Study Abroad During Your Teacher Training Programme

Interview with Regine Eberhardt about the internship abroad

Which country did you visit and for how long were you there?

Australia/ Melbourne
29.01.2018-29.03.2018

Why did you choose your host country and the respective internship school?

It has always been my dream country.

Did you do your internship at a local school or a German school abroad?

At the private, German and bilingual German School Melbourne.

How was your school abroad different from those in Germany? How did the students learn in your host country?

There was more emphasis on the individuality of the child rather than the class itself.

Did you accompany or lead a special project?

I supervised projects on paper production and on determining water quality. I led a project on giraffe language and the introduction to cycling lessons.

Was it easy to get in touch with the locals?

Yes, Australians are super friendly and open as well as very casual when dealing with strangers.

How high was the cost of living at your internship location?

Almost twice as much as in Germany.

What was the biggest challenge related to your stay abroad?

There were no particularly big challenges.

What did you miss most from Germany?

In relation to Germany, the discipline in the classrooms that I was used to until then. Privately, I only missed my loved ones at home.

What do you miss from your host country?

I miss the friendly staff at the school, the friendships I made and the great cultural offerings in Melbourne. I still miss the cool nonchalance of the Australians, which just makes life more relaxed.

What would you recommend to others who are thinking about studying abroad? What are three reasons to do your internship abroad?

1. polish up your English, especially if you teach it.
2. to get an insight into completely different school conditions.
3. personal and professional development.

What did you take away or gain from your country? Experiences, objects, friends or inspirations?

I gained very good friendships, the experience of phenomenal helpfulness, great concerts and cultural events, creative development in painting and embroidery, great landscape impressions, a cheerful everyday school life and massive development opportunities on a professional and personal level.

Interview with Lukas Ziegler about the internship abroad in Brussels

Which country did you visit and for how long were you there?

I was in the Belgian capital Brussels for 2 months.

Why did you choose your host country and the respective internship school?

I have to admit that the International German School in Brussels was the only German school abroad that accepted me for the period. Originally, I wanted to go to Spain to improve my Spanish.
On the other hand, Brussels offered the unique opportunity to get to know what it means to live and work in a multilingual city.

Did you do your internship at a local school or at a German school abroad?

I did my internship at a German school abroad.

How was your school abroad different from the ones in Germany? How did the pupils learn in your host country?

Purely in terms of knowledge transfer, the differences are not particularly great. The Thuringian curriculum is used up to secondary school. From secondary school onwards, lessons are taught according to a separate curriculum, which is determined by the German schools abroad in the respective region. Brussels is part of the north-western european region. Classes are generally smaller than in Germany, i.e. the class size is usually between 15 and 23 pupils. Due to the smaller number of pupils and a higher number of lessons compared to domestic schools, pupils have more time to learn at school or to be supervised more intensively by the teachers.

Did you accompany or lead a special project?

In a 7th grade class, we created a website in group work over several weeks during English lessons. The students wrote and uploaded articles on topics they had chosen themselves.
There were also many other projects and working groups that I was able to take part in. There were very interesting student projects within the framework of art and theatre lessons, as well as evening sports activities in which teachers, parents and students participated together.

Was it easy to get in touch with locals?

Yes, very easy. I already had a contact in Brussels through an acquaintance who put me up for the first week. For the remaining 7 weeks, I lived in a 17-person flat-share, which was mostly made up of young people from various European countries who had come to Brussels for a variety of reasons. They were here for internships at the European Commission or Parliament, for governmental or non-governmental organisations, or as students.
This situation allowed me to meet many great and very interesting people, some of whom I now call my friends.

How high was the cost of living in your internship location?

The cost of living is not much higher than in other big cities in Western Europe. I had to pay 350 euros for my room and 50 euros for my monthly metro ticket. As in any big city, there are always neighbourhoods that tend to attract the wealthy or people with less money. Accordingly, the prices of the shops also adjust. I lived in the Sint-Josse-ten-Noode neighbourhood, which is one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Belgium. As a result, the cost of food in the many Arab shops, but also generally food in restaurants or even coffee and beer in pubs and cafes, was cheaper than in Germany.

What was the biggest challenge related to your stay abroad?

The biggest challenge was that 90% of the people in Brussels speak French as their mother tongue and some of them don't speak English at all. Although I don't understand French, I was able to communicate well in English and sometimes Spanish.

What did you miss most from Germany?

My friends and the sun, of course. Due to the geographical location of Brussels, the weather is very maritime, which meant that the sun only shone for five hours in the entire month of March.

What do you miss from your host country?

I miss some of my great flatmates and other friends, of course. I also miss school a lot. I would have loved to stay longer. But what I miss most, especially here in Thuringia, is the general feeling of living together with people from all over the world. I really liked the understanding, tolerance and openness for foreign things and other cultures during my stay in Brussels.

What would you recommend to others who are thinking about a stay abroad?

I would advise everyone to worry as little as possible, especially if you are planning a stay in another EU country. Most things in everyday life, except for the language, are identical to those in Germany. You should go abroad with an open mind and meet people with self-interest and positivity. Before you start worrying about funding, check out the various funding opportunities from ERASMUS, the DAAD, and other organisations and apply for scholarships!

Three reasons to do your internship abroad?

•     Promote understanding of other cultures
•     Getting to know other ways of working
•     Networking

What did you take away or gain from your country? Experiences, objects, friends or inspiration?

I took Belgian beer and chocolate with me. No, of course much more: the internship at the International German School in Brussels couldn't have gone better. From the very first day, all colleagues and staff welcomed me in a friendly and open manner. I was shown a lot of interest and was integrated directly into the school's everyday life. Thanks to the very open and informal atmosphere at the school, I was able to plan and structure my internship myself in order to gain a comprehensive insight.
I was able to learn a lot for myself as a future teacher and, in addition to practical tips, I also received very useful materials on lesson planning and the teaching profession. I am very happy that I was given the opportunity to do an internship abroad and that I took advantage of it. I had a great time and was able to develop professionally and personally during these two months.

Interview with a student about her internship abroad in Costa Rica

Which country did you visit and for how long were you there?

I was in Costa Rica for a total of five months and combined the internship with a final one-month holiday.

Why did you choose your host country and the respective internship school?

When it comes to flora and fauna, no other country is as diverse as Costa Rica in such a small area. There is everything here: volcanoes, mountains, huge rainforests, secondary forests, savannah-like stretches of land, lakes, oceans, dreamlike lonely beaches, ... the most interesting animals are probably the sloths, toucans, of course the bird of the gods Quetzal, hummingbirds, the beautiful blue morpho butterfly and so many more. Then there are the Costa Ricans, the Ticos, who are so incredibly friendly, open-minded and interested. With their "Pura Vida" attitude to life, they still have a lot to teach us Germans. Compared to German conditions, stress does not exist at all. They take everything calmly, don't like to argue, are happy all around and enjoy life at all times.
That's exactly how the internship at the Colegio Humboldt turned out: no stress whatsoever. We forgot to announce an appointment, but hey, Pura Vida! Sometimes it does get stressful, but the friendly nature, the nice staff and the wonderful children make up for it immediately. I have never felt as comfortable at a school as I do here, and that really from the very first moment. So it's quite clear why I chose Costa Rica: this country is definitely a must for nature lovers but also for the party people among you!

Did you do your internship at a local school or a German school abroad?

