Journalism Internships in Germany

Living: The living situation was excellent and I think is a rare find compared to most study/intern abroad programs, especially because in other programs they'd probably charge you for a private studio. I'm currently studying abroad in Barcelona and I live in a dorm with a roommate, and I still think back to how good my living situation was in Berlin. I remember there being ample cooking utensils, stove, microwave,toaster, coffee maker, not to mention it cam e with a flatscreen TV. I had queen bed and the bedroom was separate from the kitchen area. My current living space doesn't compare at all with my place in Berlin.. Like the if i wanted an apartment they wouldve charged me a large amount adn even then you share the apartment with 4 other people lol. So the berlin program had a top tier living situation. Work: This was my first internship, and I'm extremely grateful to this company for giving me the opportunity to work with them. My boss was extremely helpful and wanted to make sure we we're doing work that interests us, if we wanted to do more entreprenurial work or corporate finance/ accounting. I was impressed by the immense global reach of the company. I worked mainly in finance/accounting and most of the people I communicated with were based in the Netherlands or South Africa. A lot of the finance infrastructure was in Dutch, but using the translating tool, it was always easy to navigate.. towards the end I stopped using the translation tool and I really ended up learning a lot of Dutch finance terms. I always enjoyed socializing/ networking with other people in the office. They were very helpful and communicative, especially at the very beginning. I learned so much from them and my supervisors and working in an international environment. Now I feel more confident in the professional space and working in a team. The only complaint I have is that a clear work schedule was not specified with me and the other finance interns at the beginning, however, we soon found out and apologized for the misunderstanding. We understood to be there at 10am, we just didnt have communication or anything in writing, as to when the work day ended at first. Activities: I enjoyed the tours and group trips, great way to get to know better the city and rest of the country. I really enjoyed the Warnemunde trip. I wish I had gone on the Poland or Czechia trips. But I really enjoyed how accessible the nature was in and around Berlin. One of my favorite things to do was go hang out by a lake, which Berlin has many of and is great to do on a hot summer day. If I were to suggest another activity.. maybe a bike tour around Berlin. Or a group tour of some of the DDR sites- I loved visiting the DDR museum and all the remnants of that era. I really enjoyed my time. Hope to visit again.

My time in Berlin was amazing, I got exposed to new cultures and ideas as well as getting valuable and relevant work experience. AIFS connected me with incredible mentors who helped me grow personally and professionally as well as organized cultural outings to show me the unique experiences Berlin has to offer.

I stayed two months at the Excellence Center between June and July, which was perfect timing between large cohorts. Everybody who works at the center is lovely. Rafat is welcoming, friendly, and diplomatic, and does everything to help volunteers enjoy their experience and for refugees and migrants to settle safely. Doushan handles background operations, and is a hilarious, cheerful person. It's truly a pleasure when he joins everyone for lunch or subs in for Rafat. Muaz was my Arabic teacher and helps to run just about everything in the Center. He's a well-known figure in the local community thanks to providing free translation help for refugees and migrants between German, Arabic, and English, and supports legislative change for anti-racism in Halle. He introduced me to some wonderful, kind people who became good friends, and was a phenomenal Arabic teacher. I arrived with a bare knowledge of the alphabet, and Muaz taught me everything until I passed the A2 level in about 5 weeks. I enjoyed teaching English so much, though I loved my Arabic classes more. I taught three students from ages 8 to 30 with varying English proficiency. A lot of people are intimidated by choosing what to teach and how, but I liked making up lessons and games for my students. My advice is to use lots of color-coding, prioritize conversation (at the correct level), and try to enjoy the experience. People learn best when they're connecting with you, rather than being lectured. The accommodations are nice enough for a short stay or an able bodied person, but they get somewhat cramped during July and August, when the majority of people visit. I recommend spending at least a month at the Center if you're able to, though I truly wanted upwards of three months. We went on trips to Leipzig, Berlin, or nearby cities, toured Halle, had picnics, and spent a day with a class of international art students. A local Syrian gentleman taught us basics of violin, Rafat taught us how to cook some Palestinian, Syrian, or Saudi Arabian meals, and another friend tried teaching us Dabke (traditional Palestinian dance). You'll spend a lot of time outside in Halle, and hopefully a lot of time meeting new people. Give this experience as much as you can (and go see Muaz's concerts!) (Doushan, if you're seeing this, hello! I did the review! Sorry it took so long!!!!)

