At the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen we value and appreciate the input and ideas students can provide at a workplace. At the same time we also acknowledge the need for students to obtain firsthand experience with the labor market before completing their studies. We also place great value on international and intercultural experience. For those reasons U.S. Embassy Copenhagen offers a variety of internships.
Internships for U.S. Citizens
U.S. Citizens who have been accepted for enrollment, or are enrolled as a degree-seeking student in an accredited college or university can apply for internships. An internship at the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen will give an American student excellent insights into the workings of a U.S. mission as well as a great intercultural experience. For information on eligibility criteria and on how to apply please go to http://careers.state.gov.
Non-U.S. Citizens Studying in Denmark, The Faroe Islands, and Greenland
Students who live and study in Denmark, the Faroe Islands, or Greenland and who are not U.S. citizens can apply for internships at the Embassy or at the Consulate in Nuuk. An internship gives students who live in the Kingdom of Denmark an opportunity to experience life in a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Interns gain experience with U.S. foreign policy and diplomacy and will work in an international environment alongside U.S. diplomats. Interns apply directly to the Embassy in Copenhagen when vacancies are announced.
This program, officially called The Foreign National Student Intern Program (FNSIP), is designed for students who are non-U.S. citizens seeking internships with the U.S. State Department at U.S. Missions outside the United States. The program benefits both posts and students by providing the non-U.S. students with valuable educational experience in U.S. Missions and by assisting posts in accomplishing their mission goals. The purpose of the Program is to offer students the challenge of working in a foreign affairs arena and at the same time profit by their assistance. There are no benefits attached to this internship, the intern is not an employee of the Embassy, Department of State or the United States government. The internship is uncompensated / unpaid. Internships are available in Copenhagen and Nuuk.
Who Can Apply
The program is open to students, who are not U.S. citizens, at least 18 years of age, who have graduated from high school or equivalent secondary school, are enrolled in a trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, university or comparable recognized educational institution in the Kingdom of Denmark. The students must have the required residence and work permits for Denmark. Students with U.S. dual citizenship are not eligible for this program but should apply for the U.S. citizen program.
Additional Requirements
In addition to these requirements, the sections that host interns require that students have completed at least two years of university-level studies and/or are graduate students. Please see individual internship descriptions for details.
The student should continue or start additional studies at a college, university or equivalent following the internship to be eligible. Confirm in your application when you will graduate and from which institution.
The student must have demonstrated potential to accomplish the type of work to be performed. The student must be in good academic standing at his or her current educational institution and provide a certified transcript to verify it and must provide written permission from the educational institution in which the student is enrolled.
Minimum language requirements for all internships: Danish and English level 3 (good working knowledge). The individual positions may require level 4 in one or both languages and/or proficiency in Greenlandic or Faroese. Please check the position announcement for the position you are applying for.
The student must receive a security certification and a medical certification before commencement of the internship.
Internships typically run from February to July/August OR from September to January. Internships are part-time or full-time for four to six months. See Intern categories below for when to apply.
Which sections host interns
Currently, the U.S. in Embassy Copenhagen offers internships are in the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) as well as in the Political Economic, and Environment, Science, Technology and Health Section (Pol-Econ/ESTH).
The Public Diplomacy Section at the U.S. Embassy in the Kingdom of Denmark offers three distinct internship opportunities for skilled and ambitious students enrolled in Danish universities or schools of higher learning. Each of the three internships has a distinct focus, but all three will work together as a unit and assist each other and the Public Diplomacy staff. In addition to the specific job elements outlined below, all interns are expected to take part in drafting cables and memos, assisting with planning and executing events, ad hoc translation tasks, and serving as each other’s back-ups.
The U.S. Consulate in Nuuk offers an internship in the Public Diplomacy Section.
Read more about the different types of internships below.
How to apply
To apply for Foreign National Student Internship please:
- Download the application form (PDF 2.6 MB) and fill it out
- Write a Statement of Interest where you explain why you are applying. Be sure to include which internship you are applying for.