At a German school abroad, the Colegio Humboldt. My Spanish is not good enough to teach in that language. At the Colegio Humboldt, the basic subjects of maths, German and science are taught in German from the beginning of first grade.

How did your school abroad differ from those in Germany? How did the pupils learn in your host country?

The school was much better equipped than the state-run German schools: White-board in every room, swimming pool, a large sports field plus two indoor sports fields (sports hall doesn't quite hit the mark as they are open fields), a large cafeteria with daily changing fresh food at very reasonable prices (and still definitely very good to eat), fully equipped music, art and science rooms and so on. In addition to the equipment, I was also impressed by the fact that the substitution system is very well structured: those who substitute get the relevant material sent to them by the missing teacher. So I was able to stand in for a missing teacher at short notice (i.e. ten minutes before the start of the lesson) without any stress. Simply great!
If you like front-of-class teaching, this is not the place for you. This school likes to use station work, self-discovery, group and partner work and so on - everything that is NOT front-of-class. As a result, the children already work very independently in primary school and are familiar with many different methods.

Did you accompany or lead a special project?

It depends on what you mean by "special project". My project was setting up a 2nd grade class that surprisingly had to go through a change of class teacher after the first school year and apparently was not in school in the first grade. Social and work behaviour? What is that? It was incredibly nice to see how the class gradually internalised certain rules and grew steadily. As far as class management is concerned, no seminar in the world could have helped me better than this class.
Generally, as a trainee at the school, you can always bring suggestions for project ideas or even participate in the many projects and festive activities. If you want to experiment and try things out, the school is the right place for you.

Was it easy to get in touch with locals?

Easy does not even begin to describe it! I stumbled out of the airport, located my driver who brought me to my first hotel and was already involved in the first conversation about my life. The Ticos want to know everything, EVERYTHING! :D It's unbelievably great - here you can just chat someone up on the street and they won't look at you silly. For your information: Ticos are very happy to give out their mobile phone numbers. It's not a pick-up line, it's just their way of showing "Hey, you're nice, if you need help, I know someone who knows someone who can help you with such and such problem or question." If you can't strike up a conversation with anyone here in Costa Rica, sorry, there's something wrong with you. My Spanish is still not very good (it's barely good enough for small talk), but even I, who often forgets to smile or just doesn't answer because I was in thought, was always engaged in an interesting or funny conversation. Ticos are open, warm, always friendly and interested. As long as you don't say you think Costa Rica sucks, everyone will like you.

How high was the cost of living at your internship location?

Costa Rica is more expensive than Germany, that's for sure. Before you come here, ask Google about the prices. And if you're a woman, bring tampons with you - they don't exist here, for example. There is a so-called luxury tax here, which makes many products enormously expensive. For example, you can get sun cream for the equivalent of 15€ (400ml). So inform yourself and bring certain things with you from Germany. This applies to hygiene products, medicines, clothes, ... You will have to buy food here, but it is better to go out to eat. If you choose a normal restaurant, you'll pay as much for the food as you would have prepared in your accommodation. And you didn't stand in the kitchen for hours. I've eaten out here more times (almost every other day - minimum) than I ever did in my entire previous life ^^
Also, check out where you're staying beforehand. And when you read 3-star hotel, please do NOT assume German standards. My 3-star hotel for the first night would have been called a youth hostel room in Germany with goodwill. And that for a hefty 60€ is tough. Airbnb is more helpful...

So if you want to go to Costa Rica: inform yourself carefully, bring most things from Germany, have a little money on the side (not sooooo much, but so that you have a little pocket money besides rent and food), always compare the prices, no matter what and then don't worry so much. Pura Vida!

What was the biggest challenge related to your stay abroad?

Getting there... I had never travelled alone before, never been to another continent and never flown before. I had never even seen the inside of an airport before. My flight left at six in the morning, so I had to go to Frankfurt the day before and stay in a hotel. That night I would have preferred to back out because I was scared as hell and I doubted myself and this stupid idea enormously. But as soon as I was in Costa Rica and had left the airport, it was all over for me. I felt comfortable from the first moment (and that's not an exaggeration, I'm dead serious). I have felt at home here since week 1 - not "like home", but "at home", yes. I fell so hopelessly in love with the place that I don't even want to go back to Germany. So you see: Costa Rica is no challenge, not even for a rookie like me.

What did you miss most from Germany?

Ummmm....nothing?

Well, admittedly, from month three I would have liked to have my boyfriend here or my best friend. But I could well do without them, since the reunion meant that I would have to go back to Germany. And quite honestly: who likes to wake up from a wonderful dream? Exactly, nobody.
German products abound here: be it the unbelievably delicious raspberry vinaigrette from Kühne, Ritter-Sport, Lindor balls from Lind or the ironing board from Leifheit. Costa Rica imports almost all its goods, which is why it's so expensive. The Ritter-Sport costs 5€, but if you don't want to do without it, you don't have to. PS: I even discovered Thüringer Rostbratwurst in a shop (especially for German products). The Ticos have real taste. And for those who don't want to do without German rolls: there's a German bakery (Mocapán) that sells original German rolls. God, I really felt like I was in Germany, Sunday morning at the breakfast table *-*.
You definitely don't miss the German attitude to life either. And German parties? What the hell are German "parties"? The Ticos know how to party. In Germany you only find laughingstocks.

What do you miss from your host country?

Thank God I'm still here. But I know what I will miss because I know what I will loathe in Germany.

I'll miss the positive outlook on life, the diversity, the nature, my pet spider Alice (remember the spider in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire that Mad Eye Moody used to illustrate the unforgivable curses? It's one of those! Completely harmless in reality, as it hates light and has no venom at all) and my three geckos - all wild animals that have taken up residence here over time (before I came to live here, that is).
I will miss my host family, the parties, the crickets at night, the peace and quiet, the serenity, ... It's a good thing that there are VPN servers, otherwise I would also miss the Costa Rican Netflix (they simply have the best series here!). The German Netflix is just a cheap knock-off :/)
I will miss the fresh fruits incredibly: the bananas, limes and mandarins that grow behind my flat, the mangos that are just so juicy here that the juice runs down your hands in streams. I'll miss the fresh melons and papayas. And damn: those avocados!!! I confess: in Costa Rica I became an avocado addict.
Basically, I will miss everything...damn. I hope I can come back here again. But then for longer!

What would you recommend to others who are thinking about a stay abroad? What are the three reasons for doing your internship abroad?

Three reasons? Why just three?

I'd rather list three reasons not to:

1.     You have to get out of your comfort zone.
2.     You have to break your previous student and life routine.
3.     You have to take a risk. If you go, you can't just call mum and she comes to comfort you. When you go, you can't chat with your boyfriend or your bestie every day because (unless you stay in Europe) you have a certain time difference. Here in Costa Rica it's always seven or eight hours (depending on the time in Germany).

If these three reasons do not deter you from doing an internship abroad, if you want to see and experience something new, get to know a new culture, new people and grow beyond yourself, then DO IT and GO! What have you got to lose? You already know German schools and German life.

What did you take away or gain from your country? Experiences, objects, friends or inspirations?