I had a great time in Berlin! I got to experience living on my own for the first time in a brand new city. Learn how to use public transportation, save money, take care of myself, and learn new things from my internship.

Beyond Academy responded to this reviewAugust 21, 2026

Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Madison! We’re so glad to hear that your time in Berlin gave you the opportunity to develop both professionally and personally while gaining practical experience in marketing and analytics. We loved having you as part of our Berlin community and hope the skills, lessons and experiences from your summer abroad continue to support you throughout your studies and future career. Wishing you all the best with whatever comes next!

Berlin is an amazing city. The Base, where we lived, was very comfortable. Beyond was great at having activities and initiating meet ups with the other interns. I loved the atmosphere of Berlin. I felt that it had a very gritty, artistic vibe to it which I really enjoyed.

Beyond Academy responded to this reviewAugust 21, 2026

Thank you so much for the lovely review, Britton! We’re so glad to hear that you had such an amazing summer in Berlin and that we were able to connect you with an internship that aligned well with your studies and gave you the opportunity to gain valuable experience in the Berlin real estate market. It’s also great to hear that you enjoyed your accommodation and made the most of everything Berlin has to offer outside of your internship. It really is such a fun and unique city to spend a summer in! We loved having you as part of our Berlin community and hope you’re taking home plenty of new skills, memories and experiences from your time abroad. Wishing you all the best with your studies and whatever comes next!

Had the most wonderful internship at Projekt Ubuntu Connekt! Worked with an amazing team, consisting of 2 amazing community women leaders, at the community hall. The time I spend with the children was special and I learned so much from them! I felt so at home in the community and was surrounded with great joy everyday!

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to intern with Art Bound Initiative and gain hands-on experience in a real office environment. I was welcomed warmly by everyone at the firm and given meaningful time, tasks, and guidance that allowed me to learn, grow, and actively contribute. I appreciated being trusted to share ideas, support senior designers, and take part in real projects, which made the experience both valuable and rewarding. Coming from Australia, this internship was also a life-changing opportunity to live and work in another country for the first time. Beyond developing my graphic design skills, I learned a great deal about myself, professional responsibility, and the art and design culture of another country. This experience has greatly enriched my knowledge, confidence, and perspective.

One of the most fulfilling experiences I have ever had. The placement was immaculate, and the excursions were wonderful. I thought AIFS staff did a great job of planning events while balancing letting students have their own time independently. The staff were all super kind.

My internship in Berlin was a very positive and meaningful experience. I gained practical skills related to my field and learned what it is like to work in an international and professional environment. The team was supportive, and I was given real tasks that helped me grow and gain confidence in my abilities. Living in Berlin was also a great experience. The city is diverse, creative, and full of history, which made my time outside of work enjoyable and memorable. Meeting people from different backgrounds and adapting to a new culture helped me become more independent and open-minded. Overall, this internship helped me grow both personally and professionally, and I am very grateful for the opportunity.

Beyond Academy responded to this reviewJanuary 23, 2026

Hey Andrew, thanks so much for sharing your experience! We’re so happy to hear your Berlin internship was such a great mix of hands-on work and city adventures. It sounds like you got to really dive in, gain confidence, and soak up everything Berlin has to offer,exactly what we hope for every intern! We’re thrilled it was such a valuable experience for you.

Overall I had a great experience on this internship! I was able to fully immerse myself in the culture, work entirely in Spanish, and see remote parts of the Amazon. At times the difference in work culture was hard to adapt to, and it was hard to work in a second language, but this only made the experience more valuable in the end. Definitely an experience you can’t get anywhere else.

As someone who has never travelled alone before, this was one of the scariest things I've done but it was absolutely worth it! Beyond were really helpful in finding an internship that fit my goals and preparing me for my time abroad. I always had someone around for support if I needed it, the community events that were planned were so fun and weren't typical tourist things but instead were places and activities I might not have thought of. I didn't need to worry about finding somewhere to live, it was all taken care of and now that I'm back I wish had stayed longer.

