Brussels Internships
Brussels is a nice city to live in, it has the international atmosphere and there is always something going on in town to satisfy all tastes. It is safe, in the center of Western Europe. Rent and living costs are not extravagant. The transport system is cheap and efficient. Brussels is the ideal city for an internship.
European Parliament Brussels Internships
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The European parliament is one of the main EU institutions in Brussels. It is formed by the Secretariat of the parliament (which is located in Brussels and Luxembourg) and the MEPs which travel between Strasbourg and Brussels. The Parliament works three weeks in Brussels and one week in Strasbourg. All expenses for traveling between the two cities are paid for. Some MEPs offer Brussels internships and Strasbourg internships. Internships in Brussels are called stages, and interns Stagiers.
There are now 732 MEPs coming from the 25 countries in the EU. Your primary concern would be MEPs from your country, this will give you an advantage over the other candidates to get your internship. However if you speak French or English, you can try the English and Irish MEPs. French speakers can try with Belgian, French and Luxembourg MEPs. Apply for Brussels Internships with MEPs that would need your expertise also gives you an advantage.
In the European parliament English is commonly spoken but a good command of French helps a lot.
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MEPs work is very varied, this depends on which committees they are members of and how active the MEPs are in their constituency. Your Brussels Internship will be more interesting, depending on the MEP you are working. MEPs have to attend meetings, travel to Strasbourg, meet lobby groups and Brussels lobbyists. In your Brussels internship (or Brussels stage), you have to help in all these activities. Some MEPs are also very active with the media, experience in Press work will also help you substantially in getting an internship with such MEPs. MEPs also need to keep in contact with their constituents, reply to their letters and queries.
Interns or Stagiers are involved in most of the work of an MEP. Payment for Brussels internships is in the form of a subsistence allowance for a Brussels internship. Some MEPs have interns in both Brussels and Strasbourg. MEPs are in Strasbourg only 4 days a month.
Stagiers and Interns do get jobs as full time assistants to MEPs so if this is your objectives, becoming getting an internship with an MEP is a good starting point.
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See Also :
Commission Stage for information on internships with the Commission
Eu Agencies
Eu Agencies (contd.)
Eu Institutions
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