Starting an Internship in Times of War – A Report from a Recently Arrived German Intern in Givat Haviva

Starting an Internship in Times of War – A Report from a Recently Arrived German Intern in Givat Haviva

When I arrived at Givat Haviva on Sunday, 1 March, it was not my first time on the campus. Yet the circumstances could hardly have been more different. I first came into contact with Givat Haviva in 2018 during a seminar I attended as part of a year-long voluntary service in Israel. At that time, despite the strong everyday presence of the military, I experienced Israel as a fundamentally safe place and never felt directly threatened.

Unsurprisingly, little of that sense of security has remained since Saturday morning. I experienced the outbreak of war in Ramat Gan, a city in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, where I had been staying with a friend. At around 8 a.m., we were woken by sirens and, still half asleep and in our pajamas, hurried three floors down to the building’s bunker. Given the political and military tensions that had been escalating in recent weeks, the outbreak of hostilities did not come as a complete surprise. Even so, it took me some time to fully realize that I was now in a country at war.

I stayed in Ramat Gan until Sunday afternoon. During this time, descending from the second floor to the bunker became an almost automatic routine: the sirens sounded around twenty times, including several alerts during the night. From outside, we could hear the air defense system, its noise resembling distant, muffled drumbeats. Despite the frightening circumstances, there was no sense of panic in the bunker. The residents of the building had already endured the 12-day war with Iran in June and were familiar with such situations. Neighbors exchanged a few words; at times, there was even some laughter. Being surrounded by people who responded with composure rather than fear was reassuring. Nevertheless, it was clear to me that I wanted to leave the Tel Aviv region – the center of the Iranian attacks – sooner rather than later and get to Givat Haviva. I left Ramat Gan at around 3 p.m. and, after an hour's drive that was fortunately not interrupted by any air raid sirens, arrived safely in Givat Haviva.

Reaching Givat Haviva brought a profound sense of relief. Already during my first visit a good seven years ago, Givat Haviva had left a very positive impression on me, with its green lawns and friendly staff. This impression has deepened even more during my current stay. I arrived in the evening hours, and instead of sirens, I was greeted by the chirping of birds. I did receive a notification on my mobile phone on Sunday evening advising me to remain close to a shelter, but the constant rush to the bunker was over. Moreover, the protective facilities here felt significantly more secure than those in Ramat Gan.

The warm reception from the staff further strengthened this feeling. As the Department of International Relations and Development – where I was supposed to begin my internship – had been closed because of the war, I was welcomed instead by Suleiman, a supervisor at the international school. He immediately made me feel at ease, showed me around the campus, and explained the current “crisis mode” in place. Over the past few days, I was able to gain an increasingly better overview of the situation on campus, which I would like to briefly report on.

Because of the war, almost all facilities at Givat Haviva are currently closed. The main exception is the international high school. Although in-person classes have been suspended, most international students, along with some of their Jewish and Arab classmates, have remained on campus. Several supervisors and a number of young Israelis completing their pre-army service year are also present and take care of them.

The students are coping with remarkable resilience. Those in their second year, who experienced the 12-day conflict with Iran in June 2025, are particularly accustomed to rocket alerts and sirens. Even so, the situation remains frightening, as one of the international students confided to me. Even though sirens have rarely been heard since Saturday, the situation is threatening for the young people, some of whom are only 16 years old. Understandably, their parents abroad are also very worried.

At night, students and supervisors sleep together in the bunker, where mattresses have been laid out. During the first few days, the students had free time; since Wednesday, a limited number of online classes have resumed. In addition, the supervisors and I have organized group activities and games to provide distraction and a sense of normality. At times, the atmosphere resembles that of an unexpected school trip. Yet beneath the surface, tension remains palpable. As I write these lines, I can hear a dull rumble in the distance – a reminder that missiles are being intercepted or have struck somewhere not far away.

Like many others on campus, I would not describe myself as overwhelmed by fear. Rather, I feel a deep sense of uncertainty and concern about what the coming days and weeks may bring. Statements from Iranian, Israeli, and American leaders offer little clarity as to how long this war – and the state of emergency in Israel – will continue. Personally, I am reflecting on how best to fulfil my role as an intern, especially at a time when most of Givat Haviva’s regular activities are on hold. For now, however, there are no practical possibilities for leaving the country, and so I will remain here – in a place that, because of its location and protective infrastructure, seems comparatively safe. As long as circumstances remain unchanged, I will try to contribute wherever I can and to support the remaining life on campus. Despite the gravity of the situation, I am grateful to be in an environment where I feel protected and supported – surrounded by people whose kindness and solidarity are tangible even in these difficult times.