Rise up with the DAAD RISE professional program

The Deutsche Akademische Austauschdienst (DAAD) is looking for applicants for this summer's RISE professional program. North American students interested in doing a summer internship in Germany in the fields of biology, geology, physics, chemistry, or engineering can apply between October 1 and November 30, 2011.

Spend your summer away from the classroom and working in your field: the RISE professional program can help secure you an internship in Germany. Photo (cc) flickr user Patrick H. Lauke

The program works like this: students interested in internships and companies with internship offerings simultaneously apply to participate in the DAAD RISE program.  DAAD then sorts the student applications and matches them with relevant companies and internship offers.  Master and Ph.D. students, as well as recent graduates and RISE alumni or former DAAD scholarship holders are welcome to apply.

“Good research relies on cooperation, and international teamwork is becoming increasingly important,” explains the RISE program website.  “This means that scientists and engineers with international experience are increasingly sought after in both business and industry. The number of truly exciting professional work programs abroad for students in the sciences and engineering is still far too small. Because of this DAAD set out to create unique opportunities for science and engineering students from the United States and Canada interested in gaining serious practical experience in Germany.”

Participating companies will pay interns a stipend of 500 euros monthly, and DAAD will cover the remaining monthly payments.  DAAD will also provide interns with insurance, as well as the necessary documents for permission to work in Germany.  The program is supported by funds from the Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF).

“My time in Germany, made possible by the DAAD, will likely be one of the most memorable and influential times of my life,” said Erick Froede, a program alumnus.  “Both personally and professionally, my future has been profoundly changed in a way that will likely only manifest itself many years down the road.”

Links

RISE website

How to apply for the RISE program

DAAD website