{"id":1468,"date":"2024-11-26T07:00:22","date_gmt":"2024-11-26T06:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.fu-berlin.de\/auslandspraktikum\/?p=1468"},"modified":"2025-09-01T13:04:58","modified_gmt":"2025-09-01T11:04:58","slug":"internship-at-the-friedrich-ebert-stiftung-in-brussels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.fu-berlin.de\/auslandspraktikum\/2024\/11\/26\/internship-at-the-friedrich-ebert-stiftung-in-brussels\/","title":{"rendered":"Internship at the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Brussels"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the [person] who’ll decide where to go.\u201d – Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!<\/p>\n

During my internship at the European office of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung e.V. (FES), I experienced firsthand the remarkable impact of Germany’s largest and oldest party-affiliated foundation. Rooted in the core values of social democracy \u2014 freedom, justice, and solidarity \u2014 FES is a powerhouse of political education, strategic think tank initiatives, international cooperation, scholarships for underprivileged students, and the preservation of social democracy’s history.<\/p>\n

With main offices in Bonn and Berlin, 16 additional locations in Germany, and 104 foreign offices, including a significant presence in Brussels, FES is dedicated to fostering a robust and inclusive global civil society.<\/p>\n

The FES office in Brussels, with its 23 employees, stands out as one of the largest and most influential foreign offices of the foundation, particularly captivating for me as a political science student. This office actively contributes to the European integration process and helps shape the EU’s foreign relations in alignment with German interests. I discovered the internship opportunity in the communications field through a job posting on the FES website. My background in PR and journalism, developed through part-time jobs and university workshops, aligned perfectly with the job requirements. The Brussels location also attracted me due to its proximity to EU institutions, complementing my strong interest in international relations.
\nWhile I applied to other locations, including Washington D.C., an online interview with the FES-EU office team eased my decision to choose Brussels. The opportunity to work for the International Politics and Society (IPS) Journal of the foundation was particularly enticing. Given Brussels\u2019 high cost of living, I highly recommend applying for Erasmus+ as the mobility grant provides substantial financial support Erasmus+ for those considering similar opportunities.<\/p>\n

Main Responsibilities<\/strong><\/p>\n

My internship at the FES office in Brussels was centered around two main areas of work. Firstly, I collaborated with the communications officer, Jasmin Kohl, on public relations tasks, where I assisted in creating the newsletter and supported the office’s external representation. Secondly, I was part of the IPS editorial team, working alongside Valentina Berndt, the managing editor, and Alena Bieling, the editor. In this role, I edited and translated articles, engaged with native advertising systems, and contributed own creative ideas.<\/p>\n

I hoped to gain practical experience and expand my skills through new tasks during the internship. The nearly six-month duration allowed me to understand the working world better, make valuable contacts, and further develop my career prospects. A particular highlight was the opportunity of publishing my own article in the IPS Journal. Completing this article was a clear goal of mine.<\/p>\n

Detailed Work Experience<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the first two weeks of my internship, I received a comprehensive introduction, engaging in discussions with all office employees, including policy officers, financial officers, and project coordinators. This provided me with a direct and thorough insight into the various work areas and their interconnections within the office.<\/p>\n

My workday typically started at 9 am and ended around 5 pm, mostly spent in our intern office on the top floor. While the other two interns mainly focused on seminar assisting tasks, I concentrated on my communication and journalism duties. Occasionally, I supported seminar tasks and consistently exchanged ideas within our intern team. Weekly meetings with my two supervisors were held to discuss past and planned tasks.<\/p>\n

In the week preceding the newsletter’s release, my tasks included creating and editing visuals using Canva. This allowed me to apply and expand my skills in creative design, especially with new features such as AI image generation. I regularly wrote and shortened teasers for our events, searched for suitable images using Picturealliance, and learned to use filter functions and keywords. Sometimes, I created tweets and participated in a training on media accessibility, where I learned about the importance of ALT texts and applied this knowledge directly.
\nA crucial skill during my internship was structured and prioritised work. Alongside working with communications officer Jasmin Kohl, I was involved in the IPS editorial team. The IPS Journal, a political opinion journal of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, is led by Valentina Berndt, with Alena Bieling as editor. There is also a German and Russian edition of the journal, IPG (Internationale Politik und Gesellschaft). Weekly Zoom meetings were held to discuss current topics, develop new article ideas, and reflect on past articles. When needed, I translated articles or adapted articles in English for our journal by adding headlines and quotes, writing teasers, and selecting images, always adhering to the style guide and using British English.
\nA less demanding but still important task was monitoring our native advertising systems. I inserted articles and wrote alternative titles to reach a larger readership, allowing me to express my creative side. Additionally, I analysed data from the past year using Google Analytics and created a presentation in Canva. This task was initially challenging but ultimately helped me acquire new skills and knowledge.
\nDuring my time at the EU office, I was part of an intern team. Besides me, there were two seminar assistants with whom I interacted daily, supporting each other and collaborating on event organization tasks such as creating name tags and participant lists.<\/p>\n

