There are many opportunities to do work placements abroad. It can help you improve your personal and professional skills which will be highly valued by future employers. It’s an opportunity to boost your CV, your confidence and skills (language, communication, inter-cultural skills etc.), meet new friends and live a new adventure abroad.
Here is a guide for young people who want to do work experience abroad.
We also have information on Paid Work Experience in Ireland.
Good to Know! – Start looking early!! Many organisations start their applications for Graduate Programmes/ Internships many months in advance e.g. Application for summer internships often have a application deadline of January.
Erasmus+ Traineeship (work placement/internship)
If you are a student, the Erasmus+ programme offers opportunities to do an internship/ traineeship during or just after your studies. You can also apply for traineeships at EU institutions and international agencies (see below), a great boost in your career and a key entry door to find a job.
- usually between 2 to 12 months
- supported by an Erasmus+ Traineeship grant.
- students currently studying in higher education institutions with an Erasmus programme. Open to recent graduates also.
- Talk to the international office at your college – many have a connection with European companies
- Check out the positions currently being offered by on the Erasmus Student Network Traineeship Search Platform.
- Contact a company you are interested in doing a traineeship at. Many companies have internship programmes which are easily adapted to the Erasmus+ traineeship scheme.
Information adapted from this useful website which provides further information on Erasmus + Traineeship Programme
Another useful information: Traineeships abroad for students
European Institutions
Most EU Institutions offer paid traineeships (known as “stages”) between 3-5 months for university graduates. Undertaking a stage can be an excellent way to gain experience of working life in Brussels and for many, it can act as the launch pad to an EU career. Even if you’re not sure if an EU career is for you, a stage can develop your professional and personal skills, as well as giving you the opportunity to live and work in a vibrant European city.
Trainees, or stagiaires, work in a wide range of fields, with opportunities in law, finance, human resources, environmental policy, communications and many more. The work of a stagiaire can include everything from preparing policy and position papers to coordinating visits. More information about the stages can be found on the DFA Website and on the websites of the institutions.
There are also internships available specifically for Irish speakers interested in working as a linguist in the EU. Organised annually by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, these internships give 10 graduates the opportunity to work on translation and proofreading in Irish. Further details of this scheme, known as Scéim Intéirneachta in Institiúidí an Aontais Eorpaigh, can be found via the Department’s website.
Useful websites
- Eurodesk opportunity finder. Daily updated internship opportunities.
- Jobs and internships in Europe
- Internships and work experience abroad for graduates
- Global Placement
- iAgora (Internships and entry-level jobs)
If you have any questions about studying in paid work experience, you can chat online to a trained Youth Information Officer or leave us a message and we can get back to you.