Best Volunteer & Internship Opportunities in Germany: To anyone looking to gain language teaching experience; learn more about other cultures; take part in in a short-term volunteer project; challenge themselves, all while making a tangible difference in a community, the Excellence Center in Halle (Saale), Germany (EC) is a place where all these things can be achieved. Through its dual missions as a language school and community center, the EC serves an important communal role, providing language services to refugees and migrants for little to no charge. However, the ability of the EC to do this would be impossible without its enthusiastic and capable volunteers who provide the irreplaceable communal service of language instructor, mentor, and cultural ambassador.
The importance of volunteer work in Germany cannot be overstated, for it is often the case that many migrants face communal discrimination, barriers to access in schools, and other opportunities for advancement denied to them because of their status. This is not to say that Halle is not a welcoming place for refugees and migrants, but rather that there are unfortunate cases where discrimination denies people willing and eager to learn the opportunity to do so. What separates this program from other volunteer programs in Germany is its strict and focused commitment aiding refugees and migrants with their language needs. This is where you come in.
While being a volunteer in Germany, participants can expect to interact closely with the Arabic community in Halle (Saale). This entails not only teaching at the center but conducting house visits (for some students are unable to make it to the center), community outreach, field trips, accepting invitations to dinners, and much more. Volunteers will interact with a wide range of cultures during their time in Halle; these will include predominantly Syrian, Palestinian, Lebanese, Afghanistan, Iraqi, as well as others.
In addition, to those who are interested in participating in community development and are looking for opportunities apart from volunteering, they will be pleased to know that the Excellence Center has a wide range of internships in Germany available. These Internships are designed to allow participants to take an active, leadership role at the Center and within the Arabic community here in Halle (Saale).
Participants enrolled in an internship can expect to lead social events; direct community outreach; build upon their desired professional skills, whether they be writing, event organization, or a form of social research. Whatever their area of interest, internship participants at the Excellence Center can expect to build their professional and personal expertise while also making an important difference in a community.
Best Volunteer & Internship Opportunities in Germany
Prospecting volunteers have a diverse range of service opportunities available to them through the Excellence Center in Halle (Saale), Germany. Volunteers are encouraged to choose a field of service best suited to their personal skills and interests. In addition to volunteer services, the Excellence Center has various internship opportunities available. These volunteer and internship opportunities include:
The available volunteer programs in Germany provided by the Excellence Center in Halle (Saale), are meant to bestow participants with a wide range of opportunities to give back, while in addition advancing their own personal goals.
Volunteer to Teach English & Study German (1 – 12 Weeks)
Volunteer to Teach English & Study German: This program in Halle (Saale), Germany is designed for anyone looking to gain experience teaching the English language, as well as immersing themselves in German language and culture. Classes will consist of one-to-one sessions between students and volunteers, designed to increase conversational fluidity and listening comprehension.
Further, volunteers are encouraged to use their imagination and creativity while teaching, for it is often the case that teachers will need to adapt their teaching style to their student’s proficiency level and needs. This being said, volunteers will have the entire center’s staff and resources at their disposal and are encouraged to utilize them to their fullest potential.
In addition to teaching, volunteers can also expect 3 hours of one-to-one German language instruction per-week (12 hours a month). These additional language courses are designed to provide volunteers the opportunity for further cultural exchange, immersing them in their cultural field of interest, and providing them the opportunity to communicate outside their language of instruction.
Further, volunteers will closely interact with the Arabic community here in Halle (Saale), Germany: making house visits, being involved in community outreach, and helping manage the center’s day to day operations. Volunteer programs span anywhere from 1 – 12 weeks and are available to anyone willing to apply. If you are looking for a short-term volunteer project, the Volunteer to Teach English and study German program is right for you!
Program Information:
| Program Location | Halle (Saale), Germany |
| Program Fees | 250 € per week |
| Age | 18 – 75 Years Old |
| Duration | 1 – 12 weeks |
| Starting/Ending Dates | (Flexible – Anytime) |
| Program Language | English |
| Days off | 3 days (Fri – Sun) |
| German Lessons | 3 hours a week |
| Required Degrees | None. |
| University Credit | Available |
Volunteer to Teach English & Study Arabic (1 – 12 Weeks)
Volunteer to Teach English & Study Arabic: This volunteer program in Germany is designed for anyone seeking to gain teaching experience, while simultaneously immersing themselves in Arabic language and culture. Volunteers can expect to teach English classes Mon – Fri to migrants and refugees. Arabic classes will consist of one-to-one sessions between students and volunteers, designed to increase conversational fluidity and listening comprehension.