- Send the application form, statement of interest, and all other relevant documents (recommendations, grade transcripts etc.) to CopenhagenHRFNintern@state.gov and indicate in the subject line of the email which internship you are applying for. If you apply for more than one internship, you will need to send individual applications and statements of interest for each internship.
- Application deadline for the autumn semester internships is April 15.
- Application deadline for the spring semester internships is December 8.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Types of internships for non-U.S. Citizens
Pol-Econ/ESTH
The Political, Economic and Environment, Science, Technology, and Health (ESTH) Section advances cooperation between the Kingdom of Denmark and the United States of America. The Embassy offers internships in three specific areas of focus: political, economic, and ESTH.
Responsibilities of interns include researching and reporting on political, economic, and ESTH affairs with the objective of providing insight into developments affecting U.S.-Danish relations. Issues covered include Danish, Faroese, and Greenlandic internal political and economic developments, NATO, peacekeeping and security issues, trade developments, financial regulations, clean technology, renewable energy, climate finance, technology commercialization, scientific research collaboration, and Arctic issues (including climate change, wildlife and health).
Scope
Interns will report directly to the relevant Specialist. Duties can include providing a written and verbal daily update of current affairs along with providing analyses and briefings on select topics, including contributing to background reports on select areas of interest. Successful candidates will also be expected to attend key lectures/presentations, lead special projects, assist with visitors, and actively participate in relevant internal and external meetings. Duties may also include organizational tasks. Interns will also be able to pursue a long-term project to make a lasting contribution in an area in which they have expertise and the Embassy has interest.
Duration and Working Hours
Schedules can be flexible to match the intern’s educational obligations, and the intern will be expected to work approximately 20 hours per week. The internship will begin in February/September and last up to six months with a minimum of four months. The internship is unpaid.
Qualifications
Graduate students with significant interest and/or competencies in economic, environmental, and/or political issues are strongly encouraged to apply.
Regardless of academic focus, highly motivated undergraduate students with strong academic credentials will be considered. Essential skills/abilities include analytical competencies, thinking creatively, demonstrating a willingness to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment, good organizational and interpersonal skills, and maintaining a good sense of humor. The successful candidate must have strong English writing and communication skills. Working level Danish is required.
To Apply
Please indicate if you have a preferred office within the section. Follow the instructions above and indicate in the subject line that you are applying for the POL/ECON/ESTH internship.
Social Media Production, Community Management and Analysis Intern
The Social Media Production, Community Management and Analysis Intern assists with: building and maintaining the Embassy’s digital properties (social media, website content); developing short-term, e.g. daily and weekly, editorial calendar designed to promote Mission priorities with on-line communities; customizing content and online engagement to promote Mission objectives.
Helps create the daily public online discussions in Denmark around U.S. foreign policy, promotes Mission news and information, and facilitates discussion of foreign policy issues and American values. Incorporates strategic content on trending issues.
Identifies, selects and/or creates and edits content for use in online engagement on U.S foreign policy, history, and culture. Assists in designing and producing digital campaigns and initiatives to engage specific audience groups on priority issues and/or to feature ambassadorial and other Mission engagement in studio or at off-site locations.
Helps coordinate with other Embassy sections and agencies on developing digital content about their events, initiatives, and policy priorities on Embassy and Ambassadorial platforms. Uses audience analysis, analytic data, and qualitative analysis to customize content for specific target audience groups, adapting language, syntax, and format to appeal to their interests.
Compiles strategic content packages, matching policy content with visual, graphic, and multi-media elements that reinforces and strengthens impact of policy content in cooperation with the Multimedia Production Intern. Monitors impact of online engagement to identify reception, reach, and sentiment within each community and enters data into analysis tools.
Tracks and reports on audience response to Mission strategic content on all platforms. Monitors trending issues and conversations in online communities to identify the nature of commentary on issues of importance to the Mission.
Continuously monitors the “health” of Mission online properties for level of impact, inappropriate or inadmissible content, non-compliance with regulations/policies, and the presence of online trolls.
