Berlin’s modern and historical charms will not be lost on an intern abroad. The German capital has so much to offer a young person eager to boost their career and experience a new culture. Berlin’s many parks, museums and festivals will keep interns occupied around the clock as they soak in the city’s treasures. Here are our top 7 reasons why you should do an international internship in Berlin.
Berlin’s rich history is omnipresent throughout the city. One of the most globally significant historical sites in all of Germany is the Berlin Wall Memorial – or Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer – which serves as a reminder of the historical importance of the structure that once divided the country. And crossing the Havel River is the Glienicke Bridge, which also helped make up the border between West and East Germany and was used to exchange captured spies.
Those doing international internships in Berlin will appreciate its numerous green spaces (some 2,500), like the Zoologischer Garten. It’s the most popular zoo in Europe and contains an enormous array of animal species. Berlin’s Botanical Gardens (Botanischer Garten) is another green destination, where you can see some 22,000 types of plant species. Meanwhile, the city’s largest park, Tiergarten, is a dream for enjoying a sunny afternoon.
Berlin has a number of booming industries, particularly the high-tech sector, creative sector and it also boasts a diverse start-up scene. The area is also known for its large concentration of industrial manufacturing. Being a center for innovation, Berlin is an attractive spot for interns interested in related fields.
A lot has influenced Berlin’s architecture due to the city’s history. The capital city’s many governments have left their mark on the city. Neoclassical architecture can be spotted in the Gendarmenmarkt square and the Brandenburg Gate, an iconic German structure. Meanwhile, the Schloss Bellevue is the city’s oldest historical palace, built in 1786.
Berlin has a number of outstanding food markets that offer a diverse range of cuisine from around the world. Thai Park, in Preußenpark, offers some of the best authentic Thai food in town. A great traditional market would be Marheineke Markthalle, which sells both German and Turkish dishes. And when the weather is nice, locals flock to Bite Club for anything from arepas to jerk chicken sold at the many food trucks in the area.
Berlin is city with a heavy history, which has been captured in many of its museums and memorials. The Holocaust Memorial and Jewish Museum, for one, explore the horrors of Nazi Germany. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, Museum Island, offers five different museums in the same area by the River Spree, featuring Islamic, Hellenistic, Egyptian works.
Berlin offers a plethora of exciting cultural events which draw in a diverse and young crowd. The electro-rock event, Berlin Festival, for one, is a fabulous two-day music festival held at a former airfield. Stadtlichter, Sultans Fest, Berlin Circus Festival and Oktoberfest are just a few more of the many wonderful culture and music festivals going on in the city every year.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin#Culturem, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellevue_Palace_(Germany), http://www.visitberlin.de/en/keyword/open-air-events-festivals, http://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Berlin-and-the-European-startup-race-for-innovation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Wall, http://worldliciouz.com/7-reasons-why-you-should-visit-berlin-twice/, http://peekingduck.co/five-great-berlin-food-markets/
Photo 1. based on Summer in Berlin, by Jörg Schubert, CC-by-2.0
Photo 2. based on Berlín, by Rodrigo Paredes, CC-by-2.0
Photo 3. based on Silvester Berlin 2010, by Marcel Berkmann, CC-by-SA 2.0