With Buddy through the hybrid internship

Even if the two words "buddy" and "hybrid" are rarely used in combination in everyday life, both together describe my internship at the Institute for Parliamentary Research (IParl) aptly. In addition to the warm welcome from the staff and the exciting tasks, it is mainly thanks to these two elements that my internship time ranks among other precorona experiences with as few compromises as possible.

My idea of an internship at IParl probably correlates with what many people want right now. Everyday office life with coffee breaks and nice conversations, savouring Berlin's opportunities in the best possible way directly after work in the form of numerous restaurant visits or cultural events, or even a cool drink with friends or friends-to-be on the Spree after work. This or something similar is probably how you imagine everyday life as a social intern. For those readers who are nostalgic for days gone by, I can say: it will be fine! At least that's my summary of my two-month internship.

After three weeks of working from home, I finally made my way to Berlin to spend my six upcoming weeks in the Berlin office in compliance with the applicable regulations, of course. However, we decided that I would only swap my desk at home for two days a week with my office on Mauerstraße at Checkpoint Charlie. Everyday office life was of course planned as safely as possible under the circumstances with masks, self-tests and attendance planning.

Even though some experiences were understandably not possible, the time proved to be extremely instructive and interesting. From analysing qualitative survey data and recording podcasts to assisting in lectures, I was able to gain insights into the work of the institute. The intensive use of several communication tools and channels made it possible to gain an insight into the various fields of work at the institute.

It should be clear why hybrid aptly describes my internship. But what is the Buddy all about? This innovative name describes the support provided by a member of staff on a fortnightly basis. Despite contact restrictions, I was still able to be in contact with my buddy several times a week - virtually, of course. This contact also enabled me to have more personal conversations that would otherwise arise in everyday office life from social dynamics or when refilling coffee.

I was just as excited about the external circumstances of the internship as I was about the content of the institute's work before I started my internship. After I became aware of the IParl through an interview programme on television, the website already managed to get me excited about the work and goals.

I can now summarise my internship with similar enthusiasm as I did at the beginning. My work was particularly enriched by the insights into academic processes, where one moment I was dealing with methodological terminology and the next I was discussing civic education projects. My tasks were also organised in this way. In addition to research assignments and working with numbers, I was also allowed to give free rein to my creative energy. The staff were always open to my wishes and suggestions.

This is one of the reasons why my time at the institute can be summarised as an instructive, great and horizon-expanding experience.

Svenja Samstag is a student of political science at Philipps University Marburg.