Shaping diversity: Dima’s internship experiences in Saxony-Anhalt

Bridging cultures and languages at AGSA

Languages bring people together – and that is precisely what drives Dima Tarabaih. A translation student at the German Jordanian University, she spent her ‘German Year’ at Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences in 2025. Dima is passionately committed to intercultural communication and diversity. She is undertaking her internship at the Auslandsgesellschaft Sachsen-Anhalt (AGSA), an organisation that has been promoting intercultural dialogue, political education and European cooperation in Saxony-Anhalt for over 30 years.

There, Dima is part of the IKOE project, the ‘Centre for Intercultural Opening and Competence Development Saxony-Anhalt’, which is currently in its fourth funding phase, running until 2026. Funded by the EU’s AMIF Fund and the State of Saxony-Anhalt, the IKOE team works closely with educational institutions and local authorities. In addition to training programmes such as ‘Diversity Monday’, it focuses on providing process support in various regions and continues to develop tools such as the digital map ‘Kompass Sachsen-Anhalt’. The aim is to firmly establish intercultural openness as a cross-cutting priority within the state’s integration work.

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Hello Dima, thank you very much for the interview.

Could you please introduce yourself briefly?

My name is Dima Tarabaih; I’m currently studying translation at the German Jordanian University. I spent a year abroad at Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences, studying language and communication. I have now completed all my coursework and am about to graduate. I’m originally from Palestine, but I’ve also lived in the Gulf States and in Jordan. My passions are languages, linguistics, intercultural communication and projects that bring people and cultures together. I’m particularly interested in topics such as diversity, planning and organising workshops, and educational work.

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Why did you decide to do an internship at the Auslandsgesellschaft?

AGSA’s mission appealed to me straight away. I’ve always been interested in integration and diversity – this internship offered me the chance to combine my interests with my degree. For me, it was the perfect opportunity to learn new things whilst also contributing to something meaningful.

In which area of AGSA are you doing your placement and what are your responsibilities?

I’m part of the IKOE project team, which focuses on intercultural openness and skills development. My responsibilities are very varied: I help organise and coordinate workshops, networking meetings and other events. I also assist with documentation, research and translations for various projects.

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What projects have you been involved in so far?

I’ve had the opportunity to take part in several exciting projects. These include workshops such as the creativity workshop, the EU workshop and the networking event in Dessau. I’ve also helped organise Eurocamp, which focuses on international youth exchanges. I’m particularly proud of the ‘Diversity Simulation’ simulation game, for which I translated all the materials into English and helped with the preparations for its delivery in Wittenberg. I also carried out research for the ‘Language Mediation in the Burgenlandkreis’ project, examined various language mediation tools and presented my findings to the team.

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How has your work placement been so far? What new things have you learnt, and what has surprised you?

To be honest, it’s been a brilliant experience so far. I’ve learnt a lot about how large-scale intercultural projects work behind the scenes – from planning right through to implementation. I’ve also gained practical skills in event management, research and practical translation. I was particularly surprised by how much responsibility and trust were placed in me. I hadn’t expected to be involved in such important tasks – this has really helped me to develop further and see more clearly where I want to go professionally and academically.

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What are your plans for the future?

I’d like to continue working in the field of intercultural communication and translation, and to be involved in projects that focus on integration and diversity. At the same time, I also have academic goals: I’d like to deepen my knowledge, carry out further research and get involved in academic work in these subject areas.

How do you feel in Magdeburg and at AGSA?

I feel really at home at AGSA – the team is incredibly supportive and warm. Being part of the IKOE project feels like being part of a family. In a short space of time, I’ve learnt more than I could have expected. Magdeburg itself is a quiet, cosy city with plenty to offer. I particularly love the diverse and open-minded community here, which has made it easier for me to settle in – this has allowed me to focus entirely on my work, my studies and also on new experiences.

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What are your plans after the placement, and would you recommend a placement at AGSA?

After the placement, I’d like to finish my degree and, if possible, start a postgraduate course next year. At the same time, I’d like to look for career opportunities in intercultural projects or in the language sector – ideally in Germany or in an international setting.

And yes, I would absolutely recommend an internship at AGSA! You learn an incredible amount here, are entrusted with real tasks rather than just being an observer, and you work in a very supportive environment. At the same time, you help to promote diversity and inclusion – an experience that is enriching in so many ways.

For Dima, the internship at AGSA was far more than just a building block in her degree – it became an experience that opened up new career prospects and gave her personal clarity. With her passion for languages and intercultural encounters, she hopes to continue building bridges between people and cultures in the future. For her, one thing is certain: the Auslandsgesellschaft Sachsen-Anhalt is a place where diversity, education and community come together in a special way.

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www.agsa.de

Original text and interview:

Editorial Team Deine-Welt-Blog | Gabriel Rücker, Project Coordinator