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Internships / alternative zur kurzen Auflistung

An internship in Eastern Europe or in an institution, company or publishers cooperating with Eastern Europe can be undertaken as an alternative to project work in a module. An internship is indispensible to a successful entry into a career. During an internship you will learn more about how companies operate, as well as about your own personal strengths and weaknesses, and your wishes for your future career. It will allow you to make important contacts and to gain practical skills in a company working in or with Eastern Europe. The internship will be completed in the lecture-free period following the third semester, and should last a minimum of 4 weeks (full-time) and 8 weeks (part-time). The internship will be awarded with 5 credit points.

Organisation

Preparing the Internship

Before beginning your placement, various preparations need to be made, and numerous formalities completed. It is therefore highly recommended that you begin planning your internship as early as possible.

Visa

If you have decided to undertake your internship in an east European country which does not belong to the EU, then you must apply for a visa and a work permit for this country. Contact the embassy or consulate of the respective country in Germany. Depending on the country, the process of applying for visas and work permits may take several months, and can cost up to €220.

Health Insurance

Taking out health insurance, particularly for non-EU countries, is very much recommended. Many internship positions specifically require proof of such health insurance.

Travel and Accommodation

In order to keep travel expenses to a minimum, it is recommended that you purchase your tickets as soon as possible, in order to benefit from early-booker discounts and cheap flights.

Find out about accommodation possibilities and prices in the respective town/city well in advance of your arrival (e.g. on that town’s internet site), and contact the persons responsible to make arrangements for your arrival.

Applying for Financial Support

An internship will only rarely be paid. Nevertheless, many costs can be reduced through grants, allowances and awards. Start applying for financial support as soon as possible, as most foundations tend to have lengthy processing periods.

Internship Contract

In order to safeguard your own interests, and to avoid being allocated a position and tasks which do not meet your internship objectives, you should make sure to sign an internship contract with the company or organisation at the beginning of your placement.

You can receive further advice on the organisation and sponsorship of internships from the Student Advisory Office. Contact:

Mrs Meike Röhl

Gutenbergstraße 6

35390 Gießen

Tel.: +49 641-99-12136

Fax: +49 641-99-12179

Meike.roehl@zil.uni-giessen.de

meike.roehl@admin.uni-giessen.de

www.uni-giessen.de/cms/internationales

Funding Possibilities

The following institutions may be able to help with financing your internship:

These addresses may also be of use in your search for funding possibilities:

You can also receive further information on funding possibilities in an advisory session at GiZo.