Given the variety of tasks, regular coordination and evaluation of work methods were crucial. Weekly task discussions were held with the communications officer and the IPS Journal managing editor to evaluate completed work, discuss new tasks, and assess my current workload. On some days, I had a high workload but learned to organize myself well and prioritise tasks. On other days, I could work more relaxed and take time for smaller tasks. This changing work pace was particularly appealing as it offered variety and taught me to remain flexible and manage high workloads.<\/p>\n

Challenges and Learning<\/strong><\/p>\n

The biggest challenge was at the beginning transitioning from studying and a part-time job to full-time employment. It required developing a new routine and organizing tasks during working hours. Working with to-do lists and setting concrete daily goals helped me a lot. In case of uncertainties, I turned to my colleagues, who were always open and helpful. There was one instance of a misunderstanding where I worked on a task too complexly, but it had no serious consequences, and I received feedback for similar future research.<\/p>\n

As I think about continuing my studies after the summer, I will take valuable experiences from my internship with me. Many topics discussed theoretically in my studies were experienced practically here. For instance, during internal and external network events in conversations with stakeholders and think tanks or gaining insights into the creation of studies or the revision of policy briefs. In my studies, I have already worked on political communication, stakeholders in the EU, and the role of the media. The collaboration with various advisors allowed me to build on the knowledge gained in my studies. Additionally, I found inspiration in the various topics of the IPS articles and through my research activities, which will be more than relevant for my bachelor thesis.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n

My internship in Brussels has been an extraordinary journey, rich in learning and professional growth. From day one, the welcoming team made me feel valued, which fuelled my enthusiasm and motivation to come to work each day. The supportive atmosphere has been a constant source of encouragement and has made my experience both enjoyable and rewarding.<\/p>\n

I am considering returning here. The relationships that I have built up are not only of great value to my personal development, but also to my future career. The support I’ve received from these people will certainly play a part in where I want to go next.<\/p>\n

A particularly enriching aspect of my internship was the various events I was able to attend on site. These events allowed me to explore new areas of work and discover a wide range of career opportunities. Each event offered unique insights and helped me to better understand different career fields, such as working in EU institutions or think tanks.<\/p>\n

The internship not only enhanced my confidence, but also clarified my career goals. Applying theoretical knowledge from my studies to real-world scenarios highlighted the diverse and dynamic nature of the field. Working with experts and on real projects allowed me to hone my skills and discover new interests. Now I am planning to do a student job in the field of journalism, as I really enjoyed the work in the IPS team.
\nAnother highlight of my time here was the respectful and supportive interactions within the team. The open communication and mutual appreciation fostered an environment where I felt both comfortable and valued. This positive atmosphere underscored the crucial role that a healthy work environment plays in personal fulfilment and professional success. Moving forward, I\u2019ll seek out workplaces that embody these values or strive to create such an environment in my future roles.
\nOverall, this internship has exceeded my expectations. It provided profound professional insights and significant personal growth. I’m grateful for the opportunity and eager to use the knowledge and connections I’ve gained as I move forward in my career.<\/p>\n

\n

Tipps f\u00fcr andere Praktikant:innen<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vorbereitung<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vor dem Praktikum hatte ich aufgrund der Umzugsvorbereitungen und der Fertigstellung von Seminarleistungen nur wenig Zeit, mich auf die neue T\u00e4tigkeit vorzubereiten. Gl\u00fccklicherweise gibt es zu Beginn eines Praktikums in der Regel eine Einf\u00fchrung, sodass eine umfassende Vorbereitung nicht unbedingt erforderlich ist. Dennoch habe ich die von der Praktikumsstelle im Vorfeld zugesendeten Leitf\u00e4den und Dokumente durchgesehen und mir m\u00f6gliche Fragen notiert.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Beantragung Visum<\/strong><\/p>\n

F\u00fcr meinen Aufenthalt in Br\u00fcssel war kein Visum erforderlich.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Praktikumssuche<\/strong><\/p>\n