Working with the Content Coordination Specialist, tracks audience demographics, interests and information consumption preferences. Actively plans at least six months in advance; to schedule production of multi-media and other digital products required for editorial calendar of policy priorities, as well as multiple products for the projected slate of Mission programs and activities; to conduct audience research; identify expert participants; and identify and/or develop content creation and promotion.
Recommends best practices for visual and multimedia components of Mission external communication. Recommends innovative online engagement initiatives and campaigns.
Education: At least four semesters of university level education in Communications, International Relations, Political Science, English, American Studies or similar is required.
Language Proficiency: Fluent Speaking/Reading/Writing English and Danish are required.
The ideal applicant has:
- Knowledge of and interest in U.S. foreign policy objectives and American interests in Denmark country, especially as they apply to press and media professionals, outlets, and online publications
- Knowledge of marketing techniques, market analysis, and audience analytics in the host country.
- An understanding of U.S. historical, political, economic, social, and cultural forces that shape U.S. foreign policy, as well as U.S. press and media standards, norms, and practices.
- A keen understanding of how to most effectively communicate the U.S. to a Danish audience.
- Excellent interpersonal, and cross-cultural communication skills. The ability to communicate effectively in formal and informal situations on nuances of U.S. policy.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Strong creative skills and an understanding of how online digital properties and communities function.
- Knowledge of the attitudes of target audience groups, and their preferences for specific content, format, and delivery of visual communication.
- Knowledge of trends in regional and international communications patterns and how they affect the host-country communications landscape.
To Apply
Follow the instructions above and indicate in the subject line that you are applying for the Social Media internship in PDS
Multimedia Production and Analysis Intern
The Multimedia Production and Analysis Intern designs, creates, and delivers visual and multimedia elements for Mission engagement with host-country publics, in a variety of formats required for dissemination through online, traditional broadcast, and in-person channels. Visual and multimedia content includes: video and audio products, graphics, infographics, and photos.
Identifies, selects, designs, and customizes compelling visual and/or multimedia material for inclusion in strategic content packages. Helps develop custom-produced digital projects in support of specific public engagement goals with target audiences (for example, video in support of specific policy initiative). Compiles/edits strategic content packages, incorporating policy material and appropriate visual/multimedia elements to support Mission objectives, appeal to priority audience segments, and meet multiple format requirements for dissemination, e.g. closed captions, video orientation, and photo sizes.
Defines, designs, and creates original graphics, infographics, branding, photos, etc., as well as multimedia material to support Mission public engagement with all audience groups, using tools such as Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop. Conducts on-camera interviews with PD contacts in all sectors, ranging from high school students to high-profile celebrities, host-country officials and ministers, and USG-officials, on location or in-house, using digital photo/video equipment and current techniques.
Produces visual and multimedia content using video editing applications, including Final Cut Pro and iMovie; creates closed captioned text files as required; tags and archives all visual and multimedia content as required. Ensures all tags adhere to the Mission’s tagging taxonomy. Monitors and interprets standards for video and image performance.
Uses audience analysis, analytic data, and qualitative analysis to customize film and video content for specific target audience groups, adapting language, syntax, and format to appeal to their interests. Compiles strategic content packages, matching policy content with visual, graphic and multi-media elements that reinforces and strengthens impact of policy content. Monitors impact of online engagement to identify reception, reach, and sentiment within each community.
Education: At least four semesters of university level education in Film- and Media Science, Design, Advertising or similar.
Language Proficiency: Fluent Speaking/Reading/Writing English and Danish are required.
The ideal applicant has:
- Knowledge of and interest in U.S. foreign policy objectives and American interests in Denmark country, especially as they apply to press and media professionals, outlets, and online publications
- Detailed knowledge of audio and video production, graphic design, and other visual content creation.
- Must have detailed knowledge of multiple formats, digital tools and platforms for visual content creation, editing (audio, visual, multimedia and graphic), and distribution through traditional and digital channels.
- An understanding of U.S. historical, political, economic, social, and cultural forces that shape U.S. foreign policy, as well as U.S. press and media standards, norms, and practices.
- Excellent interpersonal, and cross-cultural communication skills.
