Students and Graduates 〉 Preparations for your stay abroad

Preparations for your stay abroad

The tips and advice compiled here were developed together with former Erasmus+ students who received support through Leonardo-Sachsen. While the list is not exhaustive, you will find many valuable suggestions and personal experiences that have already helped numerous students.

Do you have additional tips or would you like to share your own experiences about studying abroad? We would be delighted! Feel free to send us an email—your suggestions are always very welcome.

Planned, Not Unplanned – Early Preparation Is Advisable

If you require language preparation, a visa, and/or a work permit, we recommend starting your preparations at least 12 to 18 months before the beginning of your internship.

If you already have sufficient language skills and do not need a visa or work permit, a preparation period of about 6 months is usually sufficient within the European Erasmus+ program countries. However, please note that if you plan at short notice, Erasmus+ funding may no longer be available—the funds are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

We would also like to point out that you should take country-specific and company-related requirements into account. Whether a last-minute application is possible depends on the regulations of your destination country, the internship institution, and the company.

When is the optimal time for an internship?

Depending on your field of study, certain semesters are recommended for a stay abroad. In many degree programs, a mandatory internship is also integrated into the curriculum. Based on experience, an internship is suitable from the third semester of a bachelor’s program or the third semester of a diploma or state examination program, as you can then specifically apply and demonstrate the knowledge you have acquired.

An internship can be completed during the semester, across semesters, or during the semester break. It is often combined with a semester abroad, either before or after. In principle, an internship is possible throughout your studies or up to 12 months after graduation—depending on how many professional qualifications you wish to acquire and how your course of study is structured.

The optimal period also depends on country-specific circumstances. For example, if you are planning an internship in Scandinavia, you should consider the long dark periods in winter, or for Southern Europe, the hot summer months.

Targeted Search for Your Desired Internship Placement

As a first step, you should decide on one of the following:

  • Destination country
  • Desired industry
  • Preferred company or institution


Afterwards, derive your next steps: Once you have chosen one or more target countries, search specifically for suitable companies or industries. If you are interested in a particular company, check its job portal for international internship opportunities. Alternatively, you can align your search with the specific qualifications you wish to acquire: for example, if you want to deepen your knowledge in renewable energies, Scandinavian countries and companies are a good choice.


Useful sources of information for your search:


Further information on application procedures in individual countries can be found at ➚www.online-bewerbung.org (in German language).

ECTS & Diploma Supplement

The recognition of your internship abroad is not automatic. As a rule, you are required to complete a so-called Learning Agreement or write an internship report. Therefore, make sure to inform yourself early about the specific requirements of your university. Be sure to contact your academic advisor in your department before your stay abroad and clarify which documents you will need to submit upon your return and by what deadline.Even if formal recognition is not possible, an internship abroad is still worthwhile: the skills you acquire will be a significant advantage for future applications and your professional development.

Note: Information on the required final documents can be found here >> Link to final documents accordion

Sometimes it’s unavoidable

Visa and Work Permit
Whether you need a visa or a work permit can be found out from the embassy/consulate of your destination country or on the pages of the ➚Federal Foreign Office. For internships and research stays, tourist visas are usually not sufficient. Visa costs vary depending on the country; you can also find country-specific information on the ➚DAAD country information pages.

Within Europe
As an EU citizen, you can enter and work in the European Economic Area without a visa (freedom of movement for workers). Non-EU citizens usually require a visa and a work permit – make sure to arrange this early.

Outside Europe
For countries outside Europe, obtaining a visa is often a central part of preparation. Expect longer processing times, sometimes several months for the USA. Be sure to find out about the entry requirements for your destination country well in advance.

Passport
Check the validity of your passport well ahead of time – it usually needs to be valid for at least six months after your return. If needed, apply for a new passport early enough. Make a copy to get help more quickly in case of loss.

Carefree Abroad

Insurance Coverage Abroad
Find out about your international insurance coverage from your health insurance provider as early as possible! For Erasmus+ stays, sufficient insurance coverage is mandatory.