Volunteers are encouraged to use their imagination when instructing courses, this can mean playing games, using flashcards, roleplaying, or any other means of teaching so long as they are effective and constructive. Volunteers will also have the entirety of the Excellence Center’s staff and resources to help them teach and take inspiration from.
In addition to teaching, volunteers can also expect 3 hours of one-to-one Arabic language instruction per-week (12 hours a month). The advent of additional courses is designed to provide volunteers a basic understanding of the Arabic language, as well as a chance to immerse themselves in Arabic culture. These courses will aid volunteers in communicating with their students, in addition to creating the open, friendly atmosphere necessary for constructive cultural exchanges.
Upon arriving in Halle (Saale), volunteers can expect to interact regularly with the local Arabic community. This entails conducting home visits, operating community outreach, and helping manage the day-to-day operations of the Excellence Center. Volunteer programs in Germany span anywhere from 1 – 12 weeks and are available to anyone willing to apply.
Program Information:
| Program Location | Halle (Saale), Germany |
| Program Fees | 250 € per week |
| Age | 18 – 75 Years Old |
| Duration | 1 – 12 weeks |
| Starting/Ending Dates | (Flexible – Anytime) |
| Program Language | English |
| Days off | 3 days (Fri – Sun) |
| Arabic Lessons | 3 hours a week |
| Required Degrees | None. |
| University Credit | Available |
Volunteer to Write About Germany (1 – 2 Months)
Volunteer to Write About Germany: The Excellence center in Halle (Saale), Germany is seeking volunteers for a short-term volunteer project who are passionate about writing, as well as are interested in helping with community outreach. The Excellence Center conducts many forms of community outreach and management: these include organizing local educational and social events for migrants, refuges, and international students. For example, hosting venues where international students can socialize, exchange stories, eat Arabic foods, and exchange cultures in a constructive manner. Further, the Excellence Center has hosted sporting events between internationals and refuges, encouraging a comradeship and helping build stronger community ties.
Our Goal
“Don’t ever diminish the power of words. Words move hearts and hearts move limbs.” – Hamza Yusuf
Words carry the power to motivate people to action, inspire, and be tools of liberation. What the Excellence Center in Halle (Saale), Germany is trying to accomplish with its Volunteer to Write about Germany program is to inspire others to action around the globe for the cause of refugees and migrants everywhere. Once enrolled in the Excellence Center’s Write about Germany program, volunteers will create articles describing the various activities of the Center, especially those regarding community outreach with the local migrant and refugee population in Halle (Saale).
The purpose of these articles is to spread awareness about the migrant community in Halle (Saale), Germany, the Excellence Center, and its activities. Further, by writing articles volunteers will perform an important diplomatic role, being charged with representing the Center, as well as the migrant community in Halle to the world.
What is the Writing Philosophy of the Excellence Center?
The writing philosophy of the Excellence Center is one dedicated to transparency, social awareness, and knowledge of its audience. When writing articles for the Excellence Center, volunteers are expected to be transparent about its day-to-day activities, its goals as an organization, and its involvement with the local migrant community. In addition, volunteers are expected to write with a keen social awareness; this means that when describing the activities of the Excellence Center, the local migrant community, and personal stories of refugees, writers must maintain a level of professionalism and consciousness.
Further, volunteers when writing must maintain a knowledge of their target audience. Articles are meant to reach a wide range of people: students; other prospecting volunteers; those seeking more knowledge about refugees and migrants, as well as Arabic communities and culture; the activities of the Center; or those simply looking for inspiration. Because volunteer’s articles will have a broad audience, their writing should reflect such. This means steering away jargon meant to impress rather than educate, as well as being able to articulate one’s own thoughts clearly and in a concise manner.
This short-term volunteer project includes the following:
- Volunteers must interview students, the Center’s staff, other volunteers and interns, as well as those involved in activities and events.
- The participant has to submit two articles daily (Mon – Fri) to the Center’s staff for review. Articles will be edited in a team environment and fit to the websites’ writing specifications.
- Written articles must not be more than 1000 words and not less than 500 words.
