Go International encourages learning from each other to enrich careers

Gaining international professional experience while receiving vocational training is a dream for some. Thankfully, those who are studying vocational education in Germany can now apply for a funded internship in Turkey. The Go International program as of fall is giving 15 people the opportunity to get international job experience in Turkey along with the opportunity to get to know the culture and language up close.

Having been very successful last year, the Go International program is starting again for the second time. Youth will be able to get an internship at a business in the field they are training in and they will be able to learn new job methods and techniques. Professional technical, trade and social vocational branches are offered, and participants who wish to organize an internship on their own can do so. Participants usually stay as a guest with a host family during the course of the internship, which helps them develop their Turkish- and English-language skills.

The Go International exchange program is a project conducted in collaboration with Youth Bridge Turkey-Germany and the German Youth for Understanding Committee. Youth Bridge Turkey-Germany CEO Dr. Catharine Dufft said, "Vocational education students rarely find the opportunity to participate in an international exchange project. Our aim with this project is to change this situation in the next few years and give young people the opportunity to experience it. Especially when we keep in mind the future of international business mobility, this project is a great opportunity to collect first experiences." Additionally, German Youth for Understanding Committee Vice President Kea Hoppe said: "Especially in today's professional environment, mutual understanding and rapprochement between people in Germany and Turkey is important. Therefore, those who receive vocational education will be able to enter the business community of Turkey and live an intercultural experience." Hoppe added that the project is sustainable in nature, as there will be intense preparation and evaluation seminars before and after the internship, educational counseling and amenities such as placement in a host family. The trip to Turkey will begin on Oct. 5, 2016. There will be no travel and program expenses for the participants. Those aged between 16 and 23, receiving dual vocational training and know basic English and/or Turkish are eligible to apply.