Why do an internship abroad?
Every country has its different customs ... This also applies to everyday business life. An internship abroad is a good opportunity to get to know a different business culture and mentality.
Rules of conduct for telephone conversations, business meals or receptions can be read up quickly and easily. However, it is an art to recognize cultural influences on one's own and other people's experience and behavior and to be able to transfer this understanding to new everyday situations.
Intercultural intelligence
Getting to know a foreign country, and - certainly even more important - the "ability" to work with other people from a different culture, is a knockout criterion, especially in internationally oriented companies. And you can hardly prove this important soft skill better than with a completed internship abroad.
Improving foreign language skills
Of course, you should at least be proficient in English and/or already have a good knowledge of the language of the respective internship country. However, staying abroad for several months can significantly consolidate and expand your own foreign language skills.
Competitive advantage over other competitors
More students are studying abroad. Completing an internship abroad can therefore be a decisive competitive advantage over competitors.
Experiences abroad are now taken for granted by many personnel managers. An application that does not include such experiences is often not even considered further for this reason alone.
The internship company as a potential future employer
A good way to get a job after graduation is to use the contacts you made during your internship abroad. If you already make a positive contribution during the internship, you can send an application to the former internship company after you have finished your studies, in which you refer to your experience in the company. This often helps you to clear at least the first hurdle and to be invited to an interview.
Advice
For advice and assistance in organizing your internship abroad, please contact the International Office of Fachhochschule Dortmund as well as the respective internship office in the faculties.
Frequently asked questions about internships abroad
When can I do an internship abroad?
You can do an internship at any time during your studies. In many study programs there are compulsory internships abroad or a time slot is scheduled for them in the curriculum. In addition to these mandatory internships, it is always a good idea to complete a voluntary internship.
How do I organize an internship?
Talk to the internship office at the faculty early on or contact the International Office. You can also find the most important information in our brochure "Ab ins Ausland" (Going off abroad).
How do I find an internship?
You can find internship offers in the major (cross-national) career portals. In addition, you will find all offers that reach Fachhochschule Dortmund in our job market.(Opens in a new tab)
How do I finance an internship?
As a rule, mandatory internships in particular, which are completed at the end of studies, are linked to an internship salary. If you want to do an internship in Europe, ERASMUS+(Opens in a new tab) is a straightforward funding option. For stays outside Europe, there are other funding opportunities(Opens in a new tab) .