Ready to hear what it’s like to intern abroad in Germany? We recently spoke with Jahin, an economics major from the University of Delaware, who spent his summer interning abroad in Berlin.
Discover how Jahin expanded his professional skillset and experienced meaningful personal growth during his summer internship in Berlin.
Choosing a Program
Some college students and recent graduates struggle to choose the right study or intern abroad program. Fortunately, the AIFS Abroad program finder can help you filter your search based on a variety of factors including term, academic interest, country, and more. And if you need additional assistance, our team is available to help you find a program that fits your needs.
Jahin’s decision to intern abroad in Berlin was based on multiple factors:
“Berlin is a very diverse city filled with opportunities to explore and learn. Everything in Berlin has something to [teach]. [It’s] a city very rich in its history, architecture, and reputation.”
For Jahin, a summer internship abroad offered the perfect combination of professional development and cultural exploration:
“I chose to go during the summer as summer internships are very valuable, and I wanted to intern in a different market to understand their business strategies and learn new things from experienced business professionals. The vibe of the host city was very charming, as everyone was outside due to the welcoming weather and I experienced a very mixed vibe of fun and energy in Berlin”
Internship Experience
AIFS Abroad international interns share two career fields they’re interested in pursuing, and our team works to find placements that align with at least one. As an economics major interested in gaining business and finance experience, Jahin’s business development and marketing internship at an investment firm was a perfect fit:
“I was placed with an investment-driven group of companies. I was given responsibilities related to researching potential clients, creating teasers, contacting potential clients, and setting up meetings. I also conducted marketing for the existing companies to create more exposure.”
Beyond building technical skills, Jahin also had opportunities to network—both with colleagues as well as other industry professionals:
“I went to an event called Gitex Berlin, which was a major tech event, representing my company to research more potential clients and gain more knowledge about the future AI research world.”
Navigating Language Barriers
Many AIFS Abroad programs do not require you to be fluent in another language, including a large portion of our intern abroad programs. As Jahin discovered, he was able to get by in Berlin with just English:
“Berlin is very nice and very diverse, so thankfully we did not have a big issue with language, but I did visit other places in Germany, primarily smaller towns, where I faced language barriers. I did not need to know the language… and neither my program nor company required German, so I was pretty relieved.”
Cultural Appreciation
One of the greatest benefits of studying and interning abroad is the opportunity to truly immerse yourself in another culture. For Jahin, some of the most memorable cultural experiences came from exploring the city on foot and discovering what Berlin had to offer:
“[My favorite cultural experiences were] going on walks and exploring because you never know what type of beautiful scenery you might run into or some awesome musical experience you might run into, as Berlin is filled with street music artists.”
Known as a highly artistic city with a booming avant-garde and street art scene, it’s no wonder the technicolor culture of Berlin stood out to Jahin:
“I really enjoyed how colorful and artistic the surroundings were. Berlin is filled with street art and graffiti, so seeing them everywhere made Berlin feel very lively. Also, a lot of shops had displayed artworks, so it was really very beautiful to see them, and art galleries were another beautiful part of Berlin.”
AIFS Abroad Activities & Excursions
AIFS Abroad internship programs include activities and excursions that take you around your host city or country. They’re designed to help you learn more about your program destination and make friends with fellow participants at the same time.
One of Jahin’s favorite activities was a visit to a food market in Berlin. With vendors serving a wide range of cuisine from around the world, it was the perfect opportunity to experience Berlin’s thriving food culture:
“My favorite was the food market excursion. I myself love to try different types of foods, and the food market [included] different cultural vendors who brought out their best dishes for people to try.“
Housing
All AIFS Abroad programs include housing. Jahin stayed in a shared apartment near the other participants in his program:
“I lived in a studio apartment… It was in this small gated community where all the interns from my program lived.”
AIFS Abroad Support
AIFS Abroad offers support at every step of your journey abroad. In addition to helping you choose a program (if needed), our team provides logistical and visa assistance (if required), resume and interview preparation, and both remote and on-site support in your program destination.
As Jahin described, the AIFS Abroad team made it clear that support was always within reach—helping him feel supported throughout his time abroad:
“We have [three AIFS Abroad on-site staff in Berlin]—Martina, Nele, [and] Cara—they’re all very helpful. And AIFS has emergency numbers for any type of emergency. Plus, they have a [phone] number for any issues you have which is on normal working hours… AIFS is really reachable and very cooperative if you have any issues. They are basically always there for you if you have any problems, issues, or any concerns, or just if you want to ask any questions.”
Personal Growth Abroad
One benefit participants may not fully appreciate until they look back on their experience is the personal growth that comes from navigating a new culture. Living and interning abroad can challenge participants to step outside of their comfort zones, become more independent, and develop a broader worldview that carries over into many aspects of life.
Jahin emphasized how his time abroad helped him grow both professionally and personally:
“I would say [interning abroad] gave me more knowledge and experience to understand my professional goals and gave me more courage in my capabilities of completing real-life assignments. Studying/interning abroad does help with learning from people who are not from your culture, so the knowledge and the experience is different, [which] gives more insights on making future decisions and setting goals.”
Are you a college student or recent grad who wants to intern abroad like Jahin did in Germany? We’d love to help you start your journey!
A great intern abroad experience starts with a program provider you can trust. Since 1964, AIFS has helped more than 1.8 million students study and intern abroad. Our programs come with valuable inclusions such as housing, cultural and social activities, trips and excursions, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, on-site staff, career readiness programming, and more. No matter where you go with AIFS Abroad, you’ll have the support you need to pursue your professional goals and embrace new experiences with confidence.
