Overview
Insights and Objectives
The New Kibbutz program was established in 2015 to provide German students with practical insights into Israel's dynamic high-tech scene. Its aim is to deepen knowledge of Israel's innovation culture and to transport that knowledge back to Germany while expanding the professional network of young talents.
Program Content
Participants have the opportunity to intern at an Israeli startup or an established technology company. The program is complemented by cultural and political events that foster a deeper connection to the country and its people.
Funding and Partners
Thanks to partnerships with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), students receive financial support to facilitate their internships. The program targets students from the second semester onwards who are interested in innovation, entrepreneurship, technology transfer, and intercultural exchange.
Benefits and Experiences
In addition to valuable work experience, participants benefit from intensive exchanges with Israeli entrepreneurs and innovators. They experience firsthand the mentality of a country renowned for its startup culture and agility, and they gain practical knowledge in future technologies.
Application Process
Interested students can apply through the online portal. Selection is based on motivation, academic achievements, and relevant academic backgrounds. Selected participants undergo comprehensive preparation to optimally prepare them for their internship and stay.
Background – From Jaffa to Java
Voluntary work in a kibbutz has a long tradition, but Israel is no longer known solely for its agricultural exports. Today, it is recognized as a startup nation and high-tech superpower. While young people from Germany once traveled to Israel to volunteer in kibbutzim and help boost agriculture, students now seek to understand the reasons behind the rapid development of Israel's startup ecosystem. "New Kibbutz" reflects this shift.
With the support of the state governments of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, and Rhineland-Palatinate, AHK Israel and the Consulate General of Israel for Southern Germany launched the "New Kibbutz" project in 2015. Since the beginning of 2021, the DAAD and the Federal Foreign Office have become official partners of the program. With funds from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, participants are generously supported with scholarships.
The "New Kibbutz" program offers Bachelor’s and Master’s students from Germany the chance to intern in Israeli startups and more established companies, primarily in the high-tech sector. From marketing to software development, the portfolio includes a wide range of exciting activities within dynamic teams. In addition to working at their respective companies, internships are enhanced by workshops and excursions covering political, economic, historical, and social themes related to Israel. Participants may even visit the Knesset, top venture capital funds on Rothschild Boulevard, explore a traditional kibbutz, or learn about exciting innovations at the Peres Center's exhibition.
AHK Israel assists candidates throughout the application process, handles visa applications, supports organizational matters like finding suitable accommodation, and is always available for questions regarding life in Tel Aviv. Due to visa regulations, all internships within the program are unpaid. However, thanks to the DAAD scholarship, participants can finance their stay in Israel. Most companies also offer additional financial support in the form of meal reimbursements and coverage of transportation and phone costs.
Feedback from participating companies and alumni of the "New Kibbutz" program has been overwhelmingly positive. The Israelis' willingness to take risks contributes to the immediate trust placed in students, allowing them to take on projects independently from the start. It is not uncommon for participants to extend their internships or wish to remain in Israel indefinitely. While the Israeli work ethic, directness, and typically flat hierarchies can initially be disorienting, these factors quickly create a refreshing and pleasant work environment. Ultimately, it is the comprehensive experience that makes participants' stays successful: the independence in working at the company, the unique atmosphere of Tel Aviv, the exchange among interns, the friendships formed, and the overall enrichment brought by the country and its people.
For over nine years, students from various fields of study have participated in the program, returning to Germany with a wealth of experiences, newfound knowledge, and innovative ideas for their professional futures. The program clearly demonstrates how the mentality and work ethics of the two countries complement each other perfectly, with participants contributing to the improvement of German-Israeli relations.