Important Notes:

  • Your domestic insurance coverage does not automatically apply abroad. Regulations vary depending on the country and situation.
  • For Erasmus+ internships, you are personally responsible for your insurance coverage during the entire stay (including arrival and departure).
  • Clarify your insurance situation completely before departure.
  • The ➚DAAD insurance package for interns, graduates, and researchers (as well as their family members) is recommended.

 

Recommended Insurances:

  • Accident Insurance Abroad: At the workplace, accident protection is often provided by the internship institution in many EU countries. Ask directly at your place of internship. For accidents during leisure time, a private accident insurance with international coverage is recommended.
  • Health Insurance Abroad: Many health insurance providers only offer international coverage for short vacation trips. For longer internships, this is often not sufficient. Public health insurance usually only covers costs that would also be incurred in Germany – you must pay any additional costs yourself. Some insurers exclude internships abroad from their coverage. Therefore, seek advice and take out supplementary insurance if necessary. Private health insurance policies generally do not have Europe-wide agreements. Chronic or acute illnesses are often not covered and may need to be insured separately.
  • Personal Liability Insurance Abroad: Take out private liability insurance for the entire duration of the internship (including arrival and departure). Here as well, the ➚DAAD insurance package can be used. The regulations are similar to those for accident insurance.
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Better Not to Rent a Pig in a Poke!

Be cautious: Never transfer money (deposit or rent) to a foreign account for an apartment you or someone you trust have not personally viewed. This is a common scam tactic—advance payments for unseen apartments are a frequent method used by fraudsters.


Start your search early: Looking for accommodation can be time-consuming. Begin your search as early as possible, especially in popular regions and for longer internships.

Location & Transport Connections: Pay attention to access to public transportation—the daily commute can, for example in London, take up to two hours each way. This helps you plan better whether you want to use the bus, train, bicycle, or a car.

Use temporary solutions: At the beginning of your stay, it can make sense to live temporarily in a hostel, via couchsurfing, or AirBnB, and then look for permanent accommodation once you are there.

Seek help: Internship organizations often offer their own accommodation, connect you with former interns, or provide tips through mentors. Friends, relatives, or university websites in the host country are also helpful sources—there are often dormitories for international students and interns.

Useful websites for your search:

➚www.roomlala.de

➚https://erasmusu.com/de

➚Just Landed

➚Housing Anywhere

➚Couchsurfing

➚WG-gesucht


Important: Stay alert with all offers and never pay in advance for apartments you haven’t seen.

Former Interns Share Their Experiences

Let yourself be inspired by the experiences of other interns and find out how to plan your trip to Vietnam, what everyday work looks like in a Belgian company, what adventures await you in France, how you can spend your free time in Japan, or dive into the exciting world of New Zealand. Read personal reports, exchange ideas in forums, and gain many useful insider tips.


Worldwide:

➚Erasmus+ Reporters

➚Experience Blog Uni Bremen “Praxisschock”

➚Experience Reports HS Sachsen-Anhalt

➚Experience Reports and Institutions LMU

➚Weltweiser.de


Europe:

➚Experience Reports TU Ilmenau

Proof of Your Skills & Activities

An internship certificate is very valuable for future job applications, as it documents the scope and quality of your work. Therefore, try to arrange for a certificate to be issued in your contract, if possible.

Please note that internship certificates vary from country to country and may serve different purposes than in Germany. In Austria, you will receive a “Dienstzeugnis” (service certificate); in France, work certificates do not include an assessment of behavior or performance; and in Spain, the “certificado de trabajo” merely confirms participation in the internship—in this case, an additional letter of recommendation can be helpful. In some countries, a written evaluation is not common; often, you can instead list your supervisor as a reference. For this reason, it is important to research the customs of your host country and institution early on.

Key contents and formal requirements for your certificate:

  • Description of your activities
  • Place, date, and signature of your supervisor/mentor
  • Issued on official letterhead
  • Issued on your last day or afterwards

 

If possible, your certificate should not only list your tasks but also include a qualitative assessment—ideally as a “qualified” internship certificate.

