Summer Internship Program in Berlin for American Students of Journalism or Communication
at the International Center for Journalism at Freie Universität Berlin

In order to gain a deeper understanding of the opposing perspectives and positions at play in contemporary geopolitics, it is crucial to place strong emphasis on intercultural exchange and the transmission of cultural values. DAAD and the renowned Freie Universität Berlin (named in 2007 as one of the nine “universities of excellence” in Germany) have therefore developed this unique new program to provide outstanding young journalism students—who may themselves come to have a significant influence on international opinion-shaping—with an opportunity to immerse themselves in the society, culture, values, and political attitudes in Germany. During this time of transition and change in transatlantic relations and the German-American relationship, this program will expose American students with a particular interest in Germany to the changing global political circumstances on location in Germany. It is the program’s distinct aim to communicate well-founded knowledge and new perspectives about Germany and the European Union in order to contribute to mutual understanding and respect and to deepen German-American relations.

The program consists of two complementary segments. The first six weeks will be spent at the International Center for Journalism of the Freie Universität Berlin, where participants will expand their academic understanding of the politics, society and culture of Germany and the country’s current media structure and working conditions of journalists. With these theoretical building blocks in place, participants subsequently embark on an intensive five-week internship with a German newspaper, (online) magazine, TV or radio station, press or PR agency. During the academic part of the program they will do an one-week educational tour within Germany with young journalists from the Independent States of the former Soviet Union.

ELIGIBILITY:

Applicants should either be enrolled in a school of journalism or be majoring in a journalism-related field at a college or university in the United States. Applicants should already have experiences in practical journalism. If no journalism major is available at your university, you may still apply if significant interest/activity in journalism can be demonstrated (e.g. university newspaper, internship). The program is primarily designed for undergraduate students, but graduate students, graduating seniors and recent graduates may also apply.

Applicants must have German language proficiency at least equal to the “advanced intermediate” level. Applicants should also have a demonstrated interest in Germany and German affairs, i.e. an awareness of current political news coverage of Germany in the American media, and general familiarity with German history, culture and society.