BRIDGE - SUMMER PROGRAM
The BRIDGE Summer Community Engagement Internship is a short, intensive summer program that allows you to gain real-life experience, work with local communities, and explore social issues across Europe – while earning valuable skills for your future.
BRIDGE is a 2–4 week summer internship where you work with a community organisation (NGO, school, cultural centre, third place) in a European region.
It is part of the EMERGE Alliance, a network of universities that believe learning should be connected to real social challenges.
This is not a typical internship:
- You don’t just “help” – you learn with the community,
- Your work responds to real local needs,
- Reflection and learning are as important as practice.
Because BRIDGE gives you:
- International experience in a real community setting
- Practical skills you won’t learn in a classroom
- Intercultural competence and teamwork experience
- Insight into social justice, inclusion, and civic engagement
- A strong addition to your CV and future career
And yes – it’s supported by Erasmus+ funding.
Depending on the placement, you may:
- support community projects and local initiatives,
- work with young people, migrants, seniors, or local residents,
- help with education, communication, research, or events,
- co-create solutions together with community partners.
You will never be left alone – you’ll have:
- a community mentor on site,
- an academic mentor from your university.
- 2–4 weeks in summer
- Online preparation before you go
- Reflection after you return
Short, intensive, meaningful.
- Students from EMERGE partner universities
- From different study fields (not only social sciences!)
- Motivated to learn, reflect, and engage with communities
- No previous community engagement experience required
- Internships are mainly funded through Erasmus+ mobility
- Funding helps cover travel and living costs
- Your university will guide you through the process
By the end of BRIDGE, you will have:
- hands-on field experience,
- better communication and teamwork skills,
- stronger civic awareness,
- international contacts and friendships,
- a clearer sense of how your studies connect to society.
ECTS recognition depends on your home university.
Each institution has its own rules and procedures for recognising credits from the Bridge Program.
Please contact your International Office or programme coordinator at your university to ask:
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Whether ECTS credits are awarded
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How many credits can you receive
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What requirements must be fulfilled
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Whether the programme needs to be included in your Learning Agreement
BRIDGE is about connecting people, places, and ideas.
If you want a summer experience that matters – this is for you.