From the people I met, to the places I visited, I had a beautiful time and feel I gained insight into how big the world is. This was my first time traveling without my family, and though I was not worried to travel, I could not have expected to feel at home thousands of miles from Philadelphia (my home). The AIFS staff was more than helpful and always looking to engage interns in immersive experiences. It was worth it 10x over.

The support for achieving your internship is really good, they give you interview advice and coaching which is not only helpful for getting the internship but also in future job searching. The accommodation was great, loved that I didn’t have to sort it myself. The internship and social activities were really fun :)

Beyond Academy responded to this reviewOctober 10, 2025

Hi Alice, thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear that the support from the very start from interview coaching to accommodation helped make your time in Berlin smooth and enjoyable. It’s wonderful that you were able to make the most of both the work experience and the activities, and that you developed skills that will serve you well in the future. We’re so glad Beyond Academy could help provide a genuine, well-rounded experience Berlin misses you already! 🇩🇪✨

I worked at an art workshop non-profit called For Everyone as a marketing intern, where I researched and implemented key performance indicators to measure the company's success. I spent 2 months living in a new environment, speaking a different language, and bearing real work responsibilities. It filled me with motivation, inspiration, anxiety (the good kind!), and hope for my future. I explored a lot more of the city than I was expecting thanks to the outings offered by the program, which I highly encourage future attendees to take part in. Spending time with and getting to know fellow interns, new coworkers, and strangers made me feel very welcome there. Don't be afraid to talk to new people! Expect a lot of work and a lot of free time (use it wisely though, my biggest regret is spending as much time as I did watching TV). I loved my time spent in Berlin and it made me realize that I want to go back and live there again permanently in the future. Also, the people working behind the scenes want nothing but the best for you, and they'll work hard to make your time the best it can be. I hope this program will be as fulfilling for you as it was for me!

My internship was with a restaurant/bar business called Orangerie in Neukölln. There I did data analysis for the company's finances. The internship itself was everything I could have hoped for; my coworkers were so friendly and inviting, and the work itself aligned exactly with my interests and strengths. The location was also absolutely beautiful and convenient to transport to from my apartment. If I get a chance to go to Berlin again, I will absolutely visit my friends at the Orangerie. Otherwise, I met many other people through my various hobbies I continued in Berlin (bouldering and running) as well as through the city's night life. I learned tons about Berlin culture, European culture, and about myself as I gained a broader perspective on my place in the world.

Going into this internship, I had no idea what to expect. However, it turned out to be one of the best learning experiences I could have had in Germany. I worked closely with refugees who were working to improve their English and/or German, many of which were from Arabic-speaking countries such as Syria and Palestine. Working with them and getting to know them improved not only my teaching skills, but also my understanding of the experiences and resilience of refugees. Additionally, I met many other interns from all over the world and learned about the cultural and social differences between us, and I hold these experiences close to my heart. I will mention that in order to thrive in this environment and really be able to take away the good things that the Excellence Center has to offer, you have to be flexible and willing to do things that are different than what you are likely used to. The scheduling is quite loose and spontaneity is commonplace, so adaptability is a must-have. It is, however, 100% worth it. The people at the Excellence Center are wonderfully welcoming, and I left Germany knowing that I have a family in Halle that I can come back to at any time.

I enjoyed my time with beyond, they did much of the dirty work like matching with a well-fitting host company and finding a safe and pleasant place to stay. That allowed me to focus on the fun and work, which was aided by the social events every week.

Beyond Academy responded to this reviewSeptember 01, 2025

Hi Sam, structure and support is so important to our team, and we are glad to hear you found this so useful. We wish you all the best with your future adventures. All the best - The Beyond Academy Team

I thoroughly enjoyed my time here at sos animal. This organization is run by people who truly care about each animal on property. I met the most amazing people from all over the world while being in a breathtaking place.

My time in Greece was great; I loved my supervisors and colleagues who were all so kind and welcoming. There is so much to do and see in the country, I did some kind of trip pretty much every weekend. The cost of living is pretty inexpensive compared to other European countries, and every one speaks English if Greek is a struggle.

Kenya was never on top of my list for tourism. Initially overlooked, but later missed, my time in Kenya was rewarding and necessary. The beautiful people, welcoming environments, unbelievable nature, and support that came with the internship made this program important. Now I’m just waiting to go back.