It is natural that you should have many questions about the USA-Interns program. Below you will find more information to the following topics:

Program support
Program services
Internship duration and time period
Position offerings
Internship compensation
Applicant requirements
How to apply
Document format
How to write a German resume and cover letter
Program process
Program fees

Program support

The USA-Interns program was created to provide students with the following support:

Short-term internship placement (up to 6 months)

Our office is unable to provide assistance with internship/ job placements for young professionals or school children.

Program services

We recognize how challenging and expensive finding an internship in a foreign country can be. In order to ensure that students are not deterred from realizing their dream to work abroad due to limited financial means and various not so small hurdles, we have created a project that is there to assist you.

For a select group of talented individuals, our program provides the following services:

• Coordination with employers concerning available positions and possible intern candidates

• Coordination between the employer and applicant once a match is successful

• Application for the work permit waiver

• Orientation seminar and evening event upon arrival in Germany

• Point of contact for participants before, during and after their internship

• Assistance in writing a professional cover letter and resume

Internship duration and time period

Most US undergraduate students participating in the program intern during their summer holidays allowing for internships of 8 - 12 weeks. Students interning during the semester may intern for longer. Students should keep in mind that the longer the internship, the more meaningful the experience will be.

Internship offerings

The types and number of positions varies from year to year depending on the participating businesses. In the past we have had internships ranging from businesses to the arts, the natural sciences to politics/ international relations in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors.

The USA-Interns program has a close relationship with numerous companies throughout Germany. Generally, the companies agree to participate in our program and request profiles of students that match the various divisions of their business. A company may, therefore, request both technical and business profiles. Depending on the abilities of the student and the company’s current need for interns, the company then tries to place their chosen candidate in the appropriate division.

All efforts are made by the companies to involve the student in the daily work processes of each department. The extent to which this occurs depends on the student’s academic background and language abilities. Students early in their majors should expect to predominantly observe their colleagues and be given introductory tasks or translation work. This is an opportunity for students to acquire a basic understanding of the topic. Students in their senior year or who have previously completed internships and thus have hands on experience in the field can expect to be given more project work. For all students, the opportunity to participate in meetings and negotiations, to observe how co-workers communicate with clients, and to practice presenting ones own ideas and work in a real work setting provide valuable experiences for their future career paths.

The employer determines the exact structure of the internship and the work involved. Undergraduates should be aware, though, that employers are not expected to provide highly structured training plans. The USA-Interns program has no influence over the content of the individual internships.

As we cannot predict what new companies and positions will be available in the future, we recommend that students of all disciplines apply.

Internship compensation

Compensation for internships depends on the length of the internship, economic sector, and academic qualifications of the student. In most instances, internships in IT, engineering and business related positions are paid. Unfortunately, certain sectors lack the funding to pay interns. If you are interested in interning in social services, the arts, media, politics and non-profit organizations, students must keep in mind that, as in the USA, these will be low-paying or non-paying positions.

Please be aware that the stipend paid by the employer is unlikely to cover all living expenses. Students should anticipate living expenses to the amount of 750 – 1,000 Euro per month depending on the amount of travel done and the chosen lifestyle (rent ca. 300 - 350 Euro, food ca. 150 Euro, transport pass ca. 50 Euro, insurance ca. 30 Euro, etc.). Students pay their own travel costs. The funds needed may be completely or partially financed through personal savings, parental assistance or internship earnings.

Due to lower costs of living and the high demand for internships by German students in Germany, earnings will be less than that which one might earn in the US. Paid internships usually pay 400 - 700 € per month. Likewise, students seeking a position in a metropolitan capital such as Hamburg or Munich should be prepared for a higher cost of living than elsewhere in Germany. Most employers cannot fully compensate for this.

Although we understand that students have limited financial means and are grateful for financial assistance, please consider that such experiences are an investment in your future and are therefore worth the personal financial investment now. Any practical work experience, particularly in a potential career field, in addition to having been gained abroad, is a major asset when applying for future jobs. Past participants of our program have gone on to get full/time positions at UBS Warburg, Siemens and Citibank to name just a few.

