The Volunteer to Practice Media And Journalism in Germany Program is the perfect opportunity to meet and interact with people from different countries who work to help the refugees, immigrants, and local Germans in the city of Halle with any number of challenges. The Volunteer in Germany programs also offer the participant the opportunity to reside with a host family during the program, as well as visit a variety of city sites. The program participant will also have plenty of opportunities to visit neighboring German cities. 

Most importantly, the Volunteer to Practice Media And Journalism in Germany Program is an opportunity to build and develop your media and journalism skills. Program participants conduct video interviews, write articles describing our center’s activities, and write articles describing refugees’ lives, as well as daily life in Halle. Participants’ photography skills are also utilized in photographing the center’s activities.

Why is media important for the Volunteer in Germany organization?

The Volunteer in Germany organization seeks to inform people worldwide about its efforts to help refugees, immigrants, and local German residents. A part of our outreach is organizing activities to bridge cultures and understanding among people, which include language exchange meetings, international food days, international evenings, movie nights, socializing in cafes, and barbecues, to name a few.     

• The organization’s activities and programs address the educational and social challenges that face refugees and immigrants in assimilating into German society, including learning German as a second language and adapting to German culture.
• Volunteers and interns come to our center from many different countries around the world, such as the United States, Britain, Singapore, Japan, and China to name just a few. 
• Utilizing their talents and skills, center interns and volunteers assist refugees facing daily challenges through their work, such as teaching English. Volunteers and interns also organize interactive activities that will aid in further progressing assimilation and integration into Western and German society.

Reviews From Former Participants 

The Volunteer in Germany has welcomed individuals from all over the world since 2018. While we continuously develop our programs to provide the best possible learning experience, our fundamental mission remains the same: to connect, teach, and develop individuals within the local and international community.

In 2019, we received our first “Go Overseas Community Choice Awards”, recognizing the organization’s meaningful and unforgettable impact on the community of international travelers. Since then the Volunteer in Germany organization has been recognized as the 3rd best Volunteer Abroad Provider in the World in 2021 and was rated 2nd Most Fun opportunity in 2021 according to Gooverseas.com.

Our Learning German and Teaching English program has a wide range of positive reviews, which include: 

• +746 Reviews (96.8%) on Gooverseas.com 
• +100 Reviews (93%) on Goabroad.com
• Participants’ video testimonials. 

What I will be doing in the program?

The Volunteer to Practice Media And Journalism in Germany requires the following:

• Take pictures and videos documenting the activities, classes, and social and educational events sponsored by the center.
• Manage the social media accounts of the center (mainly Facebook and Instagram), as well as post pictures, videos, and general content on these accounts.
• Write three articles per week that focus on the following topics: Social and educational activities at our center; daily life in the city of Halle; the life of refugees in Halle and the challenges they face; and Arabic or German culture. Additional topics may be considered by the organization’s director who can provide a list of appropriate topics as well as guidance in the writing of articles.
• Conduct video interviews with locals, refugees, international volunteers, and interns regarding their experiences in our center and/or their daily lives in Halle, as well as their experiences living with a host family (when applicable).
• Creative and new video ideas are welcome. Coordination with the director is required.

Benefits of the Program for the Participant:

• Learn and/or improve your media and journalism skills.
• Study Arabic or German (3 hours per week) with one of our teachers, and practice it with native speakers.
• Participate in educational, social, and community activities organized by the center. These gatherings aim to provide a space where locals, refugees, immigrants, and program participants can meet and learn about one another and their respective cultures.
• Meet people from different countries and backgrounds, such as local Germans and people from Syria, Palestine, Yemen, Egypt, and many other countries.
• Experience the hospitality of Arab and German cultures.
• Explore the beautiful city of Halle.
• Travel around Germany each week during your three-day weekend (Friday-Sunday).
• Live with a host family.
• Enjoy daily breakfast at our center with the EC community.

The Volunteer in Germany (ViG) Daily Schedule:

• The volunteer begins his/her day with a breakfast at the center at 9:30 a.m.
• Following breakfast the volunteer spends the morning working on various media tasks, such as writing an article, producing videos, or taking photos of class or center events; 
• Lunchtime finds the volunteers and interns either cooking or preparing lunch at the center. Volunteers and interns may go out to eat instead of eating at the center;
• After lunch, the intern or volunteer takes a German or Arabic class. Afternoons are devoted also to completing a variety of tasks that may be requested by the Director until the center closes at 6:00 p.m. (closing times occasionally differ from day to day).
• After the center closes, the student has the chance to explore Halle, spend time with their host family, socialize with other participants, or join in evening activities organized by the center, to name just a few options.

