Koblenz University of Applied Sciences Faculty of Economic Sciences
B.Sc. Business Administration
Important Information for the Successful Planning of an Internship Abroad
Submitted by:
Name: Valeza Kikolli
Matriculation Number: 534142 V. K.
V. K.
How do I find an internship abroad?
Basically, there are two ways to find a suitable internship abroad: Either you commission an organization or you take care of it yourself.
If you prefer a more convenient and safer way to avoid unpleasant surprises afterward, you better go with a placement organization. Private placement agencies aren't cheap, but they can do a lot for you. They usually take care of placement and accommodation as well as all formalities (e.g. visa). Such private placement agencies often also offer their clients language courses in the target country directly before the start of the internship.
But with some effort and patience you can also organize your internship abroad for many countries yourself. If you rather prefer this way in order to save money, the Internet is a good source for information.
There are many international and country-specific internship exchanges.
You can browse through them and post your own application there. In addition, there are also good information portals and databases on the Internet.
Useful websites are for example:
• DAAD: www.daad.de, www.go-out.de
• IAESTE: www.iaeste de
• IJAB: www.ijab.de
• GIZ: www.giz.de
• ZAV: www.zav.de
Moreover, it is also advisable to make use of personal contacts when looking for an internship abroad. Often you discover connections and opportunities to do an internship abroad.
Useful networks are for example:
• Chairs, professors, assistants
• Friends and family
• Fellow students
• Student associations
• Student councils
How do I finance an internship abroad?
In case you are not paid during your internship, it is essential to look for a suitable financing option to cover all your costs during your internship abroad. It is recommended not rely only on one alternative but to combine several possibilities with each other.
Possible sources of financing are for example:
• Own savings
• "Auslands-BAföG"
• Erasmus+ internships
• DAAD scholarships
• Parental support
• Education loan
What else do I need to keep in mind?
1. Applying for visa
If you decide to do an internship in another European country, you don't have to worry about a visa - a valid passport is sufficient. All other
2. Ensuring accommodation
Make sure you have suitable accommodation on site in good time. An internship abroad with 1000 new impressions, language and cultural experiences will be exhausting enough to save you the stress of finding accommodation when you have just arrived in your host country. Of course, hostels are always a stopgap solution, but not a state of affairs for long. For example, you could look in advance for your own apartment, a rented room or find out whether there are possibilities with a host family.
3. Subletting your apartment
Whether you're doing an internship for just three months or abroad for a whole year, subletting your home in Germany will pay off in the truest sense of the word. You should also check out in Germany if you are going to be away for a particularly long time.
4. Checking medical precautions
Depending on the country you are travelling to, you should take care of vaccinations and possibly undergo a health check. If you need special medication, stock up early with a supply for your time abroad.
5. Acquiring language and specialist knowledge
What language and professional skills are required by your chosen company and can you meet them? What country-specific characteristics should you bear in mind for the application process but also for your subsequent time in the host country? It is advisable to check this out in advance and prepare accordingly.
6. Applying for an account and/or credit card
In case you are lucky enough to get a paid internship abroad, you should consider opening an account in your destination - this will save you transfer and withdrawal fees. You should also take care of a credit card in time. DKB and N24 are credit cards that allow you to withdraw money abroad free of charge.
7. Canceling subscriptions and contracts
Mobile phone contracts, newspaper subscriptions and other contracts cause costs which can be avoided by a cancellation. Do you want to use your mobile phone abroad? Some German providers can make your contract usable abroad with a small surcharge. Within Europe you can use is anyway the same way as you do in Germany thanks to the new roaming law.