We’ll start with the practical to satisfy the adult in you (don’t worry—we’ll keep this short!). Berlin is Germany’s capital city and economic and political center. It is the country’s largest city and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union. Its economy is diverse and well-developed, and students might find a variety of exciting internships in Berlin. With an expansive arts and media scene, a devotion to innovation and technological advancement, and a unique set of historical and sociological dynamics, Berlin might be a perfect spot for up-and-coming professionals to develop their skills and knowledge.
So why else might Berlin be a great place to intern? (This section is for your inner explorer!)
Natural Beauty
First, despite being a large urban area, Berlin is chock full of gardens, parks, forests, rivers, and lakes. These natural oases interweave with the city to provide a uniquely vibrant but peaceful background for all. As interns partake in the city’s many boutique shops, farmer’s markets, restaurants, museums, galleries, and much more, they can also escape to expansive fields of green and densely forested areas to relax, study, spend time with friends, or enjoy public art and gatherings.
A Rich Past
Second, Berlin has an intriguing and dynamic history that results in a fascinating present. Berlin was at the center of Germany’s involvement in two world wars in the twentieth century, the Cold War, and the European Union. But it has also been at the center of some of the more important cultural expression to come out of Europe, including German Expressionism and the music, dance, and architecture of the twenties. Amidst this important history, Berlin developed a character that is at once conservative and celebratory, remorseful and compassionate. The city honors the impact of its past mistakes as much as it embraces its creative, experimental, and innovative spirit. Imagine being part of this great environment.
Adventures for Everyone
Third, Berlin may be fun, inspiring, thought-provoking, and relaxing all at once. The city has a bit of everything for everyone, and each day could bring a new adventure. Whether you enjoy Berlin’s nightlife, witness the results of the revolution against the Berlin Wall, visit the Holocaust Museum, learn the history and significance of the Reichstag Building, or stroll the gardens of a palace’s grounds, you’re likely to have an amazing adventure.
Finally, spending some significant time in Berlin could enable you to experience some of the city’s most treasured experiences. For example:
- You could eat currywurst (sausages with a unique curry topping) from a cart while sitting in a pocket park in Berlin
- You could visit the DDR Museum (to get a sense of Berlin as a socialist state), go to Museum Island (to see five museums at once or over several days), and walk through the Holocaust memorial to breathe in Berlin’s history
- You could travel to nearby Potsdam by train to explore Sanssouci (a garden, park, and palace grounds you might never want to leave)
- You could ride your bike or walk using Berlin’s extensive and well-developed bike and pedestrian network. As you stop at crosswalks in East Berlin, keep your eyes open for “Ampelmännchen,” a pedestrian symbol left over from Berlin’s Communist-era
- You could visit galleries, symphonies, orchestras, festivals, and street fairs to experience Berlin’s celebratory, vivacious, and provocative temperament
These are just some of the activities you could do to enhance your time interning in Berlin. Imagine what else you could come up with!
Where Can I Intern in Berlin?
Berlin boasts numerous thriving economic sectors. While the service sector is perhaps Berlin’s most developed one, numerous others exist and contribute to the city’s reputation as a place for innovation, technology, creativity, and research and development. Berlin also attracts new businesses and international business investments. Add to this a city devoted to history, education, and successful governance, and you’ve got an environment ripe for internship possibilities. Some areas in which you might be able to internship programs in Berlin include:
- Arts and architecture
- Business
- Computer science
- Education
- Hospitality
- Journalism
- Law
- Psychology
- Environmental science
These are just some of the many areas that offer internships in Berlin. To explore your options thoroughly, use our search tool to browse by “Work Type.” There you can find a list of programs in an area most relevant to you and your professional and academic goals.
What Are the Benefits of Interning Abroad in Berlin?
Sometimes a vacation can seem more appealing than traveling to another country to work. However, interning in another country may mean doing much more than working; it may mean submersing yourself in a culture, developing your capacities to communicate cross-culturally, tying your work (internship) to school in a more intentional way, and infusing your professional and academic experience with an international adventure.
For example, as you intern, you are more likely to develop personal and professional relationships with people than if you are a tourist. You might learn more about German culture, gain an insider-glimpse into life in Berlin, and come to a better understanding of what it means to live and work in Berlin. This more intimate contact with locals could enrich your cultural experience in Berlin.
You might also develop skills and capacities in Berlin that you might not develop in an internship at home. You could learn how to communicate cross-culturally, or even with people who don’t speak your language. Additionally, you might learn how to communicate with people despite cultural or social differences. Developing these types of soft skills could enhance your life personally and professionally.
When you intern in Berlin, you might also make connections between your studies and work that you might not otherwise. Many internship programs include an academic component, and, if you’re pursuing academic credit, you might engage in an internship more specific to what you’re studying. Having opportunities to directly connect theories and ideas from textbooks to real-life situations could help you develop your skills and your knowledge.
Finally, you may get to experience the unique combination of life as a local, professional, and tourist at once. Think about it: you may get to witness all of Berlin’s fascinating sights, develop the regular schedule and routes of a local, and experience what it’s like to live and work in another city. That is a special opportunity.
How Can I Find Internships in Berlin?
If you want to puruse an internship in Germany, and especially in Berlin, you can begin your search here! On this page, you’ll find a list of internship opportunities in a variety of areas. You can browse this list to get a sense of what’s available. Alternatively, you can use our search tool to sort by program duration (use “Select a Term”) or work type (use “Select a Work Type). Click on program links to find more information and, when you find a program you love, contact it through our site for additional information or to register. It’s that easy! Enjoy your search and your adventure in Berlin!
Ah, Berlin: a multi-faceted city that embraces purposeful order and delightful chaos; a city that loves structure and freedom, predictability and creativity, work and play. Berlin perhaps serves as a city for the adventurous yet practical adult in all of us. Maybe that’s part of what makes it a wonderful place to intern abroad. Internship programs in Berlin might give you access to a balance of experiences. It may allow you to develop your skillset, earn academic credit, and enhance your resume, all while diving into a fun, fascinating, and life-enhancing adventure. Read on to learn what awaits your arrival in Berlin. 