International Exchange Host Opportunity

Naomh Breandan Credit Union is delighted to be participating in an international internship programme in 2026, which will see us welcome a young student from Germany to Loughrea for a four-week placement. This initiative offers the intern a valuable opportunity to gain first-hand experience of working in a community-based financial institution, while also learning about the credit union movement and experience Loughrea & Galway.

The programme, supported by the Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach Foundation and organised by the Essen Economic Development Corporation (EWG), has been running successfully since 1998. Each year, selected pupils aged 15–17 from schools in Essen take part in “On the Job Training in Foreign Companies,” with 35 scholarships awarded in 2025 alone.

As well as benefiting the student, the programme brings fresh perspectives and new ideas into the workplace. We are now planning the placement and will be seeking support from the local community in providing a temporary host family, helping to make this experience a positive and memorable one for both the student and host family.

Why should you become a host?

• An international experience in your own home: Give a 15 to 17-year-old intern from Germany the opportunity to experience Irish culture and way of life at first hand.
  
  
• Personal enrichment: The cultural exchange not only strengthens the young people's social skills, but also enriches your own life and that of your family. Perhaps you have children of the same age who would like to learn about life in Germany.
  
  
• Strengthening the community: With your support you promote international co-operation and create a close cultural and professional exchange between Germany and Ireland. This would be another building block to strengthening European co-operation.

Your task as host:

• Accommodation and meals: You offer the intern a home for four weeks with all-day catering, including weekends and public holidays.

• Cultural Exchange: Enable a young person to immerse themselves in the Irish way of life while improving their English language skills.

There is no duty of supervision towards underage internship participants during their free time.

The internship participants are fully covered by health, accident and liability insurance.

Details of the internship:

• Period: 23 March to 17 April 2026
• Financial support: You will receive an amount of € 1,600 per trainee for expenses

Be part of an unforgettable experience and help to promote close co-operation in Europe!
Contact us in Naomh Breandan Credit Union for more information:

Phone: 091 841 773
Email: info@naomhbreandancu.ie

If you are interested in signing up to become a host family, please contact:

Mrs. Annick Thomsen, Economic Development Agency of the city of Essen Project-Coordinator for the Alfried Krupp-Scholarship

Mail: annick.thomsen@ewg.de
Phone: +49 201-820 24 37

See more: Internship Flyer