Internship - Study Abroad Coordinator - CEPA - Customized Educational Programs Abroad

Internship – Study Abroad Coordinator

CEPA Head Office in Ingersheim (near Stuttgart)

CEPA is a German-based company which specializes in university-level academic faculty-led programs, summer and semester programs, as well as the organization of higher level seminars and professional workshops.

Duration:
6 months starting January / March / September

Benefits:

Complimentary lunch to days per week
Flexible working hours
Remote work flexibility
Team events
Free lodging if needed

Responsibilites:

Project management: organization and implementation of faculty-led programs in Europe
Expanding and cultivation contacts with companies and institutions that welcome our groups
Budgeting and cost control
Research and analysis on cultural and academic topcis related to study abroad topics and regions
Evaluation and customer reviews

Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree (tourism, business administration, cultural studies or similar)
Previous experiences abroad and in the organitation of events/group trips preferred
Fluency in German and English, further language skills in French, Italian and/or Spanish preferred
Advanced MS Office skills
High level of teamwork and communication skills

Compensation:
To be discussed

Take advantage of an internship at CEPA and support our steadily growing team at Ingersheim Castle near Stuttgart.

We are a young, dynamic, and customer-oriented company, with a can-do attitude and a passion for what we do. It is very important to us that we provide each group with the ideal academic program, individually prepared for their needs. An internship at CEPA in Ingersheim combines the opportunity to work in a small-sized company with an educational spirit and a motivated team.

Apply for this position online

References – Read what former interns have to say about their experience at CEPA:

“During my last semester of my master course, I worked as an intern for six months for CEPA. My first impression of the team is that it felt like a small family right away. From the moment I joined the team I felt welcomed. As my first working experience in Germany, I got the chance to try out various tasks and responsibilities from organizing the itinerary as well as communicating with the service provides form different countries throughout the course of my internship. This allowed me to obtain interesting cross-cultural experience and moreover helped me to develop my cross-cultural skills.

From the first task the team trusted me and assigned me jobs that were interesting as well as challenging, being able to work independently allowed me to grow within the company professionally as well as personally. The team was always available and willing to answer all my questions. Lastly, I would recommend an internship at CEPA if you would like to gain valuable experience in the tourism industry, work independently on various projects and learn about different cultural perspectives.”

HELENE H.February - July 2023

“I worked at CEPA for seven months for a mandatory internship as part of my studies in tourism management. I stayed at the accommodation provided by CEPA, which is perfectly suitable.

The introduction to the company and the training for new team members is extremely well organized and practice based.
As a study abroad coordinator, I learned how to organize faculty led programs. I was responsible for several programs which required me to work independently and be part of the entire process. Creating and coordinating schedules is something I always enjoyed, and it has been very useful in my role. However, I have learned the most about efficient communication and time management. This has been vital when consulting with service providers and university partners and will also be a valuable skill in the future.

Luckily, I had the opportunity to welcome one of my study groups in Germany in person, which made my own work more tangible and was a wonderful experience.

The high season was challenging and required flexibility. Like all team members, I sometimes had to find solutions on short notice. This being said, I could always rely on my colleagues for help and guidance. I do not say this lightly, the level of teamwork and mutual support at CEPA is truly exceptional.

My time at CEPA helped me immensely progress on a professional and personal level. I am grateful for this opportunity and that I could learn so much in my time as team member. I would recommend an internship at CEPA to those interested in engaging with people from different backgrounds and creating customized programs that can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for students.” You should be able to take on responsibility and will have the chance to learn from everyone on the team.”

FAYE LEHMANN-WHITTY

“I worked as an intern at CEPA in Ingersheim for five months in a mandatory internship. While studying tourism, an internship at CEPA has been a perfect fit for my practical experience. As the pandemic was still present, I was lucky to be able to go to the office almost every day. During our onboarding weeks, I was able to learn the work at CEPA step by step. The CEPA spirit driving the team and the company is unique. I felt welcomed from the first day. The team is motivating and inspiring and I felt like being part of a little family.

As CEPA is a tour operator I learned how to organize an educational study abroad program independently. However, I could always ask questions and get help if I didn’t know how to move forward. I communicated with several tour operators involved in the programs which helped a lot with language and communication skills.

Apart from organizing study abroad programs, I was able to be part of creating marketing material and shaping the sustainability strategies of CEPA. Being able to gain experience in marketing activities, I felt supported and learned a lot about teamwork and in terms of organizational skills.

Moreover, I had the chance to travel to the second office in the Château in Strasbourg to meet the other part of colleagues working at CEPA.

Being part of CEPA for five months I met a lot of interesting and inspiring people, gained a lot of knowledge regarding business matters with European Tour Operators, and languages, and worked in an intercultural environment.

I would definitely recommend doing an internship at CEPA to anyone who considers working in tourism or in an intercultural environment.”

LISA VON DER HEIDE

“Working as an intern for CEPA Europe was an incredible learning experience. Interns at CEPA are given full responsibility for organizing faculty-led programs, including communication with partner companies and arranging international travel logistics. The potential for professional capacity building is remarkable – my German language skills have benefited greatly from being immersed in a German business environment, and I gained first-hand experience of the inner workings of a small, dynamic team. The team atmosphere is what truly sets CEPA apart: although the work is challenging, I always felt the support of my colleagues. I would recommend an internship at CEPA to anyone interested in an international business career!”

AMY CHEUNG

“In the context of my master study, Tourism Development Strategies, I completed an internship at CEPA located in Ingersheim. From day one, the team in Ingersheim was cordially receiving me. Also, they trusted me and assigned to me very interesting and challenging tasks. I really liked to go to work every morning… also because I had a very good relationship to my colleagues and to my boss. The level of support by my colleagues and my boss was outstanding.

During my entire internship, I learned continuously not only with respect to business matters but also with regard to teamwork as well as communication and networking with others. Since we have university groups travelling all over Europe, I worked with service providers from different countries and cultures and could gain interesting intercultural experiences. I can really recommend doing an internship at CEPA, if you are open, motivated and interested in something different.”

JESSICA VEITH

“I recently completed my mandatory internship at CEPA GmbH in Ingersheim as part of my bachelor’s degree in Tourism Management. This internship provided me with invaluable insights and practical skills that will greatly benefit my future professional career.

From day one, I felt warmly welcomed and appreciated as a member of the team. The team members were friendly, approachable, and always willing to assist me whenever I had questions or needed guidance. The supervisors and mentors made an effort to create an inclusive atmosphere, encouraging me to share my ideas, ask questions, and actively contribute to the work. They were receptive to receiving feedback that could improve the work processes and also provided me with invaluable feedback on my own performance. Whenever I encountered difficulties, I felt comfortable seeking advice and consultation from my team members. The teamwork made my internship experience enjoyable and fostered a sense of community.”

One of the highlights of my internship at CEPA GmbH was the opportunity to work independently. My responsibilities included organizing and coordinating comprehensive study abroad programs for American universities. Since I worked on a variety of programs in different countries with diverse topics, my work was consistently engaging and never monotonous. While some tasks were more routine, others presented interesting challenges that allowed me to develop my problem-solving skills and think creatively. To be successful at CEPA GmbH, I needed to be well-organized and proficient in time management to finish the individual tasks on time.

In conclusion, my internship at CEPA GmbH was a great learning experience that equipped me with invaluable practical skills and insights into the industry. The supportive work environment and diverse range of projects were significant strengths of the internship program. This internship was an important experience for my professional growth and will undoubtedly prove highly advantageous for my future career. Overall, I can recommend considering an internship at CEPA GmbH to those seeking a valuable learning opportunity and who has the ability of self-management and organization.

ISABELL M.February - July 2023

“The six months of my internship at the headquarters in Ingersheim went by in a flash. I really enjoyed working in a team that is truly more like a family and gives you all the support you need to fulfill your own tasks.

After a brief introduction to the history of CEPA and a more detailed look at the business philosophy and operations, I started working and organizing the actual study abroad programs. It was a great feeling how the responsibility grew with each task I was given, and I could see the outcome of careful planning and effort. Of course, it was not always easy due to the coronavirus situation and the different regulations in the EU countries, but I learned with every step and grew with each challenge.

The internship taught me that it is better to plan everything through and to be one step ahead of everything. At the same time, it has also shown me that there are always alternatives to keep things going, even if not as planned. In addition, my time management has improved significantly, as has my business English, both written and spoken. I am very glad that I did my internship at CEPA and can sincerely recommend it to everyone who is interested in the tourism industry and working in a travel agency that creates special, very individualized, and diverse study abroad programs for American students.”

RENATE REPP

“After getting my degree in tourism management and spending some time abroad, I worked for CEPA for 6 months as an intern in Ingersheim. Being able to work with and for CEPA was amazing and I profited a lot from it. The team spirit and motivation is incredible and it was a great experience to see how a well-organized company works. As an intern, I was not the one doing the boring jobs. I got several programs handed over that I organized independently. Nevertheless, I could always count on the support and assistance of my colleagues.

During my internship I enjoyed the variety of tasks the most. As CEPA does not offer standardized travels, each program is different, which made it so much more fascinating for me. I also got the chance to work as an on-site coordinator for a student group in Germany, which was great. It was amazing to meet the students and while enjoying the time with them, I learned a lot about leading a group as well as about their culture.

Besides getting to know how a tour operator works, I improved my language skills and got insights into various parts of program planning from the proposal creation all the way to its realization. Working at CEPA was a great opportunity for me and I can only recommend it to anyone who is interested in the field of tourism and languages.”

SOPHIE SCHOPF

“My 8 months at CEPA was the perfect stepping stone from university into the working world. It felt more like a little family rather than a work place. This really made it easier starting off in a foreign country and also very enjoyable and special having a more intimate atmosphere where you weren’t just a small fish in a big pond. This also allowed me to have a lot of flexibility in terms of the responsibilities I had. I had the pleasure of not only helping out in operations but also in the marketing department, helping with acquisitions etc. Having this exposure in different areas was vital for my development.

Furthermore there is a lunchtime club where we cooked and ate together every day, something again which is very special and unique to CEPA (you then also get to taste lots of different German dishes, yummy!!). And if that doesn’t convince you then the location will, it is an absolute dream, nestled amongst vineyards overlooking the Neckar Valley, you really cannot get a more beautiful place to work (your office is in a castle!).”

GABRIELE CONRADIE

Internship – Study Abroad Coordinator

CEPA Head Office in Ingersheim (near Stuttgart)

References – Read what former interns have to say about their experience at CEPA:

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