I will take too much with me to list here. A few examples:
A new attitude towards life: Pura Vida! That means in detail: I don't stress myself out. What I manage, I manage, what I don't, I don't. I always do my best, but if it's not enough, well, too bad. That's the way it is. Can I change it or could I have done better? No. So I don't give it any deeper thought. Time is money? God, where do you live?! MY life comes first, what I like, who I am, not what others expect of me. I live my life, I enjoy it, I do what I feel like doing and I do it when I want to. I'm happy and I don't have a face as long as a fiddle. If I want to talk to someone, I chat them up (gets hard and depressing in Germany, but never mind, I do it because it's healthy. People are social, remember?) I see the positive in life, even in moments when the negative prevails. I hope you've got an idea of what pura vida means. There is a lot more to it, but this was the most important thing,
a very good friend. Dear Anais from Switzerland, who I still keep in touch with now that we don't see each other every day in the classroom.
A Costa Rica mug. - In my defence, I got it as a gift!
My first two Spanish-language books *-*.
Thousands of beautiful memories, many of them captured as pictures, but not nearly as beautiful as the real thing.
Around a hundred and sixty journal entries plus pictures in Discord, which I will compile as a book in Germany and have printed for me.
Knowing what I really want in life (I thought I knew in Germany, but realised here that I was completely wrong): I want to travel, see the world, live here for a few years and there for a few years. And now comes the incredibly nice thing: as a teacher I can do that without any problems *-*.

Interview with Benny Linse about the internship abroad in Costa Rica

Which country did you visit and for how long were you there?

Country: Costa Rica
Period: 19.06. - 11.07.20

Why did you choose your host country and the respective internship school?

I met the head of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation Office in Moscow on the "ball tour" to the 2018 World Cup with Spirit of Football e.V., who took over the leadership in Central America (based in Costa Rica) for five years one year later. Through frequent contact with this person, I began to look more closely at Central America, which was still unknown to me, and then asked myself the question: Why not actually spend half a year there? The framework was set by the KSP guidelines, so I contacted the German school there relatively quickly. The quick and uncomplicated communication with the school made me take this step.

Did you do your internship at a local school or at a German school abroad?

At a German school abroad.

How did your school abroad differ from those in Germany? How did the students learn in your host country?

The internship school I chose made a positive impression because of its more or less "elitist" appearance. The students were brought directly to the school entrance door where they were welcomed by the class teachers. The approx. 100 pedagogical staff of the institution had to use a separate entrance and were checked. All students had to wear school uniforms, which I had not seen in my previous schools. The pupils were offered a varied and wide range of clubs and leisure activities. This comprehensive service for the pupils was new to me and impressive at times .

Did you accompany or lead a special project?

Due to Corona, planned projects unfortunately had to be cancelled.

Was it easy to get in touch with locals?

Yes, I think it was my good fortune that I was accommodated in a Costa Rican host family. Compared to other interns, I was able to learn the Spanish language more intensively and, above all, get to know Costa Rican family life better.  Most of my colleagues lived in so-called condominios. They are separate living areas and secure settlements.

How high was the cost of living at your internship location?

Despite my previous research in this regard, I was surprised by how expensive food and material items actually are. So it makes sense to communicate with locals and visit the "farmers' markets". There you can find lots of fruit and vegetables at fair prices.

What was the biggest challenge related to your stay abroad?

Besides many small challenges and hurdles (such as adapting to the new culture and language), the biggest one was probably not letting myself down and looking for solutions in the dynamic and uncertain times of Corona. This may sound a bit "trite", but I always and constantly tried to offer my help and support to the other teachers. Of course, I could not change the overall situation, which was and is more than difficult.)
I actually felt a bit lost (especially after the information that the school was closing), but afterwards I recognised my chance.

What did you miss most from Germany?

Good bread.

What do you miss most from your host country?

The relaxedness and positivity of the Ticos. (Locals)

What would you recommend to others who are thinking about a stay abroad? What are three reasons for doing your internship abroad?

    Expanding one's own portfolio (expanding strengths and also weaknesses).
    Inspiration through new encounters with people but also places.
    Leaving your "comfort zone" (home, friends, familiar surroundings) will of course take some effort, but you will come back with lots of new impressions and learn to appreciate your old life to a certain extent.

What did you take with you or gain from your country? Experiences, objects, friends or inspirations?

Apart from unforgettable experiences, unique impressions and new friends, I gained a lot of inspiration for my new phase of life. By venturing into a more or less foreign world, you don't lose your previous life, instead you make it more precious and unique. You expand your comfortably furnished world with new impulses, so to speak. For me, it was the way people deal with supposed defeats/disappointments. I would like to adopt some of this relaxed attitude (according to the motto: Pura Vida, everything will be fine). But also the unique nature and wildlife remain formative and have changed me.

Interview with Janina Meier about the internship abroad in Cuenca

Which country did you visit and for how long were you there?

I did a four-week internship at the German school in Cuenca, Ecuador, but I stayed for a total of 6 weeks and travelled and got to know the country a bit before and after the internship.

Why did you choose your host country and the respective internship school?

At the moment, it is still my dream to go abroad as a teacher and not to work in Germany. I decided to do an internship abroad to find out whether I would like working as a teacher in another country. Since I had already been to Asia and Australia and wanted to get to know something new, I chose South America. Through conversations and interesting travel stories from friends, I had the idea of going to Ecuador and also made contact with the school in Cuenca.

Did you do your internship at a local school or at a German school abroad?

I did my internship at a private German school abroad.

How did your school abroad differ from those in Germany? How did the students learn in your host country?

My internship school was different from a school in Germany in many ways. First of all, it was a public school - this is not unusual in Germany, but it was new territory for me. The parents made a conscious decision to go to a German school abroad and thus bear the costs of the school. They are sent to school with the idea that at the end of their schooling, their children will speak German and perhaps even study in Germany. The children can already attend the German kindergarten and thus start learning German at an early age.
In primary school, the subjects maths, science and German are taught in German. With increasing grade levels, biology, geography, history, philosophy, etc. are also taught in German. However, it is not always possible to fully implement teaching in German. From time to time, it is necessary to repeat the task in Spanish to ensure comprehension. Exams are written in regular intervals in all subjects, and if a child does not pass the test, he or she is given a revision plan with which he or she is supposed to catch up on the material independently at home. At the end of the revision period, the child must hand in the worksheets to the teacher and take another exam. Ideally, the child passes the exam on the second attempt, otherwise the revision period is repeated again. For particularly good pupils in German lessons, there is also an additional support programme. They receive intensive tuition in small groups with other children and are usually very happy about this.
The grading system consists of grades from 1-10, with 10 being the best and 1 being the worst. During second period, cafeteria workers come into the classrooms and put breakfast on a table in the corner for the children whose parents have ordered it. Before the start of the big break, these same children are allowed to pick up their food with fruit and fresh juice, and everyone eats together before going to their break. Lunch can be bought for 1-2$ in the cafeteria and additional snacks are sold at a kiosk.
The school grounds are just outside the city and are located directly in the Andes Mountains. If you stand on the school grounds, you have a great view in addition to the warm climate. Because of the warm temperatures, the gymnasium, swimming pool and cafeteria are all only covered but not enclosed. The classrooms are all very well equipped and the teachers know how to use the technical aids very well in their lessons. In addition, school uniforms are compulsory in Ecuador and this is also the case at the school. Every day, all children have to come to school in school uniform and if this is not done, the children are admonished and it is noted in writing. Most children are picked up from home in the morning by small yellow school buses or vans and driven to school. If a child is late, the driver waits or sometimes the "ride-along/chaperone" goes to the house and rings the bell. Her job is to buckle up the younger children, sometimes also to play with them and to make sure that all children get to school safely. At school, once a month there is the 'acto cívico', when all the children gather on the sports field, lined up in their classes, and important announcements are made. Both national anthems (Ecuadorian and German) are also sung. In the afternoon, the children can be registered for additional language, sports and games classes and are driven home again in the buses and vans after school.

Did you accompany or lead a special project?

I didn't lead a special project, but I was allowed to get a taste of all classes from grade 1-12 and the doors of the German kindergarten, which was right next to the school, were open to me. Furthermore, I supervised the kindergarten and primary school children during swimming lessons in the afternoon. In addition, there is a programme for the particularly gifted and ambitious pupils in German lessons, which supports them in small groups for 2 hours a week. I was also allowed to support the teachers in these lessons.

Was it easy to get in touch with locals?

The school helped me find local accommodation and gave me the choice of moving in alone, with a local host family or in a shared flat. I opted for the shared flat, which turned out to be a large "shared house" where both South Americans and people of other nationalities lived. Everyone was doing something different in the city, whether it was working, doing a work placement or going to language school. Because of the family-like house community, it was easy to come into contact with locals and the young house owner in particular was very keen to bring his local friends together with the house residents. We often cooked together in the kitchen and made further plans. With always new people, we went on hiking trips, explored the city, sat on the balcony in the evenings, went out for a beer and dancing together or organised parties in our house. At school, on the other hand, it was a bit more difficult to get in touch with the local teachers, as they were often grouped together according to their nationalities.

How much was the cost of living at your internship location?

I paid $155 for my shared room for 4 weeks. Since the school is a bit outside the city, I was picked up by a school bus in the morning, but I didn't have to pay anything for it. Otherwise, a ride on the public bus cost about $0.25 and a taxi about $1.50 per kilometre. Lunch at school cost a maximum of $2-3 and otherwise you can eat delicious food in the city for about the same price or a little more. Most of the time, however, I shopped very cheaply at the big markets and cooked my own food at home alone or with friends. You can get by very well on about $200/month.

What was the biggest challenge related to your stay abroad?

My biggest challenge was definitely my lack of Spanish skills. I started my trip with only the basics and found out when I arrived at my shared flat that everyone except me knew Spanish very well and talked in Spanish. I was able to communicate halfway with a mix of English and Spanish and was occasionally taken by the hand by a German and a Swiss. The school was also a great help. While the primary school children were learning the German language with pictures, memories, stories, songs, the body and much more, translating words into Spanish again and again to ensure understanding, I took advantage of exactly this moment and paid close attention to pick up and retain the Spanish vocabulary. My flatmate also gave me her Spanish A1 book and I continued to practise independently at home. At the end of the 6 weeks, I could communicate surprisingly well and more or less fluent conversations were possible. So I not only got to know a school abroad, many inspiring people and a country in South America, but also a new language. With the new semester, I also started a Spanish language course.

What did you miss most from Germany?

Nothing at all, actually, but maybe that's because I'm generally a very adventurous person and open to new countries and their culture and culinary dishes.

What do you miss from your host country?

My shared house where I lived. I would love to live in Germany with my friends in a house just like that, cook together in the kitchen and sit together on the balcony in the evening and enjoy the good weather. I also miss the breathtaking scenery and the nightlife. The Spanish music just makes everyone dance and unfortunately cannot be compared to the German nightlife.

What would you recommend to others who are thinking about a stay abroad? What are the three reasons for doing your internship abroad?

First of all, get in touch with the school you are interested in and ask all the questions that might have made you doubt an internship abroad. Usually, the school can answer all your questions, help you find a place to live and give you an overview of how your internship might go. What are the reasons for doing an internship abroad? 1. broadening your horizons - you are sure you want to stay a teacher in Germany forever, but you haven't even done an internship abroad? Then how do you know if it's not for you and if the German system satisfies you completely? I can only advise you to try it at least once. Afterwards, you can always decide for yourself that it's not right for you and that you feel comfortable in Germany. And: it's still good for your CV. 2. Life abroad - an internship abroad means that you have a regular daily routine with obligations. Unlike travelling, you live in the city and really get to know it. You know more than just the tourist spots and eventually have a large array of insider tips for shopping, eating out, going out, ... 3. New foreign language skills and social networking - Depending on which country you choose, you might face a bigger or smaller foreign language hurdle. Either you already speak the local language a little and can expand your knowledge or language learning is a little bumpy at first, depending on how much time you invest in self-study, but improves quickly as it is integrated into your daily life. Social networking is not neglected abroad either. You meet new, interesting people everywhere and who knows what these contacts will be good for later on. If you have been accepted for an internship, find out about the many funding opportunities in good time. These are listed on the internet, but you can also get all the information and assistance you need at the university.

What did you take away or gain from your country? Experiences, objects, friends or inspiration?

My wealth of experience has once again been expanded by my stay in Ecuador. It also confirmed for me that working as a teacher abroad is definitely an option for me and would be fun. Whether I will stay abroad forever or just for a few years, I don't know yet, but that is not of too much relevance. In the 6 weeks I was able to meet many inspiring people who shared their exciting stories with me. Some of them I can now call my friends and some of the teachers I might meet again later in the staff room. Ecuador also gave me a great sense of adventure towards South America, its cultures and learning the Spanish language. I would do an internship abroad again at any time and can only recommend it to everyone. I hope that my little report has inspired you to go abroad for an internship. :)

Interview with Julia Bredemeier on the internship abroad in Dublin

Which country did you visit and for how long were you there?

I was able to stay in beautiful Ireland from the beginning of March to the end of June 2018.

Why did you choose your host country and the respective internship school?

As one of my future subjects is English, I wanted to go to an English-speaking country - in Europe, the entry/residence requirements are quite easy, I have already been to England and Scotland and I wanted to go to Ireland anyway. So I just asked at St. Kilian's ...

Did you do your internship at a local school or a German school abroad?

St. Kilian's is the German school in Dublin.

How did your school abroad differ from those in Germany? How did the students learn in your host country?

That's difficult to say, because in general almost every school is different and the concepts and approaches determine how the students learn. What was definitely different was the prevailing bilingualism - it is really impressive how some children can easily switch between German and English. The German and subject lessons were divided into mother tongue and foreign language lessons, art was taught bilingually, all other subjects in the national language. Also new to me were 40-minute lessons, three of which were strung together without a break (but with room changes and different subjects), and primary school lessons up to grade 6.

Did you accompany or lead a special project?

I don't know if it was that special, but another intern and I got to help with the preschoolers' performance at the graduation ceremony. Together we also created a series of lessons on the topic of fairy tales for the mother-tongue German lessons of class 3 - team-teaching and test-making were interesting experiences. At the end, each child received a book with the fairy tales written, performed and illustrated by the class in groups.

Was it easy to get in touch with locals?

Since I lived with an Irish host family with three small children, I always got to talk to the nanny, the granny, some relatives and friends. Apart from that, there were Irish teachers working at the school, and you could talk to some of them during the breaks. Apart from that, I didn't meet many locals, which may have been due to the fact that I was usually travelling together with another intern ...

How high was the cost of living at your internship location?

High! Luckily there was Lidl with affordable prices, but finding affordable accommodation in Dublin alone is quite difficult.

What was the biggest challenge related to your stay abroad?

