Information for young people about Germany

This compilation provides information around youth mobility, international meetings and programs in Germany. It gives you an overview of the most important organisations in Germany in the area of international exchanges, sponsorship opportunities, German language courses and jobs or internships. Furthermore, you will find general information about Germany and information on traveling and accommodation.

More Information links about studying, working, voluntary work and travelling in Germany (and the other european countries) can be found in the blue information box at the right side on this page!

    A short film about travelling and living in Germany for young people (4:26):

    General Country Information

    The Press and Information Office of the German government presents general information about Germany at www.deutschland.de. More publications and political news about Germany can be found on the homepage of the German government (www.bundesregierung.de).

    The website www.young-germany.de gives you information about living, working and studying in Germany.

    Publications as well as extensive material on Germany can be requested from the Goethe Institut Inter Nationes e.V. The Goethe Institut Inter Nationes e.V. works as a world-wide agency for promoting German language and culture (www.goethe.de).

    The Federal Ministry for Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) supports political, cultural and international youth work in the form of donations towards organisations and youth associations. It does not organise programmes itself. Information about youth policy and youth welfare services in Germany as well as numerous additional brochures and publications can be requested free of charge at the webpage: www.bmfsfj.de/BMFSFJ/Service/publikationen.html

    Information about Germany and basic information about youth work in Germany are available on the webpage of IJAB in the Database of International Youth Work (www.dija.de).

    Gereral country information you can find here.

    You can also find helpful information on the EU Immigration Portal.

    International Meetings and Programs in Germany

    Detailed information about international meetings and programs in Germany is listed in our database. Enter the kind of programme you would like to take part in and the country name "Deutschland" and you will get a list of organisations, which offer the specific programme you are looking for.

    The program "moving times" addresses young people from 18-25 years, who don't quite know what they want to do after graduating or want to take time off to reorientate themselves. The aim of the project is to give you an occupational orientation and to help you develop your personality. Here you find more information.

    The „Schwarzkopf“ foundation supports young people travelling through Germany with a grant of 550 Euro. The journey is supposed to focus on a special subject which is to be explained in the application form. To apply for this program you have to be 18 to 26 years old. Click here for further information. 


    "The Job of My Life"
    New German special program to promote youth mobility within Europe
    This new program is directed to youth and unemployed young professionals of all around Europe who are interested in doing an in-company vocational training or entering skilled employment in Germany.
    You can get more information about the program and the conditions via this link www.thejobofmylife.de.




    Sponsorship Opportunities

    Eurodesk is a European youth information network that will help with questions concerning sponsorship programmes, education, training, youth, or mobility in Europe. On www.eurodesk.eu you can find information about the network and the contact details of the Eurodesk offices: www.eurodesk.eu/edesk/Contact.do.

    The EU Programme YOUTH IN ACTION promotes youth meetings and initiatives of young people and supports European volunteer services (volunteer services by young people at charitable organisations in European countries of several months duration). Detailed information on this action programme of the European Union can be obtained from the European Commission's homepage at ec.europa.eu/youth/index_en.html or at the
    German Agency YOUTH: www.webforum-jugend.de, E-Mail: jfe@jfemail.de.

    The Youth and Co-ordination Offices work on a bilateral level and promote getting to know each other, mutual understanding and collaboration of young people.

    Deutsch-Französisches Jugendwerk
    Molkenmarkt 1
    D-10179 Berlin
    Fax: +49 30 288757-88
    E-Mail: info@dfjw.org
    Internet: www.dfjw.org
    Office franco-allemand pour la Jeunesse - OFAJ
    51, rue de l'Amiral-Mouchez,
    F-75013 Paris
    Fax: +33 1 40781888
    E-Mail: info@dfjw.org
    Internet: www.ofaj.org

     

    Deutsch-Polnisches Jugendwerk
    Friedhofsgasse 2
    D-14473 Potsdam
    Fax: +49 331 297527
    E-Mail: buero@dpjw.org
    Internet: www.dpjw.org
    Polsko-Niemiecka Wspólpraca Mlodziezy - PNWM
    ul. Alzacka 18, 03-972 Warszawa
    Fax: + 48 22 6170448
    E-Mail: biuro@pnwm.org
    Internet: www.pnwm.org

     

    Koordinierungszentrum deutsch-tschechischer Jugendaustausch - TANDEM
    Maximilian Str.7,
    D- 93047 Regensburg
    Fax: +49 941 5855722
    E-Mail: tandem@tandem-org.de
    Internet: www.tandem-org.de
    Koordinacní centrum cesko-nemeckých výmen mládeže -
    TANDEM

    Americká 42
    306 14 Plzen
    Fax : +420 19 7184169
    E-Mail: tandem@mbox.zcu.cz
    Internet: tandem.adam.cz

    Koordinierungsbüro für den deutsch-israelischen Jugendaustausch - Conact
    c/o Evangelische Akademie Sachsen-Anhalt e.V.
    Altes Rathaus
    Markt 26
    D-06886 Lutherstadt Wittenberg
    Fax: 03491 4202-70
    E-Mail: info@ConAct-org.de
    Internet: www.conact-org.de

    Stiftung Deutsch-Russischer Jugendaustausch gGmbH
    Mittelweg 117b
    D-20149 Hamburg
    Fax : +49 (0) 40.87 88 679-20
    E-Mail: info(@stiftung-drja.de
    Internet: www.stiftung-drja.de

    What is Au-pair?

    Au-pair programmes are among the oldest existing international exchange schemes. Au-pairs help with childcare and housework duties and receive pocket money in return. One of the primary aims of an au-pair stay is to develop strong language skills. Au-pairs are supposed to learn the language of their host country and develop cultural competences.

    Here you can find further information about Au-pair in Germany: www.guetegemeinschaft-aupair.de. The Guetegemeinschaft Au pair w.V. aims to secure a high standard of provision and care fpr Au-pair jobs through inspection and grading under the recognized RAL Quality Seal procedure. Compliance with the provision relating to quality and inspection is monitored by a board of inspection bound to neutrality.

     

    If you're interested in the Au-pair program you can search for certificated organizations under www.guetegemeinschaft-aupair.de.

     

     

    Information on Travelling and Accommodation

    Before you come to Germany, you should inform yourself about the exact entry regulations. This information is available from the respective German embassies and consulates in your home country or on the website of the German Foreign Ministry: www.auswaertiges-amt.de.

    Tourist information about Germany can be found at the Central German Tourism Office: www.germany-tourism.de. The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) provides information about travelling and accomodation in Germany as well as an info-special for young people on fashion, architecture, entertainment and much more: www.germany.travel/en/index.html.

    If you want to travel to Germany by rail, you may want to look at the many attractive offers, e.g. EURO DOMINO, a low-cost European Rail Ticket. Within Germany the German train system (Deutsche Bahn AG) offers several other discounts for young people and groups. Their sales agents and their website at www.bahn.de inform about schedules and other services.

    Reductions while travelling can be obtained using a student identity card. When travelling abroad buying an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is worthwhile. It allows for several reductions before and while travelling and can be obtained from student's offices or student travel agencies. For further information turn to www.isic.de.

    Presently more than 600 Youth Hostels in Germany offer reasonably priced accommodation. You need a membership card to be admitted. Many youth hostels now accept pre-bookings from other hostels or via the Internet using the International Booking Network (IBN). Further information is provided by the International Youth Hostel Federation (www.iyhf.org) or the German Youth Hostel Association (www.djh.de).

    Hostels you do not need a membership card for are the "Schullandheime" (primarily for school groups, but you can also book individual stays). You can find these hostels on www.schullandheim.de (only in German; choose "PLZ Karten Suche" to see a map of Germany).

    More hostels can be found on www.gomio.com.

    In Germany there is a closely-knit net of Naturfreunde-Häuser (houses of friends of nature) where cheap accommodation is available: http://www.naturfreundejugend.de

    In university cities the Studentenwerk (student administration) often helps with lodging or exchanging apartments: http://www.studentenwerke.de/

    Long and short term temporary accommodation can be arranged by the Mitwohnzentralen (temporary accommodation offices). The Ring of Temporary Accommodation Offices in Europe offers the same service on a European basis. The German office can be found at http://www.mitwohnzentrale.de.

    For further information on travelling and accomodation see: www.europa.eu/youth/travelling_europe/index_de_en.html

    Further general information for young people coming to Germany is available on: www.young-germany.de

    All information was carefully researched. Nevertheless a guarantee for correctness cannot be given.

    Essen - European Capital of Culture

    Essen, the city in the central part of the Ruhr area in North Rhine-Westphalia was chosen by the EU as Capital of Culture 2010. Essen is the representative for the culture and pretiness of the whole area. Eurodesk.tv shows you in the new episode what a visit pays off.

    Voluntary Services

    Being a volunteer means investing your time and energy for the benefits of others without financial gain, for example working for a non-profit organisation. As a volunteer you may work in many different fields such as health, arts and culture, social care or environment.

    During short-term voluntary services you work for 1-4 weeks as a volunteer. These services offer the possibility to learn more about the life in Germany. For only a small agency fee, you get the chance to participate in a workcamp or help on a farm. In return you will get free board and lodging.

    Workcamps in Germany

    Wwoofing in Germany


    Long-term voluntary services can last between 3–24 months and are a useful opportunity to use the time after school and before you start working or studying. Furthermore long-term voluntary services enable you to experience the host country and its culture and gain social and intercultural competences.

    Governmental Federal Voluntary Service

    European Voluntary Service

    Voluntary Social Year/ Voluntary Ecological Year

    German-French Voluntary Service (only for French volunteers)

    German-Israeli Voluntary Service (only for Israeli volunteers)

Login
Benutzername:
Passwort: