A bit late but... opportunities within the EU

Heading to Brussels with a degree in Middle Eastern Studies? It might seem strange, but in fact there are some opportunities in the European Union institutions for those who specialized in area studies such as the MENA region, Central Asia, or even South-East Asia and the Pacific. Why? Because the EU has a foreign policy and it’s particularly active in the Mediterranean region – the Southern Neighbourhood – and for this reason your curriculum can appear interesting to the Eurocrats.

European Commission Traineeships

Who: graduates who have completed at least the first cycle of a course of university studies. Very good knowledge of English or French or German and a second EU language.

When: March/July 2012.

Where: European Commission Directorates, Executive Agencies and Offices (Brussels, Belgium, and Luxembourg), Representations in Members States and Delegations in non-Member States.

Deadline: 1 September 2011 (12:00 CEST)

Pay: 1000 € per month plus travel allowance.

Several DGs of the EU Commission deal with the Middle East and the Southern Neighbourhood: the European External Action Service (in short form EEAS, but is also called Foreign Policy Instruments Service on the application form), EuropeAid Development & Cooperation (DEVCO), Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), Trade, Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI).

Council of the European Union Traineeships

Who: EU nationals who have completed at least the first cycle of a course of university studies.
When: 1 February to 30 June 2012 or 1 September to 31 January 2013.

Where: General Secretariat of the Council of the EU (Brussels, Belgium)

Deadline: 31/08/2011 at 12:00 CEST
Pay: 1000 € per month plus travel allowance.

The General Secretariat organises the work of the Council of the EU, which, obviously, includes also the foreign affairs of the EU. The External Relations domain is a good but competitive target for graduates in those subjects.

European Parliament Traineeships

Who: graduates who have produced a substantial written paper.

When: March/July 2012

Where: Secretariat of the European Parliament (Brussels, Belgium)

Deadline: 15 October (midnight)

Pay: 1000 € per month plus travel allowance.

Within the Secretariat, the Directorate-General for External Policies organises the work of the Parliament in the field of the external relations.