Internship Abroad

An internship abroad offers a wide range of possibilities in terms of the host country, selecting a company or the duration of the stay. In order to approach the planning in a targeted manner, it is advisable to clarify a few basic questions first:

• Which aspects are particularly important to me?
• What goals am I pursuing with this internship?
• To what extent will it support my personal and professional development?
• Am I primarily interested in getting to know the working culture of a particular country?
• Do I want to deepen my specialist knowledge in a particular area?
• Or is my focus on discovering new scientific methods?

Answering these questions precisely will help you to define your own goals and find a suitable internship. It will help to structure the search and make planning more efficient.

Similar to studying abroad, an internship should be prepared well in advance. A preparation period of six months to a year before the start of the internship is recommended. The longer the planning period, the more time there is to carefully select the internship. Obstacles such as applying for a visa, clarifying insurance issues, and finding accommodation can be addressed more thoroughly. In addition, a few months should be allocated to acquiring or refreshing foreign language skills.

If you are planning to live and work abroad for a longer period of time, you should acknowledge the special features of your own and other cultures. A profound understanding of cultural contexts and intercultural competence are prerequisites for a successful stay abroad. Intercultural skills often make life easier. Every country has its own traditions, values, and everyday routines. Knowing or being aware of these can spare you from many a faux pas or misunderstandings.

An initial job search can be conducted using the numerous job portals. The country-specific chambers of industry and commerce (e.g. lists of companies in various sectors) or subject-specific or country-specific internship ponrtals can also provide you with helpful information and addresses. Placement organizations usually organize internships for a fee.

Alternatively, you can search for attractive internship employers abroad on your own. Beforehand, you should think carefully about where and when you would like to complete an internship. Narrowing down your search geographically and by subject will make it much easier to find institutions where you can complete an internship abroad.

Please find more information on the  DAAD website.

Please note that the International Office does not offer internships to students.

Different countries, different customs – this also applies to applications abroad. Create a CV and a letter of motivation in the language of the host country or in English. Please check the application deadlines and procedures in advance.

To save time, clarify in advance by e-mail or telephone whether internships are currently available and ask for a contact person to whom you can address your application. In some countries, it is considered “good manners” to contact the company by telephone in advance.

Do not send "standard letters", but explain your motivation for applying to the company in question in your cover letter.