization through custom projects and university credit for internship experience. You will make a real difference in the lives of others, and your own. You will become a part of the Halle community, and you will join the Excellence Center family consisting of Arab migrants, German volunteers and residents, a multicultural staff, and fellow volunteers from all around the world.

The Internship in Germany Program offers participants an exclusive, once in a lifetime experience that combines cultural and language immersion, personalized program material, as well as community outreach and aid that time and again be an unforgettable experience for all those involved. Come join the family!

How to apply

If you are interested in participating in our Internship in Germany Program, please, write to us at Info@eceurope.org. We should respond to your initial inquiry within 1 – 3 business days. In the subject line of your email please write “Internship in Germany Program.”

 Upon writing back to you we will attach an application form, which you will fill out and return to us to begin the on-boarding process. 

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