- 3 hours a week of language courses
Specific Program Details:
| Program Location | Halle (Saale) |
| Availability | Year round |
| Educational Degree | All are welcomed to apply. |
| Experience | Not Required |
| Accommodation | Host family or dorm. |
| Starting and Ending Dates | Flexible – (up to the discretion of volunteers) |
| Language Lessons | 3 hours per week |
| Program’s Cost | 300 € per month |
| Age | 22 – 75 |
| Program Duration | 1 – 2 months |
Volunteer in Media & Journalism in Germany
Volunteer in Media & Journalism in Germany: With this short-term volunteer program in Germany, volunteers will be able to practice their desired media and journalistic skills while promoting the day-to-day activities of the Excellence Center. For example, Volunteers will conduct video interviews, write articles describing the Center’s mission, day-to-day actives, refugees’ lives and experiences here in Halle (Saale), as well as the daily life of volunteers. Aspiring photographers can also expect to utilize their photography skills, for participants in this short-term volunteer project will be sent on photographic assignments that document the lives of refugees in Halle (Saale), as well as the Center’s community outreach programs.
This volunteer work in Germany will connect volunteers with the Arabic community in Halle (Saale), as well as locals who work closely with the refugees and migrants. In addition to others, this program offers volunteers the opportunity to reside with a host family, either from Syria or Germany depending on their language interests, connecting volunteers even more with the local community here in Halle (Saale). Further, housing will be located throughout the city, ensuring a diverse range of experiences for volunteers. And although Halle (Saale) is a relatively small city, it is close to other German metropolises and cultural centers, such as Leipzig, Berlin, Dresden, Frankfurt and Weimar.
Why is Media Important for the Excellence Center?
Media is important to the Excellence Center because it informs people around the World about refugees’ experiences in Halle (Saale), how refugees are benefited by the Center’s work, and how the local community has benefited from refugees’ presence.
Further, the Excellence Center conducts many community events designed to foster constructive cross-cultural exchanges between volunteers, native Germans, and refugees. Documenting these events and sharing them with the rest of the world is crucial to spreading awareness about refugees’ experiences and generating constructive cross-cultural exchanges here in Halle (Saale).
What Can I Expect from this Program?
Volunteers can expect to:
- Take pictures and videos documenting the Center’s activities, classes, and social/educational events.
- Help manage the Excellence Center’s social media platforms (mainly Instagram and Facebook), including posts, digital media such as pictures and videos, and general organization.
- Write three articles a week focused on the following topics: the social and educational activities of the Center; daily life of refugees in the Halle (Saale); every day challenges faced by refugees and the Arabic community; and Arabic or German culture.
- Conduct video interviews with locals, refugees; international volunteers and interns about their experiences working with center and residing with local families.
- Creativity is welcomed, if volunteers have particular video or article ideas, they are more than welcomed to put their ideas forward.
General Program Information:
| Program Location | Halle (Saale), Germany |
| Program Fees | 250 € per week |
| Age | 18 – 75 |
| Duration | 1 – 12 Weeks |
| Starting/Ending Dates | Flexible (Anytime) |
| Application Deadline | No Deadline |
| Program Language | English |
| Language Lessons | Arabic or German |
| Educational Degree | Not Required |
| University Credit | Available |
Internship in Germany (1 – 3 Months)
Internship in Germany: This internship program offered by the Excellence Center in Halle (Saale), Germany is designed to provide interns with a culturally immersive leadership experience, lasting anywhere from 1 – 3 months. In order for participants to fully realize their leadership qualities, the Internship in Germany program is divided into four parts – each designed to prepare interns for community leadership. These four parts are as follows: Study German or Arabic, Presentation on Refugee Affairs, Case Study & Teaching Skills, and Community and Educational Activities.
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 depending on their language preferences, as well as varying in length depending on the duration of interns’ program) from Monday through Friday.
- Participants who intern for the minimum one month program will enroll in one week of intensive language courses (20 total hours); Participants enrolled in a two month program will be enrolled in two weeks of intensive language courses (40 total hours), with those enrolled in the full three month program receiving a total three weeks of language instruction (60 total hours).
- The language courses offered focus predominantly on day-to-day communication to improve participants ability to interact with the local community.
Stage Two: Presentations on Refugee Affairs
Interns will participate, Monday through Thursday, in lectures, open discussions, presentations, regarding the circumstances of refugees in Halle (Saale) and Europe at large. This stage in the program is designed to:
- Become informed about how refugees’ in Germany are adjusting to a new society and culture. Further, participants will learn about the many barriers refugees face here in Halle (Saale), such as employment, education, housing, and integration. Participants will then discuss what they have learned, their opinions, and potential solutions in a seminar format.
- Attend lectures on Syrian culture, history, contemporary politics, education, and social structures. Other presentations will address the journey of migration many Syrians made in the years 2014 and 2015, as well as 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.
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.
- The case study will require the internship participant to conduct meetings and interviews with refugees, migrants, volunteers, and community leaders.
- Participants will give a presentation about their research and interviews to the Center’s faculty, staff, volunteers, and other interns.