Apart from the fact that due to the snowy weather in Ireland at the beginning of March, the flight was cancelled twice, which made the journey a bit more difficult, finding accommodation was actually the most difficult thing! A year before the start of the internship, we had already posted notices in the school, looked on all the websites and asked at the embassy ... But it wasn't until we were there that we were able to find something after a few days at an Air B'n'B, thanks to the great support of the school!

What did you miss most from Germany?

Honestly? My own four walls and bread!

What do you miss from your host country?

Being surrounded by the English language and the funny "look right" or "look left" signs on the street at the pedestrian lights.

What would you recommend to others who are thinking about a stay abroad? What are three reasons for doing your internship abroad?

I would definitely recommend a stay abroad because ...

1. when else do you get the chance to get an insight into school life and the culture of another country?

2. at the same time you can gain professional, linguistic and personal experience about your own strengths and weaknesses

3. it is the last opportunity before "real" working life to simply break out of everyday life and get to know a whole new world, but without doing "nothing"

What did you take away or gain from your country? Experiences, objects, friends or inspiration?

A lot of great memories of experiences, the country and (especially little) people, numerous inspirations for my future teaching, an incredible number of English (children's) books and a somewhat more relaxed view of everyday life - an unforgettable time that I wouldn't want to have missed!

Interview with Antonia Groß about the internship abroad in Dublin

Which country did you visit and for how long were you there?

I was in the Irish capital Dublin for almost 6 months.

Why did you choose your host country and the respective internship school?

Living in Ireland for a longer period of time had been a dream of mine for several years. My grandparents live in Ireland and I also have some very good friends there. However, they don't live directly in Dublin, but rather in the countryside, about two hours away from there. However, I wanted to do my internship in Dublin because I really like the city life.
I chose the internship school partly because it is relatively close to the centre of Dublin and partly because it is quite multicultural.

Did you do your internship at a local school or at a German school abroad?

I did the internship at a local Irish primary school.

How was your school abroad different from the ones in Germany? How did the pupils learn in your host country?

Irish children usually start school at the age of 4 and then first attend a "Junior Infant" class for one year, followed by a "Senior Infant" class and only then the 1st grade. Primary school continues until grade 6, so the pupils are in primary school for a total of 8 years. The lessons in the infant classes are more playful and shorter than those in the other classes. However, the children already learn to write, read and calculate. They do a lot of handicrafts and painting, and they also learn about the content of science lessons.

Did you accompany or lead a special project?

During my internship, I gave remedial lessons to 5th and 6th grade students.

The German workshop, which had taken place in some cases in previous school years, unfortunately could not take place for organisational reasons.

Was it easy to get in touch with locals?

I lived in a shared flat with 4 Mexicans (3 boys and a girl) and quickly formed connections through them. In addition, there were more foreign interns at the school, with whom I spent a lot of time in my free time. Dublin is a very multicultural city, and because of my shared flat and the other interns at the school, I was in contact with people from all over the world.
As I mentioned before, my grandparents also live in Ireland and Irish friends of mine also live nearby. It was very easy to get in touch with other locals there. In general, Irish people are very friendly and open.

How high was the cost of living at your internship location?

The cost of living in Dublin is a lot higher than in Erfurt and also than in other cities in Germany. The housing market in Dublin is a disaster, many students share a room to pay a lower rent.
I was very lucky with my shared flat. I had a single room for about €450 a month. This price is extremely good for Dublin. For example, a friend of mine shared a room with two other girls and had to pay €380 a month for that room. Another had a single room for around 700€ a month. In addition, going out to eat and drink is more expensive than in Germany. For a pint of beer you usually pay between 5€ and 7€.

What was the biggest challenge related to your stay abroad?

Finding affordable accommodation for the 6 months was a bigger challenge at the beginning. In the end, however, I was very lucky and found a very nice shared flat.

What did you miss most about Germany?

I missed my friends and family the most.

What do you miss from your host country?

I miss my flatmates, who have become really good friends over the course of almost 6 months. I also miss all my friends there. I also miss my work at the Irish primary school, I really enjoyed my internship there. I also miss my colleagues and my students at the school.

What would you recommend to others who are thinking about a stay abroad? What are the three reasons for doing your internship abroad?

If you are thinking about a stay abroad, you should be aware from the beginning that many things will be different abroad. You should be very open-minded and as unbiased as possible towards the foreign country.

1.     Getting to know a school abroad and the school system there.
2.     Improving your language skills.
3.     Unique practical experiences.

What did you take away or gain from your country? Experiences, objects, friends or inspiration?

I made some really good friends in Ireland. At the moment, I am sure that some of them will be friends for life.
I was also able to further improve my English skills.
In addition, I was able to gain a lot of teaching experience during my internship. I learned a lot about classroom management and gained experience in teaching and educating older and younger students.
After this internship, I now feel ready to work as a teacher.

Interview with Luisa Reiche about the internship abroad in Toronto

Which country did you visit and for how long were you there?

I was in Toronto at the German International School from the end of August 2019 to the beginning of February 2020.

Why did you choose your host country and the respective internship school?

I had wanted to spend some time in Canada for a long time and the bilingualism of the country is interesting to me as a future French teacher.

Did you do your internship at a local school or at a German school abroad?

I was at a German school abroad that followed both the Canadian curriculum and the Thuringian curriculum.

How did your school abroad differ from those in Germany? How did the students learn in your host country?

The Canadian influence was already very noticeable, primarily, of course, in the fact that there were some students who had to learn German as a foreign language first. The main subjects were always bilingual. There were also more afternoon activities.

Did you accompany or lead a special project?

I had my own French group, with which I also performed at the Christmas Bazaar.

Was it easy to get in touch with the locals?

Yes, the Canadians make it really easy to get in touch. They are very warm, helpful and very interested. Toronto is also a very multicultural city, where people from all over the world meet. I felt at home in the city very quickly.

How high was the cost of living at your internship location?

The cost of living was very high overall. Luckily, I had a scholarship for student teachers from the DAAD, which really helped me financially. The rental charges in Toronto are exploding right now and food is also a bit more expensive than in Germany.

What was the biggest challenge related to your stay abroad?

The biggest challenge was not completely losing sight of university and the responsibilities that come with it. I was very busy at school, additionally, there the time difference and I wasn't in Germany over Christmas, so I wasn't able to register my Master's thesis. I would have liked the university to be a little more accommodating, but I can only advise everyone to find a solution for the Master's thesis, even if you are in the middle of planning for the KSP.

What did you miss most about Germany?

You always miss your family and friends at home, of course, but apart from that I didn't miss anything.  

What do you miss from your host country?

I definitely miss the open-mindedness of the Canadians, the beautiful nature, my students in the class I worked in and also the people I got to know during my time there.

What would you recommend to others who are thinking about a stay abroad? What are three reasons to do your internship abroad?

In my opinion, there are so many reasons: Firstly, you naturally gain a lot of experience that not only helps you "professionally", but also personally.
Secondly, the work and everyday life at a school abroad is very different in many areas from a primary school in Germany. Seeing this was very exciting and will also influence my work in the future. I was also able to learn a lot about the Canadian school system and I learned a lot from it. In addition, such a direct comparison naturally leads to questioning approaches and methods in a completely different way.
Thirdly, it is a unique opportunity to find out  whether working abroad could be an option.

What did you take away or gain from your country? Experiences, objects, friends or inspirations?

I was able to have many unforgettable experiences and build friendships.
I also returned with a folder full of teaching materials, all of which I can use well during the preparatory service.

