Doing an internship abroad

An internship abroad sounds appealing to many people. Working in a different culture, meeting new people and being on your own, but quite a few practical questions come up. How do I arrange an internship, what do I need to prepare and what about the finances?

What an international internship can offer you

An internship abroad isn't just about work experience. You need to learn to function in a completely different environment, master different communication styles and take initiative more often.

Besides the challenges, an international internship also brings many benefits, as employers recognize that experience. International internships show that you can deal with change, take responsibility and adapt to unfamiliar situations. These are skills that are valued in virtually every field. Apart from that, it offers a lot personally. Beyond the professional advantages, you also get to know yourself better. After the internship, you might look at situations through different eyes.

Routes to an internship abroad

Finding an internship can be difficult, especially abroad. Educational institutions often have an International Office with contacts and platforms. Additionally, international internship websites and LinkedIn are valuable sources.

You can also send companies an email yourself. Unsolicited applications often work better than expected abroad. Companies are used to international interns and appreciate it when someone makes targeted and professional contact. It's important that you have a clear motivation and clear learning objectives. Finding an internship placement yourself requires more effort, but also offers more choices. You decide the country, organization and type of work yourself. Just keep in mind, this takes much more time and might also create more stress.

And finally, there are also placement organizations that help with finding an internship position. They also help with arranging practical matters like accommodation and administration. You do pay for this though. 

What about the finances?

Money plays a big role in an international internship. Fortunately, there are several ways to keep costs limited. Within Europe, you're often entitled to an Erasmus+ grant. This monthly contribution varies per country and is meant to cover part of the extra costs. Additionally, your Dutch study financing often continues during your internship.

Tip: Your student travel product can be converted into a monthly budget during your internship!

Rules, visas and insurance

Within the European Union you usually don't need a visa, but that doesn't mean everything is automatically arranged. Often you need to be able to prove that you're doing an internship through an official contract or learning agreement. It's also regularly mandatory to register with a local municipality and take out appropriate insurance.

Outside Europe, visa procedures are almost always necessary and can take several months, so it's useful to do this well in advance.

Growing abroad

An internship abroad requires commitment, preparation and perseverance, but it also has tremendous advantages. See it as a period in which you work on skills that go beyond your job or studies. Are you still exploring your options? Start small. Read up on it, talk to people who already have experience with an international internship and take the first step. Where will we find you in the workplace soon: Rome or Paris?