Internships can be carried out partly or entirely abroad. As a rule, the student finds the internship placement themselves. Placements are brokered, for example, by EDUFI, employment offices and various organisations.
The timing and duration of an internship exchange are specific to the degree programme. It is advisable to start planning the internship at the beginning of your studies and to discuss it with your teacher tutor.
There is no specific application period for internships. The student can decide when to schedule the internship so that it best fits the personal study plan. Keep in mind, however, that internships offered by partner universities must be applied for during the student exchange application period. You can ask the international specialist which partner institutions you can go to for internships.
When the internship takes place in an Erasmus+ country, Erasmus+ funding is also available. You can see the grant amounts and instructions for the grant application here.
Pathway student: Unfortunately an internship exchange is not possible during path studies. However, you can familiarise yourself with the topic, for example by reading guidelines and students’ feedback on internships abroad and by exploring job search websites and work opportunities abroad. When you continue your studies as a degree student you can apply for student exchange and/or go abroad to do an internship.
Students in commissioned degree-awarding education generally cannot participate in international exchanges or internships, because the curriculum is defined to include certain studies.
Internship placements abroad
Placement International – Internships in Hospitality Industry
Searching for an internship placement
- There is no set schedule for internships; you can apply for an international internship according to the timing in your PSP (HOPS). Contact your teacher tutor or your degree programme’s internship coordinator. Discuss the timing of the internship — when it is best for your studies to be on internship (spring/summer/autumn, etc.) — and which internship(s) you will carry out abroad.
- Update your CV in English or the language of the destination country. A letter of recommendation (e.g. from your teacher tutor) can help in obtaining an internship placement.
- Search for potential organisations where you would like to do an internship. Internship placements reported to Laurea are published in Tuudo. You can browse placements where Laurea students have been previously in the SoleMOVE system under the “Exchange destinations abroad and feedback” menu. By refining the search and selecting Traineeship as the type of exchange, you will get internship feedback results.
- Check the country’s travel advisory on the Ministry for Foreign Affairs website. Laurea does not send students to risk areas. If you are unsure about the safety of the destination, please contact the international services before selecting the internship placement.
- Before your period abroad, it is good to familiarise yourself with Laurea’s language studies to improve your language skills in the language of the destination country, even if the working language is English.
- Note that internship credits completed abroad must be able to be accredited to the internship components of your degree. To be eligible for a grant, the internship must take place abroad at an organisation or office located abroad — remote work from Finland or to Finland does not qualify for a grant.