International Office

‘Get Balkanised!’ internship programme

Information - Application - Testimonials

‘Get Balkanised!’ - The internship programme in the Western Balkans region

Since 2020, the ‘Get Balkanised!’ programme has offered students at Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences (H-BRS) the opportunity to complete an ERASMUS/ERASMUS+-funded (compulsory) internship in the Western Balkans region. Every year, up to 20 internships are advertised in the region, to which students are placed via the programme. The pool of partner organisations is constantly being expanded. In 2025, the programme will be opened up to all departments at H-BRS for the first time.

Application ‘Get Balkanised!’

October 2024: Submission of your internal application including cover sheet to outgoing@h-brs.de
All further information on the application process and deadlines can be found in the LEA course ‘Get Balkanised!’

LEA course ‘Get Balkanised!’

Partner countries

Internships as part of the ‘Get Balkanised!’ programme can be completed in the following participating countries:

Albania
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Kosovo
North Macedonia
Montenegro
Serbia

DAAD Country information (only available in German)

Target group

Applications are open to regularly enrolled students of Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, University of Applied Sciences who are completing a course of study leading to a recognised degree. For international students: Funding for internships in their respective home country is not possible.

Application deadline / funding period / internship positions

Both compulsory internships/practical placements and optional internships/practical placements of at least two to a maximum of five months can be funded. The start is in the summer semester; a later start is also possible by arrangement.

The advertisements for internships will be published in autumn in the LEA course internship programme ‘Get Balkanised’ »Vacancies.

The internal application deadline for an Erasmus+-funded internship ends in October of the previous year. You can indicate two priorities in your application.

LEA course ‘Get Balkanised!’

Funding

Funding rates

In order to be eligible for funding for an internship or practical placement, they must be part of the degree course and have been selected as part of the ‘Get Balkanised’ internship programme.

According to the contract rules, funding is provided on a daily basis and fixed funding rates apply. One month corresponds to 30 days. For the countries Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Montenegro, the scholarship amount is 700 euros per month. In addition to the monthly grant, each scholarship holder receives a one-off travel allowance of 275 euros.
The internships in Serbia are subject to a different funding mechanism. The monthly scholarship amount here is 640 euros.

Additional support for participants with fewer opportunities

Students with a chronic illness or disability and students with so-called ‘fewer opportunities’, working students and students from a non-academic family can apply for an additional monthly supplement of 250 euros.

Travel allowance for ‘Green Travel’

In addition, all students have the opportunity to receive a grant of 50 euros if they decide to travel sustainably, e.g. by train.

Erasmus+ funding is tied to a successful application for one of the advertised internship programmes.

Combined funding with public funds from other programmes is not possible. A combination with BAföG abroad is possible.

Application documents (in English)

completed application cover sheet
letter of motivation
curriculum vitae
current, complete transcript of record with average grade
If available, proof of English language, or national language

You have to apply internally to the department and must not send application documents directly to the internship organizations!

H-BRS

Partner organisations

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH As a service provider for international cooperation for sustainable development and international education work, we are committed to a future worth living worldwide.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) As the lead United Nations agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality.

Centrum für Internationale Migration und Entwicklung (CIM) International labour mobility - an important topic that aims to transfer individual knowledge.

National Alliance for Local Economic Development (NALED) NALED is an independent, non-profit and non-partisan association advocating better business environment in Serbia and the region.

Innovation & Training Park (ITP) Prizren ITP fosters collaboration in a vibrant community, aiming to become the regional hub for entrepreneurship innovation, business and skills development, and a source of innovative and successful ideas

Deutsche Industrie- und Handelsvereinigung in Albanien (DIHA) The DIHA is committed to representing the interests of the German economy in economic matters.

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) The work of our political foundation focuses on the core ideas and values of social democracy – freedom, justice and solidarity.

Institute of Southeast Europe for Health and Social Policy ISEE-HSP The work of ISEEHSP is directed to achieve demonstrable and sustainable improvements by designing and developing better services for medical students, nurses, and patients in health institutions.

RecycAl The RecycAl project aims to address the problem of build-up of intermetallic forming Fe, Sn and Mn impurities in recycled Al alloys.

Testimonials

Every year since 2020, students have been in the Western Balkans region for their practical semester or internship through the ‘Get Balkanised!’ programme. They report on their experiences in their reports or in the International Office's Stories Abroad podcast.

Reports

„I deliberately chose the FES field office in Tirana because I find Albania a very dynamic and interesting country and the Foundation's tasks support me in my interests. ”

Mirjeta - Sustainable Social Policy (B.A.): completed her internship at the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Albania in 2021

Marjeta - Internship in Albania