- Upon completion of the presentation, participants 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.
Stage Four: Community & Educational Activities
Participants will now assume a leadership role in the community, operating classes, designing and conducting workshops, as well as leading community outreach programs. For example:
- 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 operate and design classes for students.
- At the conclusion of their internship, students will provide a 15 – 30-minute presentation detailing their time in Halle, their main takeaways, their most memorable experiences, and any other insights gained that they wish to share.
- Finally, participants will write one article about her/his experiences.
General Program Information:
| Program Location | Halle (Saale), Germany |
| Program Fees | 1500€ per Month |
| Age | 18 – 70 |
| Duration | 1 – 12 Weeks |
| Starting/Ending Dates | Flexible (Anytime) |
| Application Deadline | No Deadline |
| Program Language | English |
| Language Lessons | Arabic/German |
| Educational Degree | Not Required |
| University Credit | Available |
Internship to Teach English in Germany (2 – 3 Months)
Internship to Teach English in Germany: The Excellence Center in Halle (Saale), Germany offers this program to anyone looking to gain English teaching experience while filling a cross cultural leadership role. During their time with the Excellence Center, interns can expect to interact closely with the refugee and migrant community in Halle (Saale).
This entails teaching refugees and migrants conversational English, as well as taking part in community outreach programs such as educational events and social workshops that increase cross-cultural exchanges. Further, interns can expect to be hosted by either a Syrian of German family; this is intended to increase cultural exchange and immerse the intern in the language of their study (Arabic or German).
The Excellence Center in Halle (Saale), Germany hosts interns and volunteers from all over the world. This helps increase the diversity of the Excellence Center and is the driving force behind maintaining its language courses; cultural exchanges; and a productive, friendly environment for learning.
What are an English Intern’s Responsibilities?
Interns can expect to:
- Instruct and design conversational, one-to-one English classes for the Excellence Center.
- Give two presentations: the first focusing on the Excellence Center’s specialty teaching manual and the second on what their life is like in their home country.
- Organize group activities for English Students.
- Enroll in 3 hours of Arabic or German lessons per week.
- Write reports, press releases, as well as perform other administrative tasks for the Center.
- Organize community workshops focusing on important, language related skills, for example: how to write resumes and cover letters, creative writing workshops, how to conduct yourself in job interviews and so forth (we are happy to take new and creative ideas for workshops!)
| Program Location | Halle (Saale), Germany |
| Program Fees | 750€ per Month |
| Age | 18 – 70 |
| Duration | 2 – 3 Months |
| Starting/Ending Dates | Flexible (Anytime) |
| Application Deadline | No Deadline |
| Program Language | English |
| Language Lessons | Arabic/German |
| Educational Degree | Not Required |
| University Credit | Available |
Volunteer and Intern Qualifications
Those thinking about being a volunteer in Germany are naturally expected to have a firm colloquial and grammatical understanding of the English language; however, official teaching and language certifications are not mandatory. What is mandatory is that volunteers are friendly, dedicated, inspired, initiative seeking, flexible, enthusiastic, open-minded, and motivated; all of these being crucial to building the welcoming atmosphere of the Excellence Center that is vital to learning, cultural exchange, and understanding.
Volunteers are not required to know any Arabic or German beforehand. Volunteer opportunities are available for all people over the age of 18 (unless granted special permissions by the EC), with the potential of college credit hours offered for their service.
Learning a new language is a process, as well as is teaching one. Prospecting volunteers are encouraged to apply regardless of previous teaching experience, and to do so with the knowledge that complete mastery of their native language is not required. Volunteers should expect to learn just as much from their time at the Excellence Center as they plan to teach and apply knowing that they will play an important role in the Halle community.
An applicant is required:
- To be over the age of 18 (Unless granted special permissions by the Center).
- Must have a good attitude, as well as be eager and open to learn.
- Must be fluent in English – both native and non-native speakers are welcomed.
An applicant in NOT required to:
- Speak Arabic or German
- Have prior experience teaching English
- Have any sort of teaching certificate.
Volunteer & Internship Opportunities in Germany: Summary
For those looking for short-term volunteer and internship projects and volunteer programs in Germany, the Excellence Center in Halle (Saale) has a variety of programs available to prospecting participants from all over the world. The Excellence Center in Halle (Saale) is where participants can make a difference while also advancing their personal interests.
Whether it be writing, teaching, journalism, or community leadership, the volunteer work in Germany available through the EC is a unique, once in a lifetime opportunity. Being a volunteer in Germany is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can do – apply today and make a difference!
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