EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
Internships
Member of the European (MEP) Internships
MEP internships are suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 and 2022.
This programme allows NZ postgraduate 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 support for 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 grant rules (Interns must return receipts to the NCRE project team).
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the internship you must be a post-graduate student enrolled for study (Hons, Masters or Doctoral level) and currently residing in New Zealand.
Interns are "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.
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 NCRE Facebook page on the work they are undertaking.
Application Process & Required Documents
MEP internships are currently suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are happy to offer a number of domestic internships. To apply you must to complete the online application form and upload the required documents.
Applications must be submitted by end of March each year. Late or incomplete applications cannot be accepted. Please follow the following steps to complete your application:
Collect and collate the following documents and save them into ONE pdf file.
- One-page summary of intended course of study and connected research.
- If you have previously received funding from NCRE outline your research progress.
- A half-page motivational statement as to why you want to be an intern, what you will bring to this role and studies will benefit from this.
- One page that outlines your budget (i.e. flights, accommodation, local transport, etc) and a proposed timeline.
- Your CV which must be no longer than one page in length. Please outline both, your academic and employment/volunteering information.
- Your academic record (transcript) containing your academic history. This must either be signed or certified by the university, a supervisor or administrator with departmental stamp.
Complete the Application Form and upload the pdf file containing the required documents before the deadline.
Ensure your academic referee emails ncre@canterbury.ac.nz a pdf of your reference letter.
Domestic internships
NCRE 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.
Postgraduate students are funded to work as interns at the EU Delegation to New Zealand, a Ministry, Embassy, NGO or other appropriate organisation for three months and the exact timing will be negotiated with the hosting organisation and intern. For this application round, internships must start before 01 July 2023.
Interns receive up to NZ$ 5,000 funding to contribute to costs such as travel, accommodation, and daily living expenses. The amount depends on the length on the internship, placement, and other factors.
This programme forms part of the EU’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.
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.
Who is Eligible?
To be eligible for the internship you must be a post-graduate student enrolled 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 NCRE Facebook page on work they are undertaking.
After the closing date, all applications will be evaluated by an academic expert panel, and short-listed candidates will be interviewed.
Contact martin.holland@canterbury.ac.nz for further information.
