Make a broad pre-selection of internship institutions

It makes sense not to apply to just one internship institution, but to write to several institutions that seem suitable in principle. This way, you don't run the risk of ending up empty-handed if one institution turns you down.

Apply early

For many internship institutions, especially if they are supraregional, national or international, the lead time for possible internships is often at least a year. Therefore, you should plan early on in your studies when you would like to complete your internship and at what time.

Express your own expectations of the internship place

Particularly in the case of internships in the "Studium Fundamentale - Berufsfeld" without specific concretisation of the knowledge to be gained in the internship, the internship place often has to ask what kind of knowledge the student is aiming for and why he/she has chosen the institution. It is therefore important to think about why exactly you are interested in this position and what expectations you have of the upcoming internship. This will also help the institution to get a better picture of the student and prepare the internship offer as appropriately as possible.

Do not insist on the exact time periods and number of hours specified.

Even if the examination regulations clearly state how many hours and weeks the internship must last in order to achieve a certain number of LPs, you should not insist on this too precisely. This is the minimum number of hours to be verified. Particularly in the case of a 3-LP internship, some internship institutions feel that the required (minimum) attendance time of 80 hours or two weeks is too short to give students a good insight into the workings of the institution. For this reason, there should be a certain willingness to compromise on the part of the students.

Aim for a subject-related connection to the degree programme

The internship to be selected should have a sufficient subject-related connection to the degree programme so that, on the one hand, there is a realistic chance of obtaining the internship and, on the other hand, the internship forms a useful supplement to the knowledge acquired at the university. It therefore makes sense - even in the open professional field of the "Studium Fundamentale" - to select institutions that are related to one's own subjects of study.

Select institutions according to interests, not according to supposed opportunities

In principle, you should not be afraid to apply for an internship at institutions that may be better known. If the institution in question offers internships whose requirements are clearly indicated, it is definitely worth a try. Even if acceptance seems unlikely at first glance, you should give it a try and not let yourself be deterred by the allegedly low chances of getting the place.

Workload and report

For internships under the framework examination regulations of 2010, 10 hours of the workload are allotted to the preparation of the internship report. With 3 LP, this leaves 80 hours for the actual practical work in the institution. For 6 LP, it is 170 hours. In the case of internships under the framework examination regulations of 2019 (B-PO-IntB-Ha-2021, B-PO-Sta-HN-2021, M-PO-Sta-2020), no reports are to be prepared, so that the full workload is allotted to the practical activity (180 hours for 6 LP). In the latter case, the module is included in the degree without a grade, but with the credit points. The academic achievement consists of the practical activity, which is evidenced by the signature of the internship institution. Even if no report is handed in and evaluated, a detailed personal reflection after the internship is strongly recommended, perhaps even in writing, if this helps to organise the thoughts. The aspects of the preliminary discussion with the internship supervisor can serve as orientation. It is possible to arrange a meeting with the internship supervisor or another teacher to reflect on the insights gained and the implications for the further career path after the internship.