FAQs

Following the devastating Hamas attack on October 7, Israel has declared a state of war. While Tel Aviv has returned to a new form of "normality," the security situation remains tense in the border areas of northern and southern Israel. Rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip by Hamas and near-daily attacks by Hezbollah from Lebanon continue. Due to the ongoing unrest, the travel warning issued by the Foreign Office remains in place. However, since March 2024, internships on-site are possible under certain precautions. Remote internships are also an option as long as the travel warning is in effect.

Volunteering in a kibbutz in Israel has a long tradition. However, Israel is no longer known solely for its export of agricultural products. Today, Israel is often referred to as a "Startup Nation" and a "Hi-Tech Superpower." While in the past young people from Germany traveled to Israel to promote agriculture and work in the orange groves of the kibbutzim, today students from across Germany are interested in the startup ecosystem and the reasons behind its rapid development. The "New Kibbutz" program reflects this shift and supports German students in exploring Israel’s high-tech scene.

The application must be submitted in English through the online form under the "Application Procedure" tab -> "Apply Now."

Once you have received written confirmation of an internship position, you can apply for funding through DAAD. The application for the scholarship must be submitted exclusively through the DAAD portal. For more information on funding, please refer to the "Funding" tab or visit the DAAD website.

AHK Israel assists you with securing an internship position at an Israeli company through the New Kibbutz Program. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides funding for the scholarship as part of the internship. Please note that these are two separate application processes. First, you apply to AHK for an internship placement, and after receiving written confirmation from your host company, you apply for the scholarship through DAAD, as explained in the "Application Procedure" tab.

• The application for an internship must be submitted through the AHK Israel online portal no later than five months before the start of the internship. Missed the deadline? No worries. Contact us to check if a shorter-term placement is still possible.
• The application deadline for the DAAD scholarship is 46 days before the start of the internship—no exceptions can be made.

Given the dynamic nature of the New Kibbutz Program and particularly the startup scene in Israel, we recommend submitting your internship application no earlier than 6 months before the start of the internship.

1. Enrollment at a university/FH for the entire duration of the internship.
2. Proficiency in business English.
3. Relevant skillset according to the respective internship descriptions.
4. Eligibility to obtain a valid visa for Israel.

No, German students who are enrolled at a foreign university in a third country and are not permanently residing in Israel at the time of application are also eligible to participate in the New Kibbutz Program. Additionally, international students pursuing a degree in Germany are eligible to participate as well.

The Letter of Approval is available for download in the tab "application procedure".

The motivation letter is addressed to our contacts at the respective companies and should be generally formulated. It can highlight your interest in Israel and the startup scene, as well as your strengths and experiences.

If you wish to submit an additional motivation letter for a specific position, you can send it via email to liron@ahkisrael.co.il.

It is not necessary to submit additional documents such as reference letters. Ultimately, you will make an impression in Israel with your personality (e.g., during a Zoom interview) rather than with what is on paper.

To pursue your internship as part of the New Kibbutz and enjoy the benefits of the program, the company must officially be part of our portfolio of host companies. It is possible that you might find a startup that is not yet part of the program but is willing to offer you an internship position. In this case, you can facilitate contact between the company and AHK Israel to arrange the necessary details.

The timing depends on the company. As soon as we receive notification from the company, we will promptly pass this information on to you. Communication channels can be slower with established companies, while startups usually respond more quickly. If you do not hear from us within more than 3 weeks, please do not hesitate to follow up.

To apply for the DAAD scholarship, you must first have an internship offer following successful placement through the New Kibbutz Program. Additionally, you must be at least in your second semester of a bachelor's program and be enrolled for the entire duration of the internship. For more information, please visit the DAAD scholarship database.

Once the scholarship has commenced, neither the internship nor the scholarship can be extended.

Since the DAAD has been our official partner since 2021, our participation conditions are aligned with those of the DAAD. If you are not a student and wish to participate independently, you would need to cover the placement fee, insurance, and any other incurred costs yourself.