Applicant requirements

Students from any US university may apply so long as they fulfill the program requirements. A student coming to Germany:

• must be a US citizen or permanent resident thereof. A foreign national is eligible if he/she is a full-time student completing a Bachelor’s/ Graduate degree at an accredited US university and will return to the US after the internship to complete his/her degree. Dual citizens may apply. Students on an exchange year in the USA may not apply.

• must be an enrolled student both before and after the internship. A recent graduate may apply, so long as his/her graduation took place no more than 4 months prior to commencing the internship.

• may be an undergraduate or a graduate student; undergraduates must have completed their Sophomore year prior to commencing the internship.

• must be between the ages of 20 and 30. Exceptions exist for graduate students.

• should have a minimum cum. GPA of 3.0. Exceptions exist in certain fields.

• should be able to read, write and converse in German (equivalent to approx. 2 years of German language instruction). Exceptions may exist for graduate students and some majors. It is highly recommended that the student take a German refresher or introductory course prior to coming to Germany. Proficiency in English is required for non-native English speakers.

• must have previously gained some form of work experience (student job, vacation job, clerical work, volunteer work, internship, etc.).

How to apply

To apply, please download the following documents and send us your completed application form and all of the requested documents.

Application Form for US Applicants - pdf
List of Required Documents for a Complete Application - pdf
Language Evaluation Form - pdf

The USA-Interns program has partnered with various universities throughout the US. If you study at one of our partner universities, please send your complete application to the responsible office at your university. Please ask your university for their internal application deadline.

Students not enrolled at one of our partner universities may send their application directly to our office by January 6th, 2007. Late applications are accepted, but will be put on the waiting list.

Bard College
Boston College
Brigham Young University
Cornell University
Dartmouth College
Georgetown University
Harvard University
Iowa State University
MIT
Northwestern University
Notre Dame University
Pepperdine University
Princeton University
University of Chicago
University of Massachusetts - Amherst
University of Minnesota
University of Pittsburgh
University of Texas - Austin
University of Washington
Wheaton College

In addition we accept applicants from US partner universities of the

Fachhochschule Koblenz - RheinAhrCampus
European Business School - Oestrich-Winkel

Document format

As we predominantly use electronic methods to forward applications to our employers, we ask that your resume, cover letter, transcript, course description and language evaluation be sent as a PDF file on a CD-Rom to our office. Please do not send applications via email.

How to write a German resume

Due to mandatory internship requirements for German university students, competition for internships in Germany is high.

To improve your chances of receiving an internship offer in Germany, please review the list of resume tips that we have compiled before sending us your resume. We have also provided two generic resume formats for you. Please keep in mind that the more professional your resume and cover letter, the better chances of a placement you will have.

Resume Recommendations for US Applicants – pdf
German Resume Format a – doc
German Resume Format b - doc

Program process

The following documents explain the application and placement process.

Program Process for Applicants of US Universities – pdf


Work permit waiver

All students whether in paid or unpaid internships require a work permit waiver (Arbeitsgenehmigungsfreistellung) from the German work authorities to work in Germany. The work permit waiver can only be applied for through authorized exchange organizations. The Steuben-Schurz-Gesellschaft e.V. will apply on your behalf for the relevant work permission.

Once having accepted a position, it is important that the student begin collecting the necessary documents required by the German work authorities. The following document lists all the necessary papers.

Documents required for the Work Permit Waiver - PDF

Program fees

W e feel strongly that every student should have an equal opportunity to gain work experience abroad.

Like every other non-profit organization though, our program does involve running costs. In order to cover a small portion of the expenses incurred by placing the students, we have instituted the following fee schedule, which all students agree to when they officially accept their internship.

An administration fee (70 €) applies once an internship has been accepted. This is to be paid by the student at orientation.

A cancellation fee (250 €) should a student choose to not complete an internship once it has already been accepted or to return home before ¾ of the internship has been completed. Some exceptions may exist.

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