The internship at the German Social Insurance in Brussels gave me an exciting insight into current health and social policy issues at the European policy level. I really enjoyed working on a wide range of topics and projects as part of the DSV team and experiencing the interaction between my colleagues in Brussels and the various actors in the European policy arena. Using and deepening my knowledge of English and French, as well as the cultural offerings of the city of Brussels, were a great bonus.

As part of my administrative internship, I spent 6 weeks at the DSV. Despite this rather short period of time, I was able to gain deep and fascinating insights into various health and social policy issues at the European level. I particularly appreciate the cooperation and support in my work for the DSV. I also continue to value the opportunity to improve my knowledge of English and French. I am grateful to be able to take the experience I have gained with me into my professional future.

As part of the "Talent Management Pilot", I was able to work as an intern at the DSV European Representation in Brussels from September to November 2023. As head of a social court office in the DRV Bund, I was able to gain a lot of European experience in my job. What a valuable experience, what an exciting and varied time.

I was warmly welcomed by the DSV team and involved in ongoing processes. During this time, I was able to acquire knowledge of European legislation, observe and evaluate the relevant developments in European health and social policy and take part in committee and panel meetings of the European Social Insurance Platform (ESIP) focussing on pensions and rehabilitation.

In addition to other diverse tasks, I also had the opportunity to hold interesting discussions with representatives from various European sectors/institutions and to expand my network.

All in all, I can look back on a very valuable and wonderful time in which I felt very much at home in the DSV team, was able to expand my knowledge and also got to know a beautiful city. Thank you for this great experience, dear DSV team.

After more than 30 years as a policy advisor, I wanted to get out of my 'comfort zone'. On the one hand, I wanted to get a taste of the experience of a so-called European migrant worker (different country, different languages, different circumstances, 'away from home'), and on the other hand, I wanted to see what the DSV was up to in Brussels. Looking back, both experiences were right and important for me. I was able to familiarise myself quickly with the DSV team because it wasn't made difficult for me. My view of the 'Brussels apparatus' was sharpened, as I had previously only focused on the EU Commission, whereas at the DSV I learnt that the Council and the European Parliament are very important players and that the trialogue is a tough business.  At DSV, I had the opportunity to familiarise myself with new topics: You have to prepare information in such a way that readers can access the topic and understand what it is about. I can use this lesson at the German Federal Pension Insurance, because here too it is important to formulate complicated things in a way that others can understand. Looking back, I would do it again any time: My time in Brussels and at the DSV was a gain for me.

I spent a total of eight months at DSV Europa in Brussels on behalf of the German Federal Pension Insurance. I was particularly enthusiastic about the variety of topics and the different players in the social and health care system that have to be taken into account in the joint work of different social insurance institutions. I was already familiar with this from my previous work in national associations, which were also active across organisations, but essentially 'only' at federal level. This perspective has now been significantly broadened for me with a view to the European Member States.