Work Abroad Program

Summer Internship Opportunities

An internship program for students interested in summer internships in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland.

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The Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures offers all Harvard students a unique educational experience in a German-speaking country. During the summers, students from all concentrations can intern in private companies, institutions of higher education, or the public sector, while being completeley immersed in German language and contemporary life in Central Europe.

On the job, students learn from their daily contacts with co-workers about aspects of life in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland not dealt with in textbooks within the walls of a university. The internship allows the students to integrate their expertise in their area of concentration with their knowledge of German language and culture.

While speaking German is not a prerequisite for participating in an internship, it is certainly an advantage. The language and literatures courses taught by the department prepare students for life in a German-speaking country.

By working in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland at a German subsidiary of an American/International company, a German institute or non-profit, students can explore a career, gain valuable work experience in their chosen field, and develop a professional network in addition to improving upon their German language skills. The internship program introduces the interns to the world-renowned system of education, the dual education system as well as new technologies and the German way of thinking about work, family, politics, history... you name it!

The internship program for students in Germany, Austria or Switzerland offers internships for all concentrators during the summer months. All are welcome to apply and the applications are on a rolling base. However, there are deadlines established by companies and organizations – as well as by Harvard’s office of Career Services for funding. Students will be kept informed through Facebook and by directly contacting the Director of the Work-Abroad Program Ruth Sondermann (sonderm@g.harvard.edu).

See a list of the companies that have participated in the last years.

For examples of research opportunities for summer 2021, visit:

RISE Germany - Research Opportunities at German Universities

Ruhr Fellowship 

RWTH Undergraduate Research Opportunity

Post-Grad Opportunities

Highly qualified final-year undergraduate students or those who have received an undergraduate degree in any discipline may apply for the DAAD Scholarship for a full Master's degree program at a German university, for study at a German university as part of a postgraduate or Master's degree program completed in the home country, or other fellowships and traineeships. International Programs in Germany in English can be found on the website of the DAAD.

  1. DAAD opportunities:
    1. DAAD Scholarship for a Master's degree program
    2. International Programs in Germany
  2. Other fellowships:
    1. Congress Bundestag for Young Professional
    2. Konrad Adenauer Foundation 
    3. Tech4Germany
    4. Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship Program
    5. Hanns-Seidel Foundation
  3. Traineeships:
    1. Deutsche Welle International Traineeships in Journalism
    2. Musealoge Akademie for people interested in working in a museum
    3. Media Management Trainee at Gruner + Jahr
    4. Creative Management Program at Bertelsmann

You are welcome to contact Ruth Sondermann, Work Abroad Program Officer,  at any time at sonderm@g.harvard.edu.