Interview with Theresa Piss about the internship abroad in The Hague

Which country did you visit and for how long were you there?

I was in the Netherlands, in The Hague, for about 4 months.

Why did you choose your host country and your placement school?

I wanted to go to a Northern or Western European country and I applied widely and was finally accepted in The Hague.

Did you do your internship at a local school or a German school abroad?

I was at the German International School in The Hague, a German school abroad.

How was your school abroad different from those in Germany? How did the students learn in your host country?

I'm pretty sure that the main difference was not the location, but the difference between state and private school. There was also the international environment, which is definitely due to the city, the location and the students and parents.

To be honest, I did not notice any major differences in learning.

Did you accompany or lead a special project?

Special, whether it was special or not I can't say. For example, I was involved in two wonderful projects. One was a charity event before Christmas where we collected food donations for something like a Dutch food bank and the other was the Christmas concert.  At which, due to a lack of musical talent, I assisted in looking after the children.

Was it easy to get in touch with locals?

Definitely YES! Everyone was open and cordial, but I mainly had good contact with colleagues in the sense of joint activities, going to bars in the evenings and so on.

How high was the cost of living at your internship location?

High! But it was affordable thanks to a scholarship. The biggest problem in The Hague, and not only for interns, is affordable housing.

What was the biggest challenge in connection with your stay abroad?

As I said before: affordable housing. Unfortunately, you can't be too choosy.

What did you miss most about Germany?

I know this should definitely be something like "my friends and family", but I was able to enjoy the time so much and everything went by so quickly that there was no time to miss anything.

What do you miss about your host country?

The openness of the people, the international environment, my class, my colleagues and the sea, or the possibility of simply going for a walk by the sea after school.

What would you recommend to others who are thinking about a stay abroad? What are three reasons to do your internship abroad?

Go! Throw all doubts overboard, take your courage together and take the chance!

It's hard for me to name only 3 reasons:

    The new people you will meet and the old friendships you will learn to appreciate.

    I know I'm repeating myself, but the international environment.

    You learn a lot about yourself, about your own limits and how easy it can be to cross these limits and discover new things.

What did you take away or gain from your country? Experiences, objects, friends or inspirations?

Lots of experiences, wonderful people I met, basic knowledge of a new language, lots of cheese (a bit of cliché has to be there), new methods and teaching ideas...

Interview with Kim-Alicia Golez on the internship abroad in Vienna

Which country did you visit and for how long were you there?

I lived in Vienna, Austria from February to August 2020.

Why did you choose your host country and the respective internship school?

I chose the great city of Vienna. It has rightly been voted the most liveable city in the world again and again.
The internship school is very special to me for three reasons: It is an all-day school with an exceptionally wide range of offers for its leisure hours. It is bilingual (Vienna Bilingual Schooling). Its school concept with a focus on reading is based on the values of Astrid Lindgren.

Did you do your internship at a local school or a German school abroad?

At a bilingual (English and German) primary school in Vienna.

How did your school abroad differ from those in Germany? How did the pupils learn in your host country?

Mainly through the bilingual lessons and the all-day concept.

Did you accompany or lead a special project?

No. Because I wasn't allowed to be present in the school building due to Corona. Unfortunately, that was not possible.

Was it easy to get in touch with locals?

In a semester abroad at university, it would certainly have been easier, but unfortunately not for me during the internship, because you hardly get to know people your own age. I then went on to use the app Bumble BF - that was great, but you tend to get to know other newcomers through it. The Viennese like to keep to themselves ;-)

How high was the cost of living at your internship location?

They were similar to those in Germany - fortunately. I lived with my boyfriend in an old 46 square metre flat in the central 5th district, which cost 500€ including additional expenses. Food in supermarkets is a bit more expensive than in Germany, everything else is similar.

What was the biggest challenge related to your stay abroad?

Definitely the Corona crisis and everything that went along with it: the lockdown, the attendance ban during the internship, the travel restrictions (no one could visit us, we couldn't leave - except for June and July), the contact restrictions (we couldn't meet anyone), no club scene/nightlife. That made everything very difficult, but looking back, we still had a great time in Vienna.

What did you miss most from Germany?

Family and friends.

What do you miss most from your host country?

The Viennese dialect.

What would you recommend to others who are thinking about a stay abroad? What are three reasons for doing your internship abroad?

1. the most important thing in life: Get out of your comfort zone, think outside the box, broaden your horizons! (Clean out your flat and live somewhere else with minimal luggage, leave your own social bubble and get to know other people/cultures/languages/etc.)
2. getting to know school systems (or even job-related things) abroad is such a valuable experience!
3. never again will you have the chance to live abroad for a while in a way that is as uncomplicated as during your time at university.

What did you take away or gain from your country? Experiences, objects, friends or inspirations?

One item I have from Vienna is a great agate ring from the antique shop (there are lots of them!).
A great friend I made here is Willemijn from Amsterdam, who I will visit there next year.
One experience I had thanks to Corona is that things never turn out the way you planned, but that doesn't have to be a bad thing. I was able to get to know Vienna without tourism, pure and simple - who else has that?
So an inspiration for me is the Viennese saying "Das geht sich alles aus!", which means "It all works out!", because it really is true!

Interview with Tina Barthel about the internship abroad in the Philippines

Which country did you visit and for how long were you there?

I lived in the Philippines from mid-August 2018 to the end of March 2019.

Why did you choose your host country and the respective internship school?

The decision for my host country was relatively easy because my boyfriend lives in the Philippines and we could spend more time together. Since I wanted to get to know the culture and life in the Philippines a little better, I decided to attend a local school and chose not to go to a German school abroad. Fortunately, my boyfriend also eventually found a small public school that made me feel very welcome.

Did you do your internship at a local school or at a German school abroad?

As already mentioned, I did my internship at a local school.

How did your school abroad differ from those in Germany? How did the pupils learn in your host country?

The change was huge for me at first because the schools were different in every way; it would probably be easier to name the similarities!
The rooms were generally not as well equipped as you would find in German schools. Chalkboards were not magnetic, the room temperature was sometimes 33 degrees Celsius because there was only one fan in most rooms, sometimes there were no chairs for students. Materials were almost non-existent. If you wanted to work with the students using more than just the textbook, you had to get creative. For the first few months, I didn't even have a printer and drew all my visualisations for the blackboard myself. Of course, that took a lot of time and it took me a long time to prepare a lesson.
Apart from the spatial and material conditions, another difference is that Filipino children grow up bilingual. English and Tagalog are official languages in the Philippines and the school teaches in two languages. In addition, the lessons at my school were almost exclusively front-of-class and there was no differentiation at all. The grading system is also different and assignments in class are usually graded directly, so there are no real opportunities for the children to practise without pressure to perform. As you might imagine, punctuality wasn't taken very seriously either. In general, my school in the Philippines was just more relaxed, more spontaneous and, above all, louder.
Nevertheless, all the students and teachers were super friendly, cordial and open towards me. The school atmosphere was very pleasant, as everyone got along with each other, and the relationship between students and teachers was also closer than one is used to in most German schools. The teachers, at least at my school, were among the students' friends.

Did you accompany or lead a special project?

In the Philippines, each month is accompanied by a theme in the schools. For example, September is the month of the teacher. At the end of the month, there was a school party where the teachers were honoured. First, the children performed dances or sang songs, and then each teacher received lots of gifts and letters from the students thanking them for their work. This event was very special for me as it was my first Teacher's Day. Other monthly themes included Language Month (Tagalog), Science Month and English Language Month.
Another project I accompanied was the Scout Camping, where the older students stayed overnight at the school with the teachers.