Zun\u00e4chst w\u00fcrde ich verschiedene Stellenausschreibungen pr\u00fcfen und die Webseiten von Institutionen und Unternehmen besuchen, die mich interessieren, um einen umfassenden \u00dcberblick zu erhalten. Es ist wichtig, sich w\u00e4hrend der Bewerbungsphase \u00fcber seine eigenen Pr\u00e4ferenzen im Klaren zu sein und \u00fcber seine St\u00e4rken und Schw\u00e4chen nachzudenken, um gut auf Bewerbungsgespr\u00e4che vorbereitet zu sein. Zudem empfehle ich, sich Gedanken zur Finanzierung zu machen und darauf zu achten, dass die Stelle eine ausgewogene Mischung aus Aufgaben bietet: Aufgaben, mit denen man bereits vertraut ist, sowie neue Herausforderungen, bei denen man viel lernen kann.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Wohnungssuche<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ich habe die Erfahrung gemacht, dass Universit\u00e4ten oft auf ihren Webseiten Links zu Studierendenwohnheimen bereitstellen. Es lohnt sich, diese Informationen zu nutzen. In Br\u00fcssel zum Beispiel sind XIOR und DiggitStudentLife Optionen.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Versicherung<\/strong><\/p>\n

Informiere dich dar\u00fcber, welche Versicherungen von der Universit\u00e4t und dem Unternehmen f\u00fcr das Praktikum \u00fcbernommen werden. Sollten diese nicht ausreichen, wende dich an die AnsprechpartnerInnen bei Erasmus; sie k\u00f6nnen dir ebenfalls weiterhelfen.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Formalit\u00e4ten vor Ort<\/strong><\/p>\n

Telefon-\/Internetanschluss<\/strong><\/p>\n

Da ich in einem Studierendenwohnheim gewohnt habe, war eduroam verf\u00fcgbar. Was mir etwas sp\u00e4t aufgefallen ist, ist, dass es sinnvoll w\u00e4re, sich fr\u00fchzeitig \u00fcber den Handyvertrag zu informieren und die Kosten abzuw\u00e4gen. M\u00f6glicherweise ist f\u00fcr den kurzen Zeitraum auch eine Prepaid-Karte vor Ort eine gute Alternative.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bank\/Kontoer\u00f6ffnung<\/strong><\/p>\n

In meinem Fall hat alles genauso funktioniert wie in Deutschland. Ich empfehle, Online-Banking zu nutzen, um einen klaren \u00dcberblick \u00fcber Einnahmen und Ausgaben zu behalten.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alltag\/Freizeit<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ausgehm\u00f6glichkeiten<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Br\u00fcssel gibt es zahlreiche internationale Studierende und PraktikantInnen. Schau dir gerne die Erasmus-Kan\u00e4le oder ESN der ULB und VUB an, um Kontakte zu kn\u00fcpfen. Die Stadt bietet zudem viele Parks, Caf\u00e9s und Bars sowie eine Vielzahl an Aktivit\u00e4ten, sodass dir sicherlich nicht langweilig wird.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sonstiges<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Br\u00fcssel erh\u00e4ltst du als eingeschriebene StudentInnen eine MOBIB-Karte f\u00fcr 6 Euro und ein Jahresabonnement f\u00fcr 16 Euro. Bringe daf\u00fcr deine ausgedruckte Praktikumsbest\u00e4tigung sowie zwei Immatrikulationsbescheinigungen (f\u00fcr das Winter- und Sommersemester) zur Station mit, zum Beispiel bei Rogier.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Introduction \u201cYou have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the [person] who’ll decide where to go.\u201d – Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! During my internship at the European … \u201eInternship at the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Brussels\u201c<\/span> weiterlesen<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3982,"featured_media":1471,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,486393,486391],"tags":[2983,196664,963],"class_list":["post-1468","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-allgemein","category-praktikum-europa","category-reports-in-english","tag-belgien","tag-bruessel","tag-politikwissenschaft"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.fu-berlin.de\/auslandspraktikum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1468","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.fu-berlin.de\/auslandspraktikum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.fu-berlin.de\/auslandspraktikum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.fu-berlin.de\/auslandspraktikum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3982"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.fu-berlin.de\/auslandspraktikum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1468"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.fu-berlin.de\/auslandspraktikum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1468\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1517,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.fu-berlin.de\/auslandspraktikum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1468\/revisions\/1517"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.fu-berlin.de\/auslandspraktikum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1471"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.fu-berlin.de\/auslandspraktikum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1468"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.fu-berlin.de\/auslandspraktikum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1468"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.fu-berlin.de\/auslandspraktikum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1468"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}