- The ability to communicate effectively in formal and informal situations on nuances of U.S. policy.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Strong creative skills and an understanding of how online digital properties and communities function.
- Knowledge of the attitudes of target audience groups, and their preferences for specific content, format, and delivery of visual communication.
- Knowledge of trends in regional and international communications patterns and how they affect the host-country communications landscape.
To Apply
Follow the instructions above and indicate in the subject line that you are applying for the Multi Media internship in PDS.
Press and Media Intern
The Press and Media Intern assists in monitoring host-country press and media coverage of issues of importance to the United States. Assists in identifying and advising on strategies for promoting accurate and balanced host-country press and media coverage of U.S. foreign policy and American interests, correcting misinformation and countering disinformation.
Compiles regular summaries of press and media coverage and its impact; assists in preparing regular verbal and written reports to Mission leadership and, as required, to the Department of State (DOS) on Mission media engagement.
Helps compile background information on media outlet(s), prepares briefing materials for Embassy officials, and compiles relevant DOS or other guidance on the topics of discussion, including for potentially difficult questions or issues that may arise during press interviews or other media engagements.
Assists in producing policy-specific information (e.g., press releases, media kits, fact sheets, background papers) in English and local language(s). Collaborates with the Strategic Content Coordination (SCC) team to develop content for the Mission’s digital properties and online dissemination that accurately convey all nuances of complex U.S. policies and are of professional caliber.
Coordinates with the SCC team to repurpose press and media guidance for non-press and media audiences.
Education: At least four semesters of university level education in Journalism, Communications, International Relations, Political Science, Economics, or similar is required.
Language Proficiency: Fluent Speaking/Reading/Writing English and Danish are required.
The ideal applicant has:
- Knowledge of and interest in U.S. foreign policy objectives and American interests in Denmark country, especially as they apply to press and media professionals, outlets, and online publications
- A good understanding of Danish press and media institutions, professional journalism standards and practices, and trends in audience preferences for information consumption.
- Knowledge of marketing techniques, market analysis, and audience analytics in the host country.
- An understanding of U.S. historical, political, economic, social, and cultural forces that shape U.S. foreign policy, as well as U.S. press and media standards, norms, and practices.
- Excellent interpersonal, and cross-cultural communication skills.
- The ability to communicate effectively in formal and informal situations on nuances of U.S. policy.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
To Apply
Follow the instructions above and indicate in the subject line that you are applying for the Press and Media internship in PDS
Internships at the U.S. Consulate in Nuuk
The U.S. Consulate in Nuuk, Greenland, reopened in June 2020.
As a small consulate, we offer internships to students interested in learning about our efforts in Greenland. Responsibilities could include:
- Research political and economic developments with the objective of strengthening U.S.-Greenlandic relations;
- Write material and produce videos (in English, Danish, and Greenlandic) for the Consulate’s Facebook and Instagram accounts;
- Create platforms to communicate U.S. foreign policy priorities to Greenlandic audiences; and
- Plan and manage projects and local events.
Scope
The intern would report directly to the Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate. Successful candidates can expect to attend key lectures/presentations, lead special projects, assist with visitors, and actively participate in relevant internal and external meetings. Interns will also be able to pursue a long-term project to make a lasting contribution in an area in which they have academic expertise.
Duration and Working Hours
The schedule will be flexible to match the intern’s educational obligations, and the intern will be expected to work approximately 40 hours per week. The internship will begin in February 2021 and last up to six months with a minimum of four months. The internship is unpaid, but students eligible to receive SU during their studies will continue to do so.
Qualifications
Interns should be enrolled in either a bachelor’s or graduate-level program at a university. A successful candidate must have strong English writing and communication skills. Working-level Danish and Greenlandic is also required. Experience with web editing as well as video and photo editing (Photoshop and Final Cut) is an advantage. Creative minds are welcome!
To Apply
Follow the instructions above and indicate in the subject line that you are applying for the U.S. Consulate Nuuk internship.
Department of Commerce Internships in the Foreign Commercial Service
See http://export.gov/denmark/internships/index.asp for information regarding internships for U.S. Citizens and non U.S. citizens.