Was it easy to get in touch with locals?

Filipinos are very open people and most of them also approach strangers. Since my boyfriend is Filipino and I taught at a local school, I was surrounded exclusively by Filipinos. So it was not difficult to get in touch with the locals. Many people approached me and asked me questions, sometimes even complete strangers on the street, because it is not so often that you meet foreigners, at least not in the region where I lived.

How high was the cost of living at your internship location?

As in most countries in Southeast Asia, the cost of living in the Philippines was much lower than in Germany. Although housing in Metro Manila is rather expensive, I was lucky and found a flat for the equivalent of about 50 euros a month. Electricity and water costs were never more than about five euros per month. Local food and public transport also cost much less than in Germany. In this respect, Western Europeans can get along very well in the Philippines.

What was the biggest challenge related to your stay abroad?

The biggest challenge for me was definitely teaching at the local school. Since the entire school system and the conditions at my school and in the Philippines were completely different from those in Germany, it took me longer to prepare lessons. Another hurdle was the language barrier and the large language differences between the students. Some students barely knew English, which made communication inside and outside of class not exactly easy.
Fortunately, for everyday life in the Philippines, I always had my boyfriend by my side to help and support me. Without help, I would certainly have had more difficulties using public transport, because there are only bus stops at the starting and ending points. Otherwise, you always have to stop on the street and find out beforehand which means of transport go where. I never found any transport maps there either.

What did you miss most about Germany?

Besides family and friends, I missed the German infrastructure and the German food the most.
Sometimes it took me an hour to get to school, which is only seven kilometres. In Manila, there are always traffic jams and I would have liked to have the German infrastructure.
In terms of food, I missed German bread and rolls the most. But I also missed cheese and other dairy products, as these are very expensive in the Philippines.

What do you miss from your host country?

Most of all, of course, I miss my boyfriend, his family and the friends I made there. I also miss the sunny, warm weather and especially nature. In my opinion, the Philippines is one of the most beautiful countries in the world in terms of nature and has a lot to offer; mountain landscapes, volcanoes, lots of sea, lakes, fantastic beaches, coral reefs and a lively underwater world, rice terraces and much more can be found here.

What would you recommend to others who are thinking about a stay abroad? What are the three reasons for doing your internship abroad?

An internship abroad is a unique chance to try life abroad for a limited time. For those who are curious to get to know other cultures, languages and people, an internship abroad is definitely the right thing to do. However, you should be able to adapt to other circumstances and living conditions.
For the reason that you are building a life in another country alone, you will have many unique experiences. During this time, you learn a lot about the internship country and the people, make friends, find new favourite foods and get to know new languages and the country in a much more profound way than if you were just there for a holiday.
For student teachers, the complex school internship in particular is also a great way to spend a semester abroad, as all 30 credit points are credited at the end of the semester. So you don't have to worry about having to make up courses in Germany and possibly study an extra semester.

What did you take away or gain from your country? Experiences, objects, friends or inspiration?

From my time in the Philippines, I took my school uniforms and lots of letters back to Germany and made lots of friends and a second family.
In general, I found the time in the Philippines very inspiring and I learned to be more relaxed, spontaneous and creative. In the Philippines, a lot of things don't go according to plan, but that doesn't drive anyone crazy there. I also saw how happy and content most people there are, even if they don't own many material things and often lead a simple life. Since my luggage was also limited by the flight, I lived for 8 months with much fewer material things than in Germany, and I have to say that I didn't miss anything and even perceived it as liberating. For Germany, I have now resolved to sort things out and only buy necessities. Here in Germany, we live in a huge abundance, which doesn't make us any happier in the long run or bring any other added value, I understood that during my time in the Philippines.
In addition, I became even more aware in the Philippines that we should pay more attention to our environment and protect it. Many Filipinos do not think about their environment and have not been educated enough. So you actually find rubbish everywhere: on the roadside, on beaches, in the sea, and so on. Dealing with rubbish in the Philippines has often made me think about how we are harming the environment and that, no matter where in the world, more should be done about it.

Interview with Julia Schmidt about the internship abroad in Lisbon

Which country did you visit and for how long were you there?

I was in beautiful Portugal from March to July. More precisely, in the capital Lisbon.

Why did you decide on your host country and the respective internship school?

The decision to go to Portugal was a bit of a diversion, as I had originally wanted to go to another country, but had to cancel my stay due to illness. I had already been to Lisbon a few years ago and liked the city very much back then. It is very diverse and authentic.
The contact and communication with the people in charge at DS Lisbon went smoothly and I felt very well looked after and taken care of right from the start.

Did you do your internship at a local German school or a school abroad?

It was a German school abroad.

How did your school abroad differ from those in Germany? How did the pupils learn in your host country?

The DSL is an integrated encounter school that mainly accepts children of German (20%) and also Portuguese origin (80%). Other cultures are also represented here and there. Bilingualism and multicultural exchange are at the centre of this school.
The grounds of the DSL are extensive and consist of a total of 8 buildings, where children and pupils can go from nursery school to upper secondary school and obtain the Abitur. However, it is also possible to obtain the Realschulabschluss or the Hauptschulabschluss. There are two well-equipped libraries, a pool, a large gymnasium, plenty of outdoor space for the children to let off steam and much more.
The school's concept has been a bound all-day school since the 2016/2017 school year, with the Thuringian curriculum being used here. Classes begin at 8 a.m. and do not end until 3:55 p.m., except on Fridays. From the fourth grade onwards, the primary school has three classes, whereas classes 1 to 3 have two classes. In the subjects German and Portuguese, the pupils are divided according to their language level (depending on whether they have German/Portuguese as a foreign or native language) and are supported according to their level of development. Mathematics, music, ethics/religion, art and physical education are also taught. There are also subjects such as FoFö (Forden und Fördern) and LÜZ (Lern- und Übungszeit). There is no homework at the school, but a weekly plan that is handed out on Mondays and handed in on Thursdays.
The special feature of the DSL is the so-called transition stage (4th - 6th grade), in which teachers from the primary school (4th grade) and the grammar school (5th and 6th grade) teach together. This is intended to make the transition from primary school to secondary school easier.

Did you accompany or lead a special project?

The primary school organised a "Festival of Cultures" in the last week of school, in which each class chose a special country and various activities were offered to the students in the mornings.
I was assigned to a first class with a really great teacher. She did a chick project "From egg to chick" in her class and "hatched" eggs in an incubator in class for 21 days. A really great idea that totally inspired all the students and also teachers as well as me.

Was it easy to get in touch with locals?

The Portuguese are super friendly, cordial and short conversations in the supermarket or across the street are not uncommon. The teachers at the DSL are also very open-minded and friendly.

How high was the cost of living at your internship location?

Comparable to Germany, but the rents in Lisbon are constantly increasing due to the high demand (rent 300-500 € for a room; varies depending on location).

What was the biggest challenge in connection with your stay abroad?

Definitely the lack of friends and family.

What did you miss most from Germany?

Again, it's my friends and my family that I missed the most. All material things can be bought in Portugal just like in Germany.

What do you miss from your host country?

• the serenity of the Portuguese
• the famous and damn tasty custard tarts called "Pastel de Nata"
• street music that accompanied me through every alley in Lisbon
• the connection and closeness to the water (Atlantic Ocean)

What would you recommend to others who are thinking about a stay abroad? What are the three reasons for doing your internship abroad?

My stay abroad helped me to develop personally enormously and to leave my comfort zone by overcoming my own limitations. Even if you have doubts at the beginning and leave your family and friends behind in your home country, you should simply take the plunge and be brave, because a stay abroad is very enriching in many ways.

1.     Personal development: You broaden your own horizons and change your views (change of perspective). By mastering new tasks and challenges, you can strengthen your self-confidence.
2.     Openness and tolerance: The openness towards other cultures and people is strengthened. Integration into a new unknown culture/world of life promotes acceptance and tolerance towards other people.
3.     Broadening horizons of experience: By travelling, exploring and moving in a foreign, new country.

What did you take away or gain from your country? Experiences, objects, friends or inspiration?

I didn't take any objects or material things with me from the country, it's more the experiences and adventures that I can talk about and rave about for a long time to come. If I were to try to put the decision to do an internship abroad and the associated stage of life into words, it would be the following:
It is often the first step into the unknown that prevents us from embarking on a great adventure. We should take it anyway, because it is worth it.
Great experiences taste sweet every time we think about them. Unfulfilled dreams become more and more bitter.

Interview with Lisa Kriebel about the internship abroad in Tenerife

Which country did you visit and for how long were you there?

I was on the Canary Island of Tenerife, Spain from September 2020 to February 2021 to escape the German winter.

Why did you choose your host country and the respective internship school?

I've always wanted to do a semester abroad in Spain because I'm very interested in Spanish culture, language and life. Of course, the good weather was also an important factor. The German school on Tenerife has a very good reputation and accepted me very quickly, so I took my chance.

Did you do your internship at a local school or at a German school abroad?

I did my internship at a German school abroad.

How was your school abroad different from the ones in Germany? How did the pupils learn in your host country?

The school is a comprehensive school that provides education from kindergarten through to the Abitur. There are no other differences to a German school, except for two additional subjects.
The pupils already learn the language in kindergarten through German educators..Furthermore, all other subjects of the primary school are taught in German, including German, science, maths, art, music, ethics, sports....  Many of them are Spanish, so from primary school onwards, Spanish is taught as a spoken and written language, as well as additional subjects in Spanish.

Did you accompany or lead a special project?

No, because we were unfortunately very limited in teaching during the Corona period and only front-of-class lessons or non-contact work was allowed in class. In addition, the classes were not allowed to mix.

Was it easy to get in touch with locals?

We lived very much in our German bubble with interns and teachers from the school. Since no events were allowed during Corona, it was difficult to meet locals. We did meet other Erasmus students in some bars and restaurants, and you could always have a little chat with the man from the supermarket.

How high was the cost of living at your internship location?

Living in Tenerife is expensive, as are bus rides and entrance fees. It is worth applying for the Residencia, which offers discounts for residents. However, you can eat out very cheaply and also buy food cheaply.

What was the biggest challenge in connection with your stay abroad?

The constant uncertainty of whether I would be able to start the internship and whether I would be able to see it through to the end.
And the irregularity of the buses, Germans are not used to such unpunctuality.

What did you miss most from Germany?

Halloumi and meadows.

What do you miss most from your host country?

The delicious tapas, the fresh fish, the sea, the sun and nature.

What would you recommend to others who are thinking about a stay abroad? What are three reasons to do your internship abroad?

YOU grow a lot by going to another country on your own and being on your own.
YOU become socially open and take a lot of experiences home with you.
YOU learn a new language and immerse yourself in another country.

What did you take home or gain from your country? Experiences, objects, friends or inspiration?

The people you meet on such trips usually have a similar motivation as you to be in this country, which means that a friendship or a nice acquaintance is pre-programmed. I also made very good friends there.
I saw such an impressive nature, which was formed by many different climates and offers so many opportunities that some experiences will stay in my heart forever.
The opportunities there helped me to go beyond myself and climb a volcano of 3,700 m and get a diving certificate, which I would never have dreamed of.

Interview with Henrike Bolli on the internship abroad in New York

Which country did you visit and for how long were you there?

New York, USA (March 2019, 4 weeks)

Why did you choose your host country and the respective internship school?

I was already an au pair in NY after my high school graduation in 2015. I knew the primary school from my host children at the time. I was able to complete my internship for a two-week period at a school abroad and see my host family and friends there again.

Did you do your internship at a local school or a German school abroad?

The primary school I attended is an American public primary school and is located in a suburb of Manhattan.

How did your school abroad differ from those in Germany? How did the pupils learn in your host country?

I was struck by the constant use and application of media in the classroom. These are more common in America and devices like smartboards or laptops/tablets are part of everyday school life (at least in richer areas).
Otherwise, I noticed that primary schools there go from pre-school (children are enrolled at 5) to grade 5, and these are full-day (from 8:20 am to 3:20 pm) for all students.
There is also a subject called "Library", where the children learn about the historical background of famous literary works and authors or holidays (if any are coming up) and can/should also borrow books regularly.
In Germany, this would be a supplement to "German lessons" and the holidays are dealt with in religion lessons. There are no religious education classes there!
Furthermore, there was a very strong security system. You couldn't get into the school without a passport (parents or others had to ring the bell and wait for the caretaker/security person to open up) and you had to sign in every time. I was given a sign with my name on it and what I was doing in the building for the period. I also attended a rehearsal for a rampage. (In addition, there are regular rehearsals there for fire alarms or for things that happen outside the building).

Did you accompany or lead a special project?

No. I gave a lesson on German culture and the pupils could ask me anything they always wanted to know about Germany. However, this was not a project.

Was it easy to get in touch with the locals?

 Yes, everyone was very open and friendly. They were also all very interested in German culture and happy to have "something new" in the classroom. There has never been a German trainee studying in Germany at this school.

How high was the cost of living at your internship location?

Very high: New York is very expensive!!!
Primary school teachers earn proportionally less than here in Germany, rent prices are incredibly high and food is also expensive.
I was glad that I had a place to sleep with my former host family and friends. In addition, the school was only 3 minutes away, so I could walk to school with my former host children, saving on travel costs.
New York City is nice for a while (as long as your pocket money lasts); however, If you want to stay there for a longer period of time, you have to work a lot to afford to live there.

What was the biggest challenge in connection with your stay abroad?

The registration (admission into the system) at the school.
In addition to my visa, I had to have fingerprints taken on site (comparable to our "certificate of good conduct"), which cost me $100 and proved to be difficult at times because I don't have American citizenship. But it all worked out and my contact person on site helped me a lot!

What did you miss most from Germany?

Instructions and a precise timetable (and German health insurance, but that had nothing to do with my internship.

What do you miss from your host country?

The open and very affectionate way between teachers and students.
I also miss the language and all the lovely people I was able to meet there.

What would you recommend to others who are thinking about a stay abroad? What are the three reasons for doing your internship abroad?

1. You improve your language skills.
2. You get to know wonderful people from all over the world and new cultures.
3. You gain experience for life. (Partly already in conversations with parents, teachers, children, etc.).

What did you take away or gain from your country? Experiences, objects, friends or inspirations?

• Inspirations and suggestions for my later profession as a teacher
• Independence
• contacts from teachers and parents for letters of recommendation, corrections of English papers or contacts for questions
• dear friends and interesting acquaintances
• Confirmation that the profession "primary school teacher" is the right one for me