Germany and Kazakhstan deepen ties through education and work exchange programmes
Germany continues to fortify its ties with Kazakhstan via key educational and labour exchange programmes. Two major initiatives, Erasmus and Working Holiday in Germany, offer Kazakh students and young professionals unique opportunities to gain experience abroad. Both schemes help fill skills gaps in Germany while fostering cross-cultural connections.
The Erasmus programme enables Kazakh students to study at an EU university for one or two semesters with full financial support. This includes tuition, accommodation, flights, and personal expenses, along with free language courses in the host country. In 2022 alone, around 75,000 participants chose Germany for their Erasmus exchange, backed by a higher education budget of €185 million. Since its launch 37 years ago, the programme has supported over 15 million students globally, with nearly 1 million taking part in 2023.
The Working Holiday in Germany programme provides paid job placements across the country for university and college students aged 18 to 35. Applicants must have strong German and English skills and at least one year left in their studies. Participants can work during summer or winter breaks while exploring the Schengen Area. Germany benefits by temporarily filling low-skilled labour shortages during peak seasons.
Both programmes serve as important channels for human capital exchange, strengthening cooperation between Germany and Kazakhstan. Participants return home with academic and professional experience, broader perspectives, and a deeper understanding of their own culture. Germany has expanded such global youth exchange initiatives over the past decades, with Kazakhstan emerging as one of its most significant partners in education and labour mobility.
Beyond these programmes, Germany runs specialised training schemes in various sectors. For example, DEULA collaborates with agricultural and landscaping organisations on practical youth training. The Deutscher Basketball Bund (DBB) organises youth coaching events like the Minitrainer-Offensive and Bundesjugendlager. Meanwhile, FLVW supports soccer talent development through structured training networks, and Jugendberufsagentur Berlin offers apprenticeship counselling at 12 locations across the city.
These initiatives provide tangible benefits for both countries. Kazakh students and workers gain international experience, while Germany addresses seasonal labour needs and strengthens educational partnerships. The long-term impact includes a more skilled workforce and deeper cultural ties between the two nations.
