Applications have now closed.
Since 2003, the NCRE and EUCN, in conjunction with Members of the European Parliament and the New Zealand Embassy in Brussels, have coordinated a programme allowing New Zealanders to work as interns for a Member of the European Parliament (MEP). Every year up to two postgraduate students from EUCN partner universities are funded to work as interns at the European Parliament. Additionally, funded domestic internships are available at the EU Delegation to New Zealand in Wellington and other places such as the NZIIA. The NCRE has an internship agreement with the Asia Europe Foundation (ASEF) for postgraduate students from the University of Canterbury to work as Interns at ASEF for 12 weeks. There are also incoming internships.
This programme forms part of the EUCN’s wider objective to increase New Zealanders’ awareness and understanding of the EU. The internships are designed to provide post-graduates with an opportunity to experience working in a real-life setting, as well as to assist their own research.
In all three internship categories, students work on a variety of projects, including but not limited to undertaking small research papers, helping to prepare documents, assisting with administrative tasks and event organisation. To gain the greatest benefits interns are expected and contribute in a significant way to the project they are attached to, interns are expected to work full-time (37.5 hours/week) during the internship. The exact starting dates will be negotiated with the hosting institution, however a preferred start date cannot be guaranteed.
After the closing date, all applications will be evaluated by an academic expert panel, and short-listed candidates will be interviewed in early May.
Read more about past interns’ experiences
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What are MEP Internships?
This programme allows NZ post graduate students with an interest in the EU to work as interns for a Member of the European Parliament (MEP). It is designed to increase awareness and understanding of the EU, the inner workings of the European Parliament and EU institutions, and equips students with practical, transversal skills relevant for professional careers. Being fluent in a second European language (besides English) is an advantage but not required.
Every year up to two postgraduate students are funded. Internships are normally for three months starting in September, however the exact timing will be negotiated with the MEP’s office and the intern.
The MEP Internship provides €5,000 to support return airfares to Brussels, accommodation, local transport and daily living costs during the internship. All expenditure must be in line with University of Canterbury and EUCN grant rules (Interns must return receipts to the project team).
Who is Eligible
To be eligible for the internship you must be a post-graduate student enrolled at an EUCN partner university for study (Hons, Masters or Doctoral level) and currently residing in New Zealand.
Interns are “EUCN and New Zealand Ambassadors” to the European Parliament and expected to assist the MEP’s office effectively in a very busy environment. Interns must be able to work full-time for the normally 3 months internship. MEP interns are expected to be available from September on each year. Exact timing will be negotiated with the New Zealand Embassy in Brussels and the MEP. Therefore, students are eligible if they have recently completed studies focused on the EU or are enrolled for a relevant course of study in 2017/18.
Interns will be required to produce a detailed report at the end of their internship and give a public seminar presentation upon their return about their experiences. Interns will also be asked to contribute to the EUCN facebook page on the work they are undertaking.
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[wptab name=’Domestic Internships’]
What are Domestic Internships?
EUCN in conjunction with the EU Delegation to New Zealand coordinate a domestic internship programme, to gain experience in a professional setting and translate theoretical skills and knowledge into tangible career and employment opportunities. The internship, and the networking opportunities increase awareness and understanding of policy-oriented organisations and governmental institutions. Interns learn to put theoretical skills and knowledge into practice and develop practical skills relevant for future careers.
Every year up to two postgraduate students are funded to work as interns at the EU Delegation to New Zealand, a Ministry, Embassy, NGO or other appropriate organisation. Domestic internships are normally for between four weeks and three months, however the exact timing will be negotiated with the hosting organisation and intern.
Interns receive funding to contribute to costs such as travel, acommodation, and daily living expenses. The amount depends on the length on the internship, placement, and other factors.
Who is Eligible
To be eligible for the internship you must be a post-graduate student enrolled at an EUCN partner university for study (Hons, Masters or Doctoral level) and currently residing in New Zealand.
Interns will be required to produce a detailed report at the end of their internship and give a short presentation upon their return about their experiences. Interns will also be asked to contribute to the EUCN facebook page on the work they are undertaking.
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[wptab name=’ASEF Internships’]
What are ASEF Internships?
The Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) was established in 1997 and is the only permanently established institution of the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM). ASEF promotes greater mutual understanding between Asia and Europe through intellectual, cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Interns are tasked with working on research projects, where possible aligned with their own research interests, related to New Zealand’s education, economic or trade agenda in Asia. The research work promotes their personal academic development and builds knowledge on relations between New Zealand and its Asian partners by producing (in conjunction with ASEF) innovative policy recommendations. Interns are supervised by an ASEF staff member, who will work closely with them on the project.
The ASEF Internship programme sends postgraduate students from the University of Canterbury to the Asia-Europe Foundation (based at the National University of Singapore) for a period of twelve weeks.
The ASEF Internship provides NZ$5000 to support return airfares to Singapore, accommodation, local transport and daily living expenses during the internship. All expenditure must be in line with University of Canterbury and grant rules (Interns must return receipts to the project team). This programme is supported by the Prime Ministers Scholarship for Asia, funded through Education New Zealand.
Interns will be asked to assist with a variety of tasks, including, but not limited to helping to prepare documents, undertaking smaller research papers, administrative tasks and organisation of events.
Who is Eligible
To be eligible for the ASEF Internship, applicants must be a postgraduate student enrolled at the University of Canterbury for study (Hons, Masters or Doctoral level), and a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
Interns are expected to contribute in a significant way to the project that they are attached to and are expected to work full-time (37.5 hours/week) during the 12 week internship. The exact timing of the internship will be negotiated with ASEF and the successful recipient, however, a preferred start date cannot be guaranteed.
Upon return to New Zealand, interns must produce a report detailing their experiences of the internship, a summary of the research work they performed, and any advice to be passed along to interns in the future. Interns will also be expected to deliver a public seminar at the University of Canterbury, discussing both the research project work undertaken as well as their experiences of the internship.
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How to Apply
To apply for these internship opportunities you must to complete the online application form and upload the required documents. The online application will ask for contact details, information to confirm eligibility of applicants, a paragraph explaining how the internship will benefit your course of study (or research) and why you will make a good candidate for the position. Please ensure that you have collected the required documents into ONE pdf file before filling in the online form as partially completed applications cannot be saved.
You can apply for multiple internships by completing one online application form for each internship, you will need to upload your combined ‘Required Documents’ PDF with each application. A maximum of one internship will be awarded per applicant, you can indicate your preferred internship on your form however there is no guarantee this is what you will receive. You will not need a separate reference form to be submitted for each internship you apply for.
You will receive an online acknowledgement of your application submission.
Required Documents
Letter of Reference
Ensure your academic referee emails us a pdf of your reference letter or fills in the reference form (link below). A copy of this does not need to be included in your combined pdf document
Curriculum Vitae
This CV can be no longer than three pages in length, and should focus on both academic and employment information, highlighting why you are a suitable candidate.
Transcript
This transcript must be an academic record from your university, containing your academic history. This must either be signed by the university, or by an academic supervisor. It is not necessary to purchase an official transcript from your university – a print out certified by your supervisor is sufficient.
Any Questions
For more information on applications or the application process, please contact:
Yvonne Grosch (DipPM) ANZIM
EUCN Projects Manager
University of Canterbury, National Centre for Research on Europe, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
Email yvonne.grosch@canterbury.ac.nz
We suggest that you contact the EUCN Staff Representative at your university to discuss the submission of your application. List of EUCN Staff Contacts at Partner Universities