 

How to Manage Your Finances During Your Stay

There are various ways to fund a stay abroad:Remuneration from the host institution:
According to DAAD statistics, about two-thirds of all internships are paid. Often, you may also receive additional allowances for meals, transportation tickets, or accommodation—many companies offer both financial compensation and benefits in kind. If no information about payment is provided, don’t hesitate to ask—payment is often only offered upon request. By the way: Even if you receive remuneration, you can still apply for Erasmus+ scholarships; this is not counted against you.

 

Auslands-BAföG (Federal Student Financial Aid for Studying Abroad):
Even if you do not receive BAföG in Germany, you may still be eligible to apply for Auslands-BAföG for your internship under certain conditions. More information can be found ➚here (German language).

 

Other scholarships and funding opportunities:
If you are no longer eligible for Erasmus+ (e.g., because you have already used up your funding period), it is worth taking a look at the following scholarship databases and programs:

 

➚DAAD Scholarship Database

➚plus Stipendium

➚My Stipendium

➚Association of German Foundations

Successful Communication

Are your English skills sufficient everywhere?
English is often helpful, but it is not enough in every country. Consider what level of proficiency in the local language is required and how communication will work at your new workplace.

Local language: Recommended and often a requirement
Language skills are the key to a country’s culture—especially to its people. Taking a basic course in the local language is always worthwhile, regardless of your internship or research institution’s requirements. Often, a language level between A2 and C1 (according to the Common European Framework of Reference) is expected. A language certificate (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS) is rarely mandatory, but plan ahead in case it is required. You can find more information about language tests on the ➚DAAD pages about language tests and certificates.

Differences between working language and local language
The working language may differ from the local language: In Scandinavia, the Netherlands, or Eastern Europe, English skills are usually sufficient. In South America, however, knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese is often required.

Ways to learn or refresh your language skills:

  • Language courses at your university
  • Courses at the adult education center (VHS)
  • Language tandems, e.g., via ➚faranto e.V. or student initiatives

Is an Englishman in New York a Stranger Among Strangers?

How close is “far” – and how far is “just around the corner”?
50 kilometers is a stone’s throw in Germany. In Georgia, it can turn into hours of adventurous travel on gravel roads. “Just around the corner” takes on a whole new meaning—your back will confirm it.

Shake hands or better to bow?
Do you shake hands with everyone when greeting people in China? That would be nice—but often a polite nod is perfectly sufficient. And in Japan, an overly firm handshake can already be seen as a minor cultural revolution. So: Observe first, then greet!

Homesick for mom’s roast?
Anyone going abroad should be prepared for withdrawal symptoms. The beloved bread? In Siberia, it might be a rare commodity—but you’ll get cold showers for free (at least during the annual two-week maintenance). Your favorite chocolate? In China, it’s a real luxury item. But don’t worry: Soon you’ll be eating with chopsticks or toasting with vodka.

What do we learn from this?
You should not only know how to behave in your destination country, but also how long it takes to get from A to B—and how cold a shower can get. Even Austria or Poland hold surprises you’d never expect in Germany. The following subpages will give you a taste of what cultural differences you can look forward to.

How well do you know your own culture?
You know how things are done—but do you know why? If you have to explain why Germans are punctual and efficient (and still say “please” and “thank you”), you might start to ponder. From the outside, some habits suddenly seem strange—and that’s a good thing! Take the opportunity to question your own patterns of behavior. You’ll be surprised what others perceive as “typically German.”

Clichés and history
Confront clichés—and also the uncomfortable chapters of German history. In some countries, Germany’s image is still strongly shaped by the past.

Host gifts: Small Gestures, Big Impact
Bring postcards, photos, or typical local treats—your new colleagues or host parents will appreciate it. This not only shows interest, but also brings a piece of home with you abroad.

Tip: For detailed country information, it’s worth having a look at the ➚country information pages of the DAAD and the ➚Federal Foreign Office.

Contact:

Team Erasmus+ Europa 
Email: auslandspraktikum@tu-dresden.de

Team Erasmus+ international
Email: placement.leosachsen@tu-dresden.de

Feel free to connect with us online via ➚LinkedIn.