Diplomacy Meets Economics: My Internship at the German Embassy in Abu Dhabi

Between Representing Germany and Working in the Economic Department

“We are pleased to inform you that the Federal Foreign Office can offer you an internship“. It was when I received this email that I really started to believe it was going to happen: Nothing stood in the way of my internship at the German Embassy, which has always been a dream for me. Let me tell you a little more about this adventure in the United Arab Emirates over the past few months.

My Background and Interest in Working at the Embassy

Since a young age I have traveled to many countries through a (more or less successful) chess career. Thereby, embassies always played a certain role in my life: In the 2000s, for example, the Schengen Agreement had just come into effect with many European countries, but not all of them. For bigger chess-trips it was often the case that at least one person had to go to the embassy because of passport problems or simply because it was forgotten. These problems are much less common today.

Nevertheless, I stayed fascinated by the idea that there is a German institution worldwide that is important for communication with German citizens abroad as well as for maintaining constant contact with the home country. You have to get involved with the culture, learn the language and like to communicate, which reflects some of my interests. As an internship at the embassy is only possible as a ‚mandatory‘ internship, and since the COVID-19 pandemic occurred during my bachelor studies, the master’s program was the only really feasible time for the internship.

The Application Process

I applied for the internship in November 2023 using a platform where I had to enter my data, previous experiences, and motivation to apply to a total of nine embassies or consulates with preferred time slots. Due to my personal connection to France and my semester abroad in Chile at the time of my application, I primarily applied for positions in France and South America, in addition to bigger cities such as Washington D.C., Sydney, and Abu Dhabi. Although I did not have a closer relationship with the latter cities like Abu Dhabi, they are pretty exciting from an economic and political perspective, which is why I also included them in my preference list.

In March 2024, I suddenly received an email from the United Arab Emirates: an internship position had opened up, and I was asked if I would like to start in Abu Dhabi in a few weeks. Despite my initial excitement, I realized that I might not be able to accept the offer: the internship coincided with my final semester, during which I had specific courses from my Entrepreneurship Track that would not be offered again for over a year. However, after several discussions with the HHL, the outcome was positive: HHL wants to support students in their professional development as much as possible, so I (with immense gratitude for the cooperation of my professors!) found a solution for the three remaining courses that would only slightly extend my studies. Therefore, on April 16, I boarded a plane to begin my first of about 90 working days at the embassy just two days later.

My Role at the Embassy

From the very beginning, I had the opportunity to learn about one of the main tasks of the embassy: representation. Whether it was at fairs, during delegation trips, visits or the public screening of the European Soccer Championship, I prepared and followed up on about more than 25 events where I talked to other people and represented Germany. Highlights included the twenty-seventh meeting of the IRENA Council, where more than 100 member states gathered in Abu Dhabi to discuss progress in international renewable energy. There was also a meeting of the European Union to discuss economic cooperation with the United Arab Emirates, as well as future-oriented fairs such as “Make it in the Emirates” and DRIFTX, which showcased the latest products in the field of autonomous vehicles.

Other tasks included contributing to reports and research relevant to German-Emirati relations. This included in-depth coverage of events such as those mentioned above, as well as deep dives in the economic sector. My highlight was preparing a report on the startup and VC landscape in Abu Dhabi on my own, where I met many entrepreneurs and gained a comprehensive understanding of how the structures and processes differ from those in Germany.

The embassy also gave me an insight into what it means to be a diplomat or an ambassador; my incredibly friendly colleagues answered all of my questions and took me to a lot of events. Overall, it was an awesome experience and I felt honored to be able to represent Germany and even talk to other ambassadors and key players on an equal footing – which, fun fact, worked pretty well until people found out about my intern status, at which point discussions stopped rather earlier than later. However, one thing that makes me doubt whether I can imagine becoming a diplomat in the long term is the so-called rotation principle: all diplomats are required to change location after about 3-4 years, and typically spend another 3-4 years in Berlin. As much as I love traveling, I think I would like to settle down somewhere at some point without having to adjust to a new country over and over again.

Life in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi did not really give me time to breathe – literally, with constant temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius and high humidity. Air conditioning is required in every room, which I struggled a lot with and caused me to catch four colds over the 3 months. I also learned more about the local healthcare system (which is surprisingly good!) through two cases of food poisoning. Fortunately, I’ve also had the chance to enjoy some memorable (tourist) experiences:

On the one hand, there was Abu Dhabi. Due to the aforementioned heat, life takes place mainly in the numerous malls, which are very modern and offer a variety of amenities. The Louvre, the fish market and the Grand Mosque are of course a must for tourists, as are the endless deserts. The Arabic experience is rounded up by the five calls to prayer by the muezzin, which are broadcast daily over the external loudspeakers of the mosques and leave one with a sense of humility.

With another intern, I also visited the Emirates Ras al Khaimah and Fujairah, which offer a unique sunset and have the highest mountain in the whole country. Some may know the video of camels being transported over a zipline; that’s where it is!

With two other interns from the German Embassy and two interns from Sweden and Austria, I also traveled to Oman to explore the beautiful “Wadis” (valleys) and “Souqs” (Indian-style markets) and snorkel with turtles in the sea. After the internship, I still had some time to travel to other countries in the Middle East.

Conclusion

The internship at the embassy was an excellent opportunity to get to know the life of a diplomat and to gain a comprehensive insight into the various tasks and challenges associated with this position. The combination of representational activities, intensive research work and direct contact with local actors not only broadened my professional knowledge but also sharpened my intercultural skills in the Middle East region. I was particularly impressed by the dynamism and diversity of the work environment, where no two days are the same and you are constantly challenged to adapt to new situations and people.

Whether I will work in the embassy sector in the future remains uncertain. In addition to the impressions mentioned above, the rotation system is one of the major hurdles I am struggling with. Nevertheless, I am very grateful for the opportunity of the German Embassy in Abu Dhabi as well as the support of HHL, and I encourage anyone interested in international activities to apply for an internship at an embassy.