Internships at Leiden International Centre
Discover the different ways that you can help internationals settle into their new home in the Leiden region.
If you are curious about what it is like to work for a small, international team in the vibrant Leiden region, then why not consider applying for an internship at Leiden International Centre?
Interns are an integral part of our team, and we hire them regularly throughout the year, many of whom complete an internship with us as part of their study programme. We usually ask for a minimum of 32 hours a week for 4 months, and have 3 approximate starting dates: January/February, May/June, and September/October. Learn more about the experience of being an intern at Leiden International Centre, and our current vacancies, on this page.
Internship Tasks
Our interns assist us in a wide range of different tasks. There are usually at least 2 Leiden International Centre interns at any given time, which gives you the opportunity to work with one another, and focus on different areas of our work. Regular tasks include assisting with social media planning (from drafting posts for our Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter pages, to scheduling and posting the final results), communications (such as creating and distributing our monthly newsletter), website management, writing articles for our website, and events (from information sessions to our Meet&Mingles). There are also often other projects or tasks that are less regular, such as researching our target audience or assisting with our Helpdesk.
Our Interns' Experiences
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Lea
Lea
"Living in Leiden, this internship was a perfect fit, allowing me to experience Leiden from a different but also very well-known perspective while supporting fellow internationals in arriving and settling into the city – a process I personally relate to after living in New Zealand and the Netherlands for five years.Prior to my internship, my main goal was to gain experience in an office setting, but now reflecting on the past four months, I can say that I’ve learned a lot and grown personally and professionally."
- Lea Dietzfelbinger, MSc Social Policy and Public Health
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Maria
Maria
"Coming from the States and starting a new job in the Netherlands is one of the most exciting yet nerve-wracking things I’ve done. Even with having gone on exchanges before, this one felt different since it was my first opportunity to work in my field after graduating; the stakes felt higher. It is one thing to intern somewhere but moving to a different country for an internship is another. Navigating this change on my own wasn’t the easiest but it was something I needed to do, and now at the end of it, I can say I learned so much and that it was worth it."
- Maria Infante-Pulido, BA of Arts and Sciences
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Yoana
Yoana
"Next to the technical aspects, doing this internship allowed me to bridge the gap between university and work life in a smooth and gradual way, which was one of my main motivations for applying. Having just graduated from university, I was unsure what steps to take and did not feel like I was ready to enter the workforce completely. This internship has given me the necessary confidence and skills to do so, making it an indispensable experience."
- Yoana Kartova, BA in International Studies
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Paulina
Paulina
"During my six-month internship at Leiden International Centre, I worked on a variety of tasks that provided me with useful skills: from social media planning and website management to event organization and helpdesk assistance. I learned a lot about working independently while also collaborating with a team, having regular meetings, and discussing each other’s progress."
- Paulina Bastián Alvarado, MA in Media Studies
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Jing-Yi
Jing-Yi
"During my internship, I worked both on tasks for LIC (such as social media and event organisation) as well as my own research project, for my master's, on internationals in the Leiden region. This gave me the chance to not only gain work experience but also to further my own studies and learn how to conduct my own research. The team is very friendly and welcoming, and I really appreciated that, even as an intern, my opinion was always valued."
- Jing-Yi Magraw, RMA Religious Studies
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Raúl
Raúl
''My internship taught me to work with different kinds of people on a professional level and in an international setting. I was able to sharpen existing skills – like writing and video editing - but also hone new ones – like co-organising events and managing social media. My time at Leiden International Centre was filled with valuable lessons and experiences. I am grateful for the people I have met, and the time I have got to spend here.''
- Raúl Kalb, BA in European Studies
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Anna
Anna
“I was particularly interested in this opportunity because of its international characteristics and hands-on approach to completing tasks, which provided me with valuable experience. I strongly suggest interning with Leiden International Centre for anyone keen on joining a committed and welcoming team. I am certain that this experience will enhance your career prospects in the future.”
- Anna Sipos, BA in European Studies
A Day in the Life
Would you like to know more about what a typical day in the life of a Leiden International Centre intern looks like? Take a look below for a glimpse into our interns' schedules! Of course, every day looks slightly different depending on the tasks that need to be done.
Be Part of a Vibrant and Close-Knit Team!
Being part of the team at Leiden International Centre also means participating in team activities and events! This could be by attending our monthly Meet & Mingle (a social event for internationals to meet one other in a more casual setting), joining our colleagues at our bi-weekly afternoon borrels, or attending cooking workshops with our Leiden&Partners colleagues (all of whom share an office with us). To work well as a team, it's important that we also have fun together, and that's why all of our interns are always welcome to join us at any of these (and other) company events and activities.
