HSF Internship Program in Action
Internship Insights: Behind the Scenes with Our Recent Intern
What makes an international internship a unique opportunity for learning and growth? From March 20 to May 16, 2025, the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) office in the Philippines hosted Florian Nolden for an enriching internship, providing hands-on experience in a diverse and dynamic environment.
Florian attended the "On-Ground Voter Education Workshop: Kabataan Para sa Kinabukasan Voters’ Education, Federalism and Political System"
PILG
Throughout his internship period, Nolden worked closely with the Resident Representative, Mr. Alexander Birle, gaining hands-on experience in the daily operations of the office. His responsibilities included drafting and editing reports, preparing detailed meeting minutes, and participating in discussions and events with project partners, German political foundations and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany.
In addition to administrative and editorial tasks, Nolden was involved in various project activities that allowed him to observe ongoing development initiatives and have exchanges with participants. He interacted directly with several project partners, enabling him to acquire practical insights into the collaborative processes that underpin effective development cooperation. These engagements provided a valuable perspective on the challenges and opportunities faced by both local and international actors working in the Philippines.
Hannsiklub gathers former Hanns Seidel Foundation scholars at its hybrid General Membership Meeting attended by Mr. Stefan Burkhardt
HSF
During his internship, Nolden had the opportunity to meet Mr. Stefan Burkhardt, Head of the South and Southeast Asia Division at the HSF’s Institute for International Cooperation. Through his involvement in various project activities, he also connected with representatives from the Foundation’s partners across multiple fields, including the security sector, academia, and media. Additionally, Nolden participated in a meeting of the HannsiKlub — a group of former HSF scholars — where he presented a video titled “The Rise of Extreme Parties During the German 2025 Election.” This presentation was delivered at the Hannsiklub’s second quarter General Membership Meeting following the conclusion of his internship.
Florian Nolden is currently studying History with a minor in Geography at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and expects to graduate in 2026. In the Winter Semester 2023/24, he attended an undergraduate seminar on the “Global History of Modern Terrorism,” where he stood out with insightful contributions and strong academic skills. With a passion for international affairs and intercultural understanding, Nolden is eager to gain practical experience and broaden his horizons through international internships and diverse complementary programs.
He had expressed particular interest in undertaking an internship abroad in the Philippines, motivated by his travels in Southeast Asia—especially Vietnam—which deepened his appreciation for the region and inspired him to engage in meaningful work related to political education and international cooperation.
During his internship, Nolden acknowledged that he not only enhanced his professional skill set but also gained a broader understanding of the operations of a development cooperation organisation within a complex socio-political context. He developed a deeper appreciation of the strategies used to promote democratic governance, civil society development, and sustainable progress in the region. Overall, the experience proved to be an enriching opportunity for both professional growth and cross-cultural learning.
The HSF’s Philippine office currently accommodates a maximum of two interns each year, at separate intervals. Applications may be addressed to the Resident Representative at philippinen(at)hss.de.
"Overall, my stay in the Philippines was an extremely instructive and personally enriching period that will certainly remain a positive memory for a long time. My internship at the Hanns Seidel Foundation was a valuable experience in many respects—both professionally and personally."
Explanatory note: Original quote in German; translated into English for this article.