Overview | Academics | Cost | Location | Life Abroad | Student Voices
Co-sponsored by UW-Madison's International Internships program and International Academic Programs, this international internship opportunity offered by the Steuben-Schurz-Gesellschaft e.V. offers students an opportunity to gain an understanding of the global workplace through a professional internship experience in Germany.
The Steuben-Schurz-Gesellschaft e.V. is the oldest German-American friendship organization in Germany, founded in 1948, and the organization is actively involved in promoting Transatlantic relations through many collaborations including the biggest initiative, the USA interns program. This program connects motivated students and their universities with host employers, media, partners, sponsors and other contacts throughout Germany and the US (no other countries). The program was founded ten years ago and since 1999 has provided approximately 470 academic internship placements to students from the US and Germany.
The interns program places students in internships throughout the state of Hessen in Germany. Hessen includes the cities of Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, Kassel, Darmstadt and Offenbach. The majority of internship placements tend to be related to Business and Economics, but there are also placements related to engineering, natural sciences, medicine, computer sciences and German language. Past placements have been at Accenture, American Chamber of Commerce in Germany, Berlitz Deutschland, BMW, Business Week, DAAD, Deutsche Bank, Lufthansa Technik, Scheunemann PR Consulting, Siemens and Turner Broadcasting System Deutschland. Both paid and unpaid placements are available. You can indicate the type of placement you are looking for when you complete the SSG application form.
Placements are made throughout the state of Hessen in Germany. The largest cities in Hessen includes the cities of Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, Kassel, Darmstadt and Offenbach.
Getting to Your Program
Participants are responsible for arranging round-trip transportation to the program site.
Visa
A visa is not required for U.S. citizens for tourist or business stays up to 90 days. U.S. citizens must have a U.S. passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of the program.
Non-U.S. citizens should check with the German embassy to determine any special regulations pertaining entry into Germany at any time.
Orientation
Students are required to participate in a pre-departure orientation at UW-Madison. The orientation is designed to introduce students to the program and prepare them for living abroad.
Housing
Housing is not provided by the program. Students will need to find their own housing, but will be provided with housing listings and resources to help them in their search.
Excursions and Activities
There are not specific excursions built into the internship program, but Steuben-Schurz-Gesellschaft e.V. offers a variety of groups that students can be involved in. The SSG Junior group is for young Germans and Americans under 30 and there is also a SSG Stammtisch every second Tuesday where people can mix and mingle. SSG also organizes monthly events to promote cross-cultural appreciation. This can include lectures, visits to museums or discussions on political, economic and cultural similarities/differences in Germany and the USA.
Insurance
You will be enrolled in the UW System required health insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) and the cost of the insurance coverage is included in program fees.
Handbooks
Use the links below to find out more information on academics, daily life and student impressions for this program.
SSG Internship Handbook 2013 (Summer - 2012-13)
Returned Student Network
Click
here to see testimonials from students abroad or to contact a returned student.
