Transatlantic Program

  Germany

• Berlin: 
Berlin

Term: Summer 
Dates: May 23, 2009

Description: Transatlantic Program 2009 - Immersion Seminar and Internship Opportunity in Germany for Selected U.S. Students in Summer 2009

The GACCoM Transatlantic Program for Students will take place for the fifth time in 2009 and give up to 25 selected U.S. students the opportunity of a lifetime to experience Germany and German business environment from the inside.

A ten-day Immersion Seminar in Berlin will prepare the participants for their life in Germany with language lessons, cultural training and visits to various German companies and organizations.

The Immersion Seminar is followed by an individual internship with a German company that is carefully matched to the participant's background and career objectives and lasts between 2 and 6 months.

Deadline for application is October 24, 2008.

Highlights: The Transatlantic Program 2008 is made up of two parts: A ten-day pre-internship Immersion Seminar in Berlin and an individual internship with a German company lasting between 2 and 6 months.

In detail, the two parts of the Transatlantic Program are:

1. The extensive ten-day pre-internship Immersion Seminar in Berlin, that introduces the group of participants to Germany with...

- Language-building activities taught by a German Professor of the University of Illinois in Chicago and two teaching assistants from the Humbold University of Berlin.

- Intercultural training

- Visits to German companies and organizations, e.g. the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, Berlin; Daimler AG, Berlin; Federal Foreign Office, Berlin; Porsche AG, Leipzig; Nordex AG Wind Power Plant, Rostock; or Container Harbor, Hamburg
   
- Discussions with representatives of German politics and business

- Daytrips to other German cities such as Hamburg, Leipzig, Dresden, or Potsdam

- Cultural activities (German opera, theater, etc.)

2. An individual internship with a German company, that is carefully matched to the participant's background and career objectives and lasts between 2 and 6 months.

The internship placement is in close cooperation with our German partner InWent, experienced in international exchange programs since 2002.

The participants will also become part of the Alumni Network and get together for an annual reunion in Chicago.

Qualifications: GACCoM is looking for highly-motivated, well qualified students who want to learn more about Germany and gain first-hand experience in German business.

Eligible for application to the GACCoM Transatlantic Program are students who meet the following criteria:

    * Currently-enrolled college and university students, including students graduating in Spring 2009. The program is primarily targeted towards undergraduate students in their junior or senior year.

    * Majors of Engineering, Economics, Business Administration fields, International Relations, Journalism, Computer Science and German. Qualified students with a minor in one of these areas of study may also apply.

    * NEW for 2009: Students with a major, minor, concentration or particular interest in the field of renewable energies are welcome to apply as well.

    * At least two years of college-level German; including the ability to speak and understand German at a conversational level

    * Some work experience in their respective fields of study is preferable

German companies specially look for these qualifications when offering an internship.

Additional selection criteria are an open-minded personality, flexibility, and curiosity.

We are looking for highly motivated students who want to learn about Germany through first-hand experience and are interested in being a young ambassador for the U.S in Germany and vice versa.

If the applicant's major does not match the above mentioned categories yet there is a definite interest in the program, exceptions can be made on a case by case basis. We encourage and accept recommendations for any student who might be well-suited for this opportunity.

Cost in US$: 2900

Salary / Pay: The majority of the internships will be paid. The internship compensation, however, depends on each individual company. Usually, the longer the internship duration, the likelier it will be that the company will pay a salary. Two or three month-internships are considered short-term internships; therefore the student might only receive a small compensation or none at all. In the case of non-paid internships, GACCoM will provide a one-time stipend of EUR 500 per student.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American Participants.

Participants Travel to Germany Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Resume
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network