First considerations

An internship abroad can be beneficial both during your studies and after you have graduated. What matters is…

• whether and when the internship can be integrated well into your studies,
• whether you want to do a compulsory internship abroad,
• and which professional qualifications you would like to acquire.

For many internships abroad and programmes, you will need to have a good command of the local language, and sometimes you will also need to submit proof of your language skills when applying. In large, internationally operating companies, the working language may be English, but even here you should have a basic understanding of the local language in order to cope well with everyday life in the host country.

Language courses are offered by the Language Centre of TU Braunschweig. It is advisable to start learning a language in good time in order to be well prepared for your internship abroad. Programmes and placement agencies often offer language courses in the host country before the internship begins.

An internship abroad usually means an additional financial burden. There are costs for travelling to and from the country, for accommodation and living, and possibly also for visas and insurance. Funding programmes, Auslands-BAföG (BAföG abroad) and educational loans help to finance your internship abroad. In some countries and industries, paid internships abroad are quite common. With a bit of luck, your stay abroad will not be much more expensive than studying at home.

More information on financing options

In some degree programmes, you can have an internship abroad recognised as a mandatory internship, elective module or key skills. The Internship Office of your faculty will tell you which criteria your internship must fulfil and which mandatory internship can be meaningfully replaced by an internship abroad:

• Then ask your employer about the content of the internship and discuss it with your internship supervisor at TU Braunschweig.
• At the end of the internship, ask your company to give you a certificate confirming completion of the internship. This should also show the scope and any grades you received for the internship.
• After you return, submit your internship certificate and your protocols or research reports to the Internship Office for recognition.