Ein Praktikum im Herzen Europas: ERSTE LESUNG in Kooperation mit dem European Leadership Programme (ELP) macht es möglich

As a student in a European binational degree program, it had long been my wish to complete an internship in the EU bubble in the heart of Europe . Through my internship at ERSTEN LESUNG and as a Fellow of the European Leadership Programme ( ELP), I had the opportunity over the past few months to immerse myself in the world of public affairs and to closely observe the experiences of other trainees and interns in European institutions, NGOs , and think tanks.

ERSTE LESUNG and the ELP are collaborating to give young students an insight into the work of politics in Brussels. ERSTE LESUNG, a public affairs agency based in Berlin, Brussels, and Paris, contributes expertise in strategic consulting and communication, among other areas. The European Leadership Programme (ELP) is a five-month initiative of the Jesuit European Social Centre for graduates, offering a unique blend of leadership training and career guidance, in addition to professional and spiritual development. The program consists of five components: Leadership, EU Affairs, Volunteering, Coaching/Mentoring, and Community.  

For the past two months, I've had the opportunity to gain initial insights into public affairs work in Brussels at ERSTE LESUNG, working alongside a fantastic and dedicated team. As an intern in the Brussels office, I was involved in daily operations and client accounts from day one. Due to the diversity of client accounts, no two days are the same. Monitoring legislative processes in the European Parliament and the German Bundestag is a particular highlight for me, as the different client portfolios require me to delve into a wide range of topics. In addition to my daily monitoring tasks, I actively contribute to various ERSTE LESUNG communication products, including "Krautshell," a newsletter tailored to US public affairs professionals, which delivers the most important news from Berlin and Brussels every week. I find the compilation and analysis of information especially interesting. As a political science student, I find it incredibly important in today's world to follow the development of political decision-making processes and to help uncover important events and developments that give us all a better understanding of the political landscape.  

Through my participation in the ELP, I've also become part of a truly unique community of young, ambitious people who, just like me, are gaining their first or second experiences in Brussels. Therefore, I'm not only part of the EU bubble during work, but every day after work I come home to people – now friends – who not only understand my work but are also actively interested in exchanging ideas about EU politics, the latest gossip from parliament, or the everyday madness that is, after all, also part of EU politics.  

Another fantastic part of the program is the volunteering. At the start of the internship, the project manager from the NGO Servethecity introduced us to the world of volunteering in Brussels, and many participants soon seized the opportunity to get (further) involved at their respective locations – in my case, Brussels, Münster, and Gelsenkirchen. The activities range from team-building workshops, mobile libraries for the homeless, and collaboration with the Belgian Red Cross in organizing emergency shelters to projects in hospitals, French language courses, and visits to retirement homes. This experience helped me get to know not only the polished, glamorous side of EU Brussels, but also the "real," less glamorous side. It's an enriching experience for anyone who wants to engage with politics in the long term!   

Since the ELP originated from a Jesuit initiative, a certain connection to religion and spirituality is undeniable. As both topics had never played a significant role in my life before, this part of the program seemed like the biggest challenge for me. However, after two months in the program, I've realized that spirituality isn't just about worship, rules, and the church, but about so much more. The ELP offers us space to reflect on our desired role in the world. This can, of course, involve professional aspirations, but also our relationship with others and with ourselves.   

I am therefore incredibly happy to be part of the 10th cohort of the ELP through the FIRST READING and can only advise future FIRST READING interns and students to immerse themselves in this unique experience and supplement their time at the FIRST READING with even more Europe!   

Rebecca Schöler has been working as an intern for FIRST READING in Brussels since October 2023.