Why Choose Halle (Saale)?

Halle (Saale) is a city that has received a large number of refugees. Because of this influx of refugees, Halle has become a very diverse city, with international students, interns, and volunteers adding to this diverse mix. Specifically, Martin Luther University in Halle is an educational destination that attracts many international students.

Halle is very close to some German cities, including Leipzig (25 minutes by train), Berlin (two hours by bus, one hour by train), and Dresden (two and a half hours by bus). It is also relatively close to Prague in the Czech Republic (four and a half hours by bus).

Am I eligible for this program and is it suitable for me?

• People between 18 and 75 years old are eligible to apply. Anyone who is younger than 18 years old may also apply, but a written parental consent form from one parent is required (the USA requires both parents to allow a minor child outside the country).
• No academic degree is required; however, for university students who study media, journalism, film production, communication, and any other related majors, this program may be especially interesting and beneficial. (Gap year students are also eligible.)
• University students who wish to study a semester abroad for university credit are eligible and well-suited to this program.
• Those who wish to learn Arabic or German in an immersion environment of Arab and German culture and daily life are eligible and well-suited to this program.

Brief Information of the Program

Place of Program	Halle, Germany
Program Fees	300€ a week – Euro
Age	18-75 Years Old
Minimum Duration	One Week
Maximum Duration	13 Weeks
Starting/Ending Dates	Flexible – Anytime
Application Deadline	No Deadline
Program Language	English
Days off	Three days a week (Fri – Sun)
Arabic Lessons	3 Hours a Week – Standard Arabic Or Ammiya
Educational Degree	Not Required
University Credit	Available

Do I need the experience to join the Volunteer to Practice Media And Journalism in Germany program?

• Minimal experience in taking pictures and videos is preferable.

What you do NOT need to join the Volunteer to Practice Media And Journalism in Germany Program

• An applicant does not need to know Arabic or German beforehand to participate.
• An applicant does not need lengthy professional experience.
• No academic degree or student status is required.

What airport should I fly to?

The easiest way to get to Halle (Saale) and our center is to fly to:

• Leipzig/Halle Airport: To travel from Leipzig/Halle Airport to the City of Halle (Saale) via train takes approximately 25 minutes. The train station is connected to the airport, and one should take good care to board the train heading for Halle (West) and not  Leipzig (East).  
• Berlin Brandenburg Airport: To travel from one of Berlin’s Airports to Halle, volunteers will either need to come by bus or by train once they have unboarded from their flight. 
  • To come via bus, volunteers will need to find routes available that are operated by either FlixBus or Eurolines. The commute from Berlin to Halle (Saale) should be approximately 2 hours by bus. 

• For volunteers wishing to travel from Berlin to Halle (Saale) via train, they will need to depart from Berlin Central Station (Berlin Hauptbahnhof); the commute will take approximately an hour and a half. Train tickets can be bought ahead of time through the Deutsche Bahn app or website or conveniently at the train station and airport.
• Frankfurt Airport: Both trains and buses are available to travel from the airport to the city of Halle (Saale) with both commutes taking approximately 3 – 4 hours. Please see above for further information regarding travel from outside airports.

Where do Media Program Interns and Volunteers Come From?

• The Volunteer in Germany has hosted many people who have come from a myriad of countries around the world, including the USA, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, China, Canada, Singapore, Poland, Turkey, and many more.

When Do I Apply to the Program? How long can I participate?

• The program is open year-round.
• You can apply at any time throughout the year.
• You choose your start and end dates.
• You can join the program for one week up to three months.

While you are participating in the Volunteer to Practice Media And Journalism in Germany, you may also want to join another volunteer or internship program. Check out the list below:

Internship in Germany (1-3 months)	Volunteer to Teach English and Study Arabic
Volunteer to Teach English and Study German	Study Arabic in Germany

What is the application process?

• The participant emails the Volunteer in Germany and requests an application.
• The participant fills out the application and returns it to us.
• We review the application with our team.
• We might invite you to interview via a Skype call.
• If we select you for the program, we will send you an acceptance letter and a contract.
• You sign the contract and send it back to us.
• You pay the fees.
• You are ready to come to Germany and join the program. Welcome!

Program’s fees?

The Volunteer in Germany charges a fee of 300€ a week, the cost includes:

• A tour of Halle
• 3 hours of German or Arabic
• Daily breakfast
• An accommodation
• In-country and pre-departure support
• Arabic or German classes
• A certificate of completion

How to apply:

Please send an email to Mr. Rafat Shantir at  info@eceurope.org .Please type “Volunteer to Practice Media And Journalism in Germany” in the subject